Smear merchant John Murtha does it again; Pennsylvania, you have a choice!

By Michelle Malkin  •  October 21, 2008 10:19 AM

Pork-stuffed, troop-slandering, race card-wielding John Murtha has gone and opened his mouth again — removing whatever last iota of doubt there may be about his fundamental character damage.

Here he is trashing the western part of his state as “redneck” bigots after non-apologize-apologizing for suggesting they were all RAAAACISTS last week.

I repeat: Why, why, why is this man still in office?

Pennsylvanians need to know they have a choice.

I have been blogging for more than a year about the candidacy of stellar GOP upstart candidate William Russell.

In July, I wrote a column about Bill — dubbing him the man who could topple John Murtha.

Many of you have already pitched in with donations and support.

Redouble your efforts!

Stand up.

Bill weighs in on Murtha’s latest smear:

Democratic Rep. John Murtha said Monday some of his constituents in western Pennsylvania are “rednecks” and the entire region just five to 10 years ago was “really redneck.”

The comments come one week after he called his own constituents “racist” in an interview with his local newspaper.

“What I said, that indicted everybody, that’s not what I meant at all. What I mean is there’s still folks that have a problem voting for someone because they are black,” Murtha said.

Murtha said the history of southwestern Pennsylvania is teeming with racism. “This whole area, years ago, was really redneck,” he told WTAE-TV Pittsburgh.

Murtha, a Democrat, apologized last week for calling the area “racist,” but challenger Bill Russell said it was a reckless insult to the people in his district and the “cheapest of cheap shots.”

Russell, an Iraq war veteran, swiftly put out a 30-second Web video on Murtha’s quote and plastered his Web site with references to it, using it as a fundraising pitch with 19 days to go until the Nov. 4 election.

“It shows once again how much he has lost touch with our constituents,” Russell told FOXNews.com on Thursday. “A lot of people are ticked off. It’s just one more issue that is ticking off a lot of our constituents and why so many of them feel it is time for a change.”

Murtha has held his seat for 17 terms, and Democrats outnumber Republicans by two-to-one in the state’s 12th District—but Russell, a first-time candidate, said the latest development should give him a boost.

Russell, a 28-year Army veteran who recently retired, has been railing against Murtha, also a veteran, for calling for the withdrawal of troops in Iraq and for voting for the financial bailout package.

“We’re very much running a race and it may or may not have occurred to him yet,” Russell said.

Posted in: John Murtha

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  2. The College Politico » Blog Archive » Why does the rest of Pennsylvania like Democrats?
  3. Murtha Calls Western Pa. 'Redneck/Racist' But Only The Old People | BigMouthFrog
  4. The Nose On Your Face » Murtha Attempts to Clarify Again: “Pennsylvanians Are Toothless Cousin-Humping Mongoloids”
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  9. If you build it, they will come | Scott Allan's World

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Comments


  1. #508496
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:22 am, et said:

    Murtha is the true face of the democrat party not Obama.

  2. #508502
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:26 am, Misscheryl said:

    I repeat: Why, why, why is this man still in office?

    aaahh because they keep voting for him. I’ll venture that his constinuents aren’t racist or rednecks – they are just dumb.

  3. #508506
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:27 am, uhangtight said:

    these are the acts of a man that has been in power way too long; and, feels as though he owns the seat and nothing can pry it from his hands. i sure hope the voters in his district will set him straight, that he serves at their pleasure. vote the bum out.

  4. #508518
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:33 am, diggafromdover said:

    Every time Murtha opens his fat trap, I feel compelled to send Bill Russell money. Now he takes paypal! Excellent…

  5. #508519
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:35 am, Flyoverman said:

    The unfortunate thing is the voters will probably send Murtha back.

    Misscheryl is correct in implying you cannot cure stupid.

  6. #508520
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:35 am, md1964 said:

    Corrupt Yellow Stain Murtha is at the Top of my list of those I am going to celebrate being voted out someday…

    He just Squeaks by Lindsey “effiminate” Graham on that list… Yes, I am a Loud Person, and evidently a “Biggot” in his mind because I believe in that strange idea that the Rule of Law should be enforced. Guess I am odd to believe that, in my own country.

  7. #508521
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:36 am, dustoffmom said:

    Does anyone have a handle on how Russell is doing? I have searched numerous times trying to find polls on this race….and have been unable to find anything. Is Murtha winning? shudder!

