The "Big Three" networks’ morning shows all ignored Representative John Murtha’s "the surge [in Iraq] is working" comments during a recent video conference. On the other hand, CNN’s "American Morning," during its 6 am Eastern hour "Political Ticker" segment, covered the Pennsylvania Congressman’s apparent shift in opinion.
Murtha, who became a bit of a media darling for his anti-Iraq war stance, recently came back from a trip to Iraq. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette quoted Murtha as saying, "I think the 'surge' is working." Murtha then went on to say that the Iraqis "have got to take care of themselves."
CNN’s John Roberts made the following brief on Murtha’s shift in opinion 43 minutes into the 6 am hour Eastern hour of "American Morning."
ROBERTS: First, he was a hawk, then he was a dove. But now, Democratic congressman John Murtha has changed his mind again apparently. He's just back from Iraq and says the troop build-up there, the so-called surge, is working. His criticism of the war was a driving force for Democrats opposing President Bush.
As recently as July, Murtha, during an interview with Roberts himself on "American Morning," had dismissed the improving situation in Iraq due to the surge. "It's rhetorical is what is getting better. It's over-optimist. It's an illusion."
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Another major flip-flop
November 30, 2007 - 14:00 ET by BlondeThis from the man who called George Bush's perspective on Iraq totally delusional?
What does Her Speakerness have to say, hmmmm?
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
I told you Professor Top....
November 30, 2007 - 14:04 ET by Airforce_5_OSPIN, SPIN, SPIN, SPIN........
Lets see you Spin this one
SPIN, SPIN, SPIN, SPIN........
The only thing you should feel when shooting insurgents is the rifle recoil.
Impeached
November 30, 2007 - 14:09 ET by celatorMurtha, one of the Benedict Arnolds of Congress, should be brought up on impeachment charges as soon as possible.
To me, Big John looks like
November 30, 2007 - 14:10 ET by RackieTo me, Big John looks like he is either evolving from or devolving into an orangutan. Coming or going, he's a duplicitous ass.
Stop insulting orangutans
November 30, 2007 - 14:18 ET by mattmStop insulting orangutans and asses!
Are you calling Murtha a
November 30, 2007 - 14:22 ET by Adam_MEAre you calling Murtha a monkey? Erin Burnett, is that you?
MURTHA...
November 30, 2007 - 14:17 ET by danybhoyMurtha is a crook, this started with the ABSCAM tapes, & he continues to be corrupt to this day. These comments & his military service not withstanding, he's not fit to sit in congress.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
After Republican Senator
November 30, 2007 - 14:45 ET by nythatesusaAfter Republican Senator Richard Lugar said this.....
"In my judgement, the costs and risks of continuing down the current path outweigh the potential benefits that might be achieved. Persisting indefinitely with the surge strategy will delay policy adjustments that have a better chance of protecting our vital interests in the long term."
....NBC News LED with this (quoted from MRC.Org article).....
"'Tonight,' Brian Williams teased, 'is Iraq policy at a tipping point?' With 'Tipping Point?' onscreen, he proceeded to lead his July 9 broadcast with how 'there are signs and signals and indications that a turning point may be nearing on U.S. involvement in the Iraq War' because of defections by Republican Senators."
Lugar
November 30, 2007 - 20:24 ET by ThisnThatIs Lugar a Republican?
Here's what he said on 31 January: "Remaking Iraq, in and of itself, does not constitute a strategic objective."
Here's what he said on 24 January: "I share many of the concerns that led to the Biden-Levin-Hagel resolution. I am not confident that President Bush’s plan will succeed. Militarily, the plan may achieve initial successes. But the premise that clearing and holding high-risk areas of Baghdad will create enough space for an effective political reconciliation is dubious."
Lugar is simply a member of the "Cut-and-Run" club.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
So is murtha tring to get on the good side with the Marines he
November 30, 2007 - 16:53 ET by upcountrywaterSLANDERED!
iranian uranium; iranian uranium, iranian uranium..
So when ARE the Russians going to finish the iranian atoms for peace power plant?
A Marine Saying
November 30, 2007 - 20:26 ET by ThisnThatThere's a saying in the Marines: "There's no such thing as an ex-Marine, or a former Marine. There are only Active Duty Marines and non-Active Duty Marines".
I think Murtha is the one and only exception to this rule.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Murtha must've concluded
November 30, 2007 - 17:17 ET by Chris NormanMurtha must've concluded that since the failure of the Dems "dirge", it's time to praise the "surge".
New Democratic Symbol
November 30, 2007 - 17:46 ET by WoodyMThe Democrats should change their emblem from a donkey to a flip-flop.
Murtha senile again
November 30, 2007 - 17:47 ET by ScrapironOld, Retired and glad of it.
A few hours after regaining his sanity (partially) the democrats have him back on his meds and he's his same old senile self, spouting the same silly anti-american/anti-military stuff. There's no hope for Murtha other than the rubber room or death. Totally crazy people are never cured.
UPDATE
November 30, 2007 - 18:10 ET by JDWHT- Murtha taken to the woodshed
JDW
Sen Clinton: Distinguished Founder of Media Matters
Next, lets hear if from Senator Reid...
November 30, 2007 - 18:40 ET by JayTeeCongress was very insistent, emphatic, demanding that General Petraus Report back to Congress on the Surge in ....what....March ?
Now there is going to be some excellant CSPAN TV to watch when Petraus list the IRAQ war "accomplishments" when that Congressional review takes place.....there may be some non-attendees.....becasue Petraus will be the only one in the Room that will have Credibility.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
Murtha
November 30, 2007 - 18:49 ET by IRRRVERNHe is stilll one of the few in this nation that is considered an EX Marine!! Spit.
Chuck from Tacoma
Murtha is still a bacon soaked, hog rind, ham basted tub of
November 30, 2007 - 19:12 ET by Lame CherryMurtha is still a tub of fat lying lard half rancid and half filled with rat vermin unfit for even maggots.
Now to tell you what I really think of Murtha.
Murtha is responsible for American, Iraqi and British dead. Murtha is responsible for the dead Kurds shelled by Turkey. Murtha is responsible for the dead in Judeans and Neo Syrian Philistines ALL since this bag of political opportunistic drama hacked onto the scene like a phlegm from a diseased Democratic lung.
So Mr. A**hole now says the surge is working. Big deal! Put your money which you raised where your surge is in giving it all to the Iraqi war dead and maimed. How this creature can even show his face in public after the sadistic anti American shrill he spewed only shows what a contemptable anal orafice he is.
He ranks with Tokyo Rose, John Kerry, Jane Fonda and any other asinine malcontents to ever pollute God's green earth.
Resign Murtha, sell all you have and give it to the poor. Give up your body organs for transplants to show some remorse of all the dead and maimed you caused. Then I would believe you had started to be sincere..........AS THE ONLY REASON NOW YOU ARE SAYING THE SURGE IS WORKING SO DEMOCRATS CAN PUT IT BEHIND THEM AS ALL OF IRAQ AND NOT BE DEFEATED BY IT IN 2008!
You are despicable. Morally reprehensible is the definition of despicable and that is the definition of pork barrel Murtha.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Interview
November 30, 2007 - 23:43 ET by Jerry MackSaw his interview with Chris M. today. Sounded like a defeated and straw grasping idiot. Now says real problem is Iraqi government and that it will not be a sccess until the troops leave. Repeated himself many times. Nice to see him squirm.