Rep. John Murtha Endorses Hillary Clinton

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:36:14 PM EST
Tags: Pennsylvania '08, Hillary Clinton (all tags)

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Via the Washington Post:

Rep. John P. Murtha has announced his endorsement of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, bringing his clout as a 17-term member of the House and a prominent anti-war Democrat to bear with more than a month until the primary here in his home state.

“Sen. Clinton is the candidate that will forge a consensus on health care, education, the economy, and the war in Iraq,” Murtha wrote in a statement about his decision.

As to what convinced him:

“Her experience and careful consideration of these issues convinced me that she is best qualified to lead our nation and to bring credibility back to the White House,” Murtha said. He said he “whole-heartedly” recommends Clinton to all voters in his state.

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Rep. John Murtha Endorses Hillary Clinton | 55 comments (55 topical)

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So much for the Obamameme (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by Cream City on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:41:21 PM EST

that Clinton isn't getting any new super-delegates.

Wow (5.00 / 3) (#2)
by Kathy on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:41:43 PM EST

What a nice endorsement. That's got to mean a lot to Clinton. I know it means a lot to me.

Take that! (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by cmugirl on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:45:23 PM EST

Nancy Pelosi!

That's exactly (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by waldenpond on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:46:51 PM EST

what I was thinking.


Me too (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by kenoshaMarge on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:51:49 PM EST

I thought that Pelosi and Murtha were BFF. Well, not to say they still aren't but bet Pelosi is not happy about Murtha not following her lead.


: Murtha answers to no one (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by shoephone on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:59:44 PM EST

He has always taken his own road and not cared about pretty politics.

: Pelosi (none / 0) (#44)
by criticalthinker on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 10:34:04 PM EST

WSJ has an interesting article about Sen. Obama's "billionaire money maven" Penny Pritzker on Mar 15-16, 2008.
Penny Pritzker is the national finance chairman for Sen. Obama's campaign. She has become a powerful force in the primaries.
"The Pritizker family has long been active in Democratic politics. Growing up in northern California,....Ms. Pritzker watched her mother stuff fundraising envelopes for Nancy Pelosi..."
Hmmmm, I can imagine a phone call from Ms. Pritzker to Pelosi about the good old days of stuffing envelopes, and would you please endorse Sen. Obama.
This is totally my imagination.

Will Nancy Switch? (none / 0) (#46)
by CMU PhD on Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 01:17:53 AM EST

Does that mean Nancy Pelosi will change her mind and endorse Hillary? She's the highest ranking democrat right now right.

I think she's just jealous she can't be president.


This is her second SD today (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by cmugirl on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:48:55 PM EST

Pat Maroney of WV endorsed her earlier today.

http://thepage.time.com/2008/03/18/clinton-gets-first-post-ohiotexas-public-superdelegate-commitment /

Sorry about the link (none / 0) (#7)
by cmugirl on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:49:36 PM EST

Halperin has the story about Pat Maroney (SD) from WV endorsing HRC today.


: Willing to (none / 0) (#12)
by waldenpond on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:54:08 PM EST

work for her for the June 3 primary?

Awesome! (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by proudliberaldem on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:49:07 PM EST

Yeeah.... (5.00 / 5) (#10)
by Stellaaa on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:53:04 PM EST

Oh, now they will tell you that Murtha is a war mongering pork barreller. Just you watch. They will diminish the fact that he stood up against the war.

LOL! (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by tek on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:05:05 PM EST

KO (none / 0) (#34)
by waldenpond on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:11:05 PM EST

KO did!


: Really? (none / 0) (#37)
by Robot Porter on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:25:25 PM EST

C'mon ... really?

YES! Smart, smart man. (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by vicsan on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:53:38 PM EST

Thank you, Congressman Murtha!