  8. #508524
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:37 am, rike101 said:

    Why is Murtha still in office???

    For the same reason that Barney Frank can have an escort service run out of his home and get re-elected.

    For the same reason that Gerry Studds could have sex with an underage page and get re-elected.

    I could go on…

  9. #508529
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:38 am, cicerokid said:

    Murtha. That dog don’t hunt.

  10. #508533
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:42 am, changer1701 said:

    I’ve heard that Murtha is well ahead in this race and its listed as safe…it boggles the mind how that could possibly be, but it is a Dem district, and all this stuff Murtha is saying, all his prok, just serve as resume enhancers to them.

  11. #508534
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:43 am, vincerobo said:

    JohnMurtha keeps getting in office because:

    1. The area is heavy democractic.
    2. All they look foward to is the pork.
    3. They do not keep up with what is going on.
    4. All they look foward to is the pork.
    5. Etc, Etc, . . .

  12. #508537
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:45 am, MarcoPolo said:

    Every time Murtha opens his fat trap, I feel compelled to send Bill Russell money. Now he takes paypal! Excellent…

    Good for you. I have worked on a couple of small campaigns, and if more people would simply put a little money where their mouths are, our electoral system would be much better.

  13. #508543
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:49 am, Misscheryl said:

    cicerokid said:
    Murtha. That dog don’t hunt.

    but this one will:

    http://www.akc.org/breeds/black_tan_coonhound/index.cfm

    ok, sorry, enough of that.

  14. #508548
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:53 am, madmonkphotog said:

    As I posted last night at hotair,

    Redneck is a code word for racist.

    Redneck is a code word for racist.

    Redneck is a code word for racist.

    Redneck is a code word for racist.

  15. #508551
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:55 am, fluffy said:

    I gave a small donation.

    My Democratic representative doesn’t even have an opponent. I want to do

    something

    to clean up the House.

  16. #508553
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:56 am, henryinga said:

    The dems have learned that the public can be swayed by the polls, hence they inflate the poll numbers, and “WALLA” the stupid jerks vote for the incumbent slime.
    All of their fore fathers from 1492 have voted democrat, so they do, too. They’re not rednecks, for even us real rednecks have sense enough to pay attention to the person running for office. No, slime ball Murtha’s constituents are just plain stupid and dumb. Not all of them, of course; just the ones who keep sending him back to Washington.

  17. #508554
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:56 am, pueblo1032 said:

    I sent a small(very) donation to BILL’S campaign, and I don’t even live in PA… MURTHA has wore out his welcome with AMERICA a long time ago… I do believe RUSSELL can finally get the job of unseating this MAGGOT done… GOOD LUCK BILL!!!

  18. #508556
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:56 am, fluffy said:

    oops, wrong tag.

    I want to do something to prove I know how to use the interwebs.

  19. #508558
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:57 am, NJ-Aviator said:

    Yup. I pitched in. I hope he ousts Murtha, that embarrassment to America.

  20. #508562
    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:59 am, brad_sk said:

    Bill Russel for WIN. Good luck Bill

  21. #508564
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:00 am, CJ said:

    Hey, maybe the people of his district like being a national joke. Everyone needs to feel special.

    Seriously, has anyone looked at a map of his district? Talk about gerrymandering! They took every medium-sized city in a predominantly rural area and strung them together.

  22. #508566
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:00 am, Lan Astaslem said:

    Nobody seems to be bothering to poll this race, since it was long assumed to be a lock for Murtha. There’s this very unscientific poll on the status of the race:

    John Murtha (D) is trying to hold off a challenge from Bill Russell (R) in the 12th Congressional District of PA. This is a seat that was once considered safe for the Democrats but is looking like it may be moving to a toss-up. There has been little polling done in the district since the challenge was not expected to have much of a chance. But Murtha’s continuing to lose popularity in parts of the district and may be in danger of losing a seat he has held for over 30 years. PTT’s polling currently shows this rate at a statistical dead heat with Bill Russell actually having a slight advantage, at 47.4% to Murtha’s 44.3%. There are still a number of undecided voters and the difference is technically within the margin of error. This is very good news for Republicans trying to pick up a long-held Democratic seat.

    Looks like there is hope yet. The $ is rolling in to Russell’s campaign, and if he can get some air-time and get his message out, Murtha may be one unhappy camper in a few weeks!

  23. #508569
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:01 am, granite said:

    Yep.

