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John P. Murtha

579 bytes removed, 21:22, 17 September 2007
CP: sections
==Record and controversies==
===Environmental record===''For more information on environmental legislation, see the [[Portal:Energy and Environment Policy (U.S.)|Energy and Environment Policy Portal]]'' ===Transparency=======Sunlight Foundation website investigation====John Murtha's official website was rated by citizen researchers in February 2007 as part of a survey by the [[Sunlight Foundation]]. The survey evaluated members' sites on whether they provided basic information on their legislative activities, post their legally required disclosures such as on personal finances and travel, and any other information that furthers transparency. John Murtha's site received a 24 (out of 100). A score of 40 was considered passing. [http://www.sunlightlabs.com/research/sites/results/results.php?cid=N00001408 Full results]. ===Voting record==={{Congresspedia voting record}}
===Abscam bribery scandalIraq War===In 1980, Murtha was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the [[Abscam bribery scandal]]. "Murtha was not indicted in the bribes-for-political-favors probe and ultimately cleared of wrongdoing by the {{Iraq War House ethics committee. But his raunchy language and open-ended option to consider a future deal with undercover FBI agents is forever captured on [http://lonestartimes.com/2006/11/14/ videotape]."<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,229382,00.html "Murtha Lashes Out at Dem Leadership Opponent,"] ''Fox News.'' November 14, 2006.</ref>record}}
{{main|Abscam bribery scandal}}<br> ====Views on the 2003 Iraq war====
Murtha voted for the October 10, 2002 resolution that authorized the use of force against Iraq.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/july-dec02/joint_resolution_10-11-02.html "Joint Resolution,"] ''PBS.'' October 11, 2002.</ref> However, he later began expressing doubts. On March 17, 2004, when Republicans offered a "War in Iraq Anniversary Resolution" that "affirms that the United States and the world have been made safer with the removal of Saddam Hussein and his regime from power in Iraq," Murtha called for a recorded vote and then voted against it.
Republicans said that this resolution was intended to demonstrate that those calling for immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq are "out of the mainstream." While Hunter's resolution demanded "the deployment of United States forces in Iraq be terminated immediately," Murtha's resolution included the qualifier that the redeployment take place "at the earliest practicable date" and that a quick-reaction U.S. force would remain in the region in case of emergencies.
====Rep. Jean Schmidt calls Murtha a "coward," misattributes remark to soldier====
The discussion grew heated on November 17, 2005 when during debate on Murtha's resolution, Congresswoman [[Jean Schmidt]], a Republican from Ohio, made a statement attributed to [[w:Danny Bubp|Danny Bubp]], an [[w:Ohio House of Representatives|Ohio state representative]] and Marine Corps reservist, "He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message: that cowards cut and run, Marines never do."
Contrary to what [[Rush Limbaugh]] and [[Tucker Carlson]] have claimed, Bubp was not in Iraq when he spoke to Schmidt, nor has he ever served in the Iraq war.<ref>[http://mediamatters.org/items/200511220016 "Limbaugh, Carlson falsely claimed Marine referenced by Rep. Schmidt is serving in Iraq,"] ''Media Matters.'' November 22, 2005.</ref>
====[[Swift Boat Veterans for Truth]] campaign to unseat Murtha====
In August 2006, the [[Swift Boat Veterans for Truth]], a group of activists that ran ads criticizing Sen. [[John Kerry]] (D-Mass.) during the [[2004 U.S. presidential election]] for exaggerating his [[Vietnam War]] record, announced that it would be turning its sights to Murtha’s 2006 congressional reelection campaign. The organizers announced that they would campaign to unseat Murtha in response to his call for troop withdrawal in Iraq. The campaign is planning to feature rallies, TV ads and an aggressive internet campaign. In a news conference, retired Navy Capt. Larry Bailey said, "I will do my best to 'Swift boat' John Murtha."
Few experts believed that Murtha would have much trouble being reelected in 2006.<ref>Brendan Miniter. [http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/bminiter/?id=110008796 "Dems and the Dark Years,"] ''Opinion Journal.'' August 15, 2006.</ref>
 
===Environmental record===
''For more information on environmental legislation, see the [[Portal:Energy and Environment Policy (U.S.)|Energy and Environment Policy Portal]]''
 
===Transparency===
 
===Abscam bribery scandal===
In 1980, Murtha was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the [[Abscam bribery scandal]]. "Murtha was not indicted in the bribes-for-political-favors probe and ultimately cleared of wrongdoing by the House ethics committee. But his raunchy language and open-ended option to consider a future deal with undercover FBI agents is forever captured on [http://lonestartimes.com/2006/11/14/ videotape]."<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,229382,00.html "Murtha Lashes Out at Dem Leadership Opponent,"] ''Fox News.'' November 14, 2006.</ref>
 
{{main|Abscam bribery scandal}}<br>
===Campaign to become House Majority Leader===
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