Good credentials: (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by oculus on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:58:55 PM EST

As a retired Marine Corps colonel and the first combat veteran of Vietnam elected to serve in Congress

: Very Happy... (none / 0) (#18)
by AmyinSC on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:03:04 PM EST

To see this!

Excellent endorsement (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by stillife on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:01:25 PM EST

I respect John Murtha a great deal.

I was also pleased to see this:

An open letter from the Out of Iraq Caucus

My Congressman, Ed Towns, is on that list. I sent him a nice e-mail.

A fellow Viet Nam Veteran (5.00 / 3) (#22)
by macwiz12 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:05:33 PM EST

I was on a carrier in the Tonkin Gulf when Senator McCain went into the lake in Hanoi. The first time I voted was by absentee ballot from that same carrier in September 1968. I have never voted for a Republican for president.

The real problem is that I now live in Florida. I did not vote for either Senator Obama or Senator Clinton last January. I WILL vote for whoever is the Democratic party candidate. The sad thing is that for some strange reason my party is trying to figure out how to lose this election. The state of Florida has 27 electoral votes, eight more than Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina COMBINED! More that every state except California, Texas, and New York. I will tell you that if Florida's vote is not counted, you can put those 27 electoral votes in the Republican column. If we are ignored, the votes are gone.

: Hey, Viet vet -- be a snowbird (5.00 / 1) (#28)
by Cream City on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:37:17 PM EST

if you've got any friends with an address in Pennsylvania; you still can register there through March 24.:-)
I was thinking, too, of Murtha being a Viet vet -- like my ex. I know it will mean a lot to him as well.

Obama was against Murtha's redeployment bill (5.00 / 2) (#23)
by shoephone on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:06:52 PM EST

I don't really know anything about this website but the second paragraph includes what may have been an influential moment for Murtha on Obama and the Iraq War.

John Murtha (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by sas on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:21:40 PM EST

is a centrist Democrat from my state, PA, and he's no dummy.

No, he's not a dummy. (none / 0) (#27)
by clio on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:36:47 PM EST

And the timing of this is interesting, to say the least.
What does Murtha know that the rest of us don't?


Yes, it's the timing that makes me wonder. (none / 0) (#31)
by Joelarama on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:08:23 PM EST

I get that it's right before the Penn. primary. But Murtha is a national figure, not just another Pennsylvania superdelegate. Why now? If he wanted to help Hillary earlier, he would have done it earlier. So, it seems he has only just decided.

What made him decide? I think he knows how Pennsylvania voters will respond and are responding to the Wright matter.


Wel, she did give an incredible speech (none / 0) (#40)
by echinopsia on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:35:39 PM EST

yesterday, on Iraq.

It kind of got lost in the kerfuffle over the altar-humping pastor.

But it was pretty impressive. And substantive, and well-informed. I bet it wasn't soaring and eloquent and like MLK, but still, a good speech.


: Good? (none / 0) (#42)
by squeaky on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 10:14:48 PM EST

Too hawkish for me. Looks like we are going be at war for a long time if not in Iraq in Afghanistan, Iran or Red China.

So let me be clear - under my plan, withdrawing from Iraq will not mean retreating from fighting terrorism in Iraq. That's why I will order small, elite strike forces to engage in targeted operations against al Qaeda in Iraq. This will protect Iraqi citizens, our allies, and our families right here at home.
We are not leaving.

Awesome endorsement for Hillary. John Murtha (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by DemBillC on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:31:14 PM EST

is a True Patriot and a War hero. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
This is a former Paris Island drill instructor who knows that Hilary is the best person to be Commander In Chief.

This is a meaningful endorsement (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by andgarden on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:59:58 PM EST

John Murtha has a MACHINE in SW PA. If Obama breaks 30% anywhere but inner-city Pittsburgh, I'll be amazed.

Yes, thank you Mr. Murtha (5.00 / 2) (#38)
by Militarytracy on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:27:33 PM EST

I personally find it odd how many old soldiers are onboard with Clinton. I'm onboard with her for different reasons than my husband and friends are. It isn't because they believe she's a hawk, noppity nope nope. It's because of withdrawl starting 60 days after she takes office but she doesn't put our soldiers at risk because she doesn't say who, what, when, where, or how much. Only that this is the direction we will taking and she doesn't mince words, no maybe or sort of or we'll see. And it's because of no more mercs. Soldiers know leadership when they experience it, particularly right now when their fannies have been on the line and in harms way. At that point there is no mistaking leadership.

My cousins feel the same way (5.00 / 2) (#39)
by Kathy on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:41:05 PM EST

and so does everyone in their respective units. I even saw some Iraqi soldiers on CNN saying they waned Clinton to win.

Can you imagine what it would do to the world for a woman to be leading the strongest country? Think about that--over 51% of the population, whatever color, will finally feel like they have a voice.


: That just gave me chills - in a good way (none / 0) (#41)
by echinopsia on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:38:44 PM EST

This makes (none / 0) (#8)
by Edgar08 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:49:51 PM EST

An Edwards endorsement seem even less unlikely.

I still wouldn't count on it.

how (none / 0) (#13)
by 0 politico on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 06:54:59 PM EST

does that relate to Maroney or Murtha?


: I don't know (none / 0) (#17)
by Edgar08 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:03:01 PM EST

The days Murtha was cheered for on anti-Iraq war blogs is long past.
I don't really think I have that much of an idea what I'm talking about as far as this is concerned.
Probably just wishful thinking.

Unbelievable (none / 0) (#19)
by tek on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:04:26 PM EST

One of the pack came out for Hil. Maybe he's retiring.

Excellent (none / 0) (#20)
by democrat1 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:04:41 PM EST

Thank you John Murtha. I always liked your independence.

Obama was (none / 0) (#30)
by sas on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:05:39 PM EST

12 points behind here in PA before this endorsement. (One poll today, before the endorsement has her up 26. He's going to get pounded here - but I think not by 26).

It will be interesting to see if Murtha's endorsement has any effect.

Slightly off topic - I see Obama is encouraging Repubs and Indies here in PA to change their registration so they can vote in the primary. He may want to stop that. So far I have given out 5 voter registration change forms to Republicans in the last week. They all wanted to change to Democrats so they could vote for Hillary.

: Advertising (none / 0) (#35)
by waldenpond on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:14:04 PM EST

He does this in every state. This time he is actually running commercials. It does not disappoint me that it is recruiting Clinton voters as this has been $#%%ing me off.

Semper Fi (none / 0) (#32)
by Dancing Bear on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:09:02 PM EST

and Boooyah. I am not sure how to spell either of those but I am very pleased with this endorsement.

Wonderful!!! (none / 0) (#33)
by Eddie55 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:09:04 PM EST

Posting at Salon's TableTalk - I was relating that I learned today of Obama's support for Lieberman in 2006. What a hypocrite, I thought to myself and I am overjoyed to hear about Rep. Murtha's endorsement. I have the deepest respect for him.

For me, it's take that - Keith Olbermann.

Great, significant endorsement! (none / 0) (#36)
by NJDem on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:17:58 PM EST

This thing ain't over folks--I don't think Murtha would put his name (and presumably efforts) behind someone he doesn't think CAN win (regardless of whether he 'wants' her to).

This on top of the 30 flag officers--good stuff!

It's been reported that the S-Ds wanted to see the outcome of PA. Well, if that's true, then April 23rd may be pretty interesting if things hold up for her.

Not One Cable Channel covered this news.....? (none / 0) (#43)
by TalkRight on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 10:24:44 PM EST

Is Martha a junior senator.. I remember when Kennedy and Kerry endorsed Obama.... it was played for weeks..

I thought this was big (given his anti-war credentials)

ABC = All Barrack Channel NBC= New Barrack Channel
MSNBC = Mostly sic nasty Barrack Channel CNN = Clinton nitpicking news

Bravo! (none / 0) (#45)
by txchicanoforhillary on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 10:39:18 PM EST

I remember when Arianna Huffington put him on her shoulders when he spoke out against the Iraq war. I sent him a handwritten letter thanking him for his brave stance. Now, I am even more proud of the Honorable Jack Murtha for endorsing Senator Clinton.

Wonder if he will get a marquis spot over at the aforementioned blog? The first Vietnam vet to serve in Congress backs our woman! Pennsylvania could be a landslide for HRC.

An endorsement from (none / 0) (#47)
by Wile ECoyote on Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 05:31:04 AM EST

the King of Earmarks, the prince of No bid contracts, will, hopefully turn a lot of people off.

Murtha is trying to prolong the War On Drugs with his National Drug Intelligence Center, built in his district.

Please read the linked article from the WSJ, it is very good

I knew that venom comes only from Obama supporters (none / 0) (#48)
by TalkRight on Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 08:43:54 AM EST

.... you guys are classic!!!

Malign and tarnish the likes of Murtha .. what else is left.


LOL (none / 0) (#49)
by Wile ECoyote on Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 11:04:05 AM EST

you must be new around here. Murtha has tarnished himself. Please justify his use of earmarks.


There is lot more to Murtha than just the earmarks (none / 0) (#50)
by TalkRight on Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 11:45:05 AM EST

His is a very important anti-war voice... but you would prefer to not to talk that... what's the difference between your talking point and Bill O'Reily's !!


Murtha: (none / 0) (#52)
by Wile ECoyote on Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 01:06:54 PM EST

"I think the 'surge' is working,"

Mr. Murtha has drawn much attention this year, first as he bitterly opposed the legislation requiring disclosure of earmarks, then continued his habit of submitting dozens of requests, most benefiting his hometown of Johnstown, Pa. (He asked for 47 earmarks.)

Firms benefiting from Mr. Murtha's help have given at least $437,000 to his campaign since 2005, with about $110,000 streaming in just before this year's March 16 request deadline.


There are earmarks and then (none / 0) (#54)
by hairspray on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 12:21:36 AM EST

there are earmarks. Some are quite good. Which ones of Murtha do you not like?


If earmarks are so (none / 0) (#55)
by Wile ECoyote on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 06:37:46 AM EST

good, why not submit a bill? I don't like for example his National Drug Intelligence Center.


: Actually the special project "would (none / 0) (#56)
by hairspray on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 08:57:13 AM EST

not happen. Sometimes that is a good thing, but often it is simply pitting one constituency against another for needed projects. Most earmarks are worthwhile and there should be a better way, but the Republicans are for deferred maintenance and the Democrats are for building infrastructure (GOP call them jobs program) and therein lies the rub.

We're talking about John Murtha.... (none / 0) (#53)
by kdog on Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 01:16:08 PM EST

and Wile brings up an important point, and you call him O'Reilly. Whatever.

Murtha has said good things in regards to Iraq, in regards to pork spending he's got one hell of a snout. And look at Wile's link, anybody who supports the tyranny of the war on drugs just so they can get more pork on their plate is what I would call a crooked piker. Just as anyone (Clinton/Obama/McCain) who would support the tyranny of the drug war just so they can get elected is a crooked piker.


You don't know Wile... (none / 0) (#51)
by kdog on Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 12:56:58 PM EST

if he's supporting Obama I'll eat my socks...I'd bet he's a McCain guy.

Way to not address his point though...Murtha has said good things about our disasterous occupation, that doesn't change the fact that he is a pork-whore. His endorsment makes sense...he's an establishment guy backing the more establishment candidate. He doesn't want the pork-train rocked...not that I think Obama would rock it.

And no, I'm not supporting Obama. I'm voting none of the above. You may be surprised to learn some of us don't throw our principles under the bus during election season, we carry them with us always.