    I also sent Bill Russell some bucks the other day.

  24. #508577
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:04 am, JustAThought said:

    Hey, Pennsey Voters, you listening? Paying any attention whatsoever? That’s YOUR elected Congressman talking about YOU, the people that put him in Washington. Isn’t nice to know that he has such appreciation and high regard of his subjects.. uh.. correction, Constituents?

  25. #508582
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:06 am, Truesoldier said:

    Let’s see there is Gaffe prone Biden, John Keery’s botched stuck in Iraq joke, Al Gore’s I invented the internet and now Murthat’s many Gaffes.

    Hmmm do you see a pattern here?

  26. #508589
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:10 am, expat said:

    The dems have learned that the public can be swayed by the polls, hence they inflate the poll numbers, and “WALLA”viola the stupid jerks vote for the incumbent slime.

    Fixed it for you. :)

  27. #508590
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:10 am, PKAmmoTroop said:

    Biden/Murtha ‘12

    NOW are you ready to talk Term Limits?

  28. #508594
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:15 am, tommad said:

    The dems have learned that the public can be swayed by the polls, hence they inflate the poll numbers, and voila the stupid jerks vote for the incumbent slime.

    Fixed again….

  29. #508596
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:15 am, granite said:

    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:10 am, expat said:

    …viola the stupid jerks vote for the incumbent slime.
    Fixed it for you.

    Ummm…typo?
    FWIW, I believe it is voila, not the string instrument “between” the violin and the cello.

  30. #508606
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:20 am, mngirl said:

    Does anyone know where you can find an accurate – or any – poll on this race that is not fiction? Powerline had one but then they had to do a TBD on it.

    How is Russell doing?

  31. #508608
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:21 am, RetFireman said:

    Why is he still in office? Why wouldn’t he be? The only thing wrong with him is that he speaks the things that all the rest of the Democrats merely think. Just look at the trolls here as a prime example. They have no problem hiding behind their annonimosity and calling all of us “ignorant”, “redneck”, “racist”, and a few other choice words without the slightest bit of evidence and completely oblivious to their own Party mandated hypocrisy.

    When one goes through comments and statements by the Dems, one will not take too long before discovering who the real racists and ignorant are. Just the entire philosophy behind Political Correctness and Affirmative Action alone demonstrates just how racist and ignorant they all are.

    So again I ask, why would they want to oust him? He is their greatest spokesman who says outloud that which they are only allowed to think to themselves.

  32. #508610
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:22 am, mchristian said:

    PKAmmoTroop said:
    Biden/Murtha ‘12

    NOW are you ready to talk Term Limits?

    With whom? Do you think that people who start running for re-election as soon as an election is over will write laws that put them out of a job? I do not.

  33. #508618
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:25 am, granite said:

    #31On October 21st, 2008 at 11:21 am, RetFireman said:

    The only thing wrong with him is that he speaks the things that all the rest of the Democrats merely think.

    He is their greatest spokesman who says outloud that which they are only allowed to think to themselves.

    Well said.

  34. #508637
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:36 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:37 am, rike101 said:
    Why is Murtha still in office???

    For the same reason that Barney Frank can have an escort service run out of his home and get re-elected.

    For the same reason that Gerry Studds could have sex with an underage page and get re-elected.

    I could go on…

    For the same reason that Ted Kennedy could abandom a young woman to a slow agonizing death…

    Well, that’s three from my state, thanks for the painful reminders. It’s always good to have one’s nose rubbed in it just before lunch, kills the smell of cafeteria food. :)

  35. #508638
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:36 am, William Amos said:
  36. #508655
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:41 am, frostrt said:

    If you consistently insult the people you count on to vote for you, you might be a DOOFUS.

  37. #508681
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:48 am, Auggie Dog said:

    I repeat: Why, why, why is this man still in office?

    Funny, As a lifelong resident of Assachusetts I have asked that same question about a million times about both Kennedy, and Kerry. I still don’t have an answer. Only conclusion I have ever come up with is most people in this state don’t even bother to vote. They all gave up a long time ago. When I ask, people say, why bother. Conservatives and Republicans have thrown in the towel. Problem is, the libs are crossing the border and have completely infected the great state of New Hampshire. New England has a cancer and there is no cure.

  38. #508686
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:50 am, nyc123me said:

    Brilliant illustration of BDS – these dems are so full of BDS they’ll vote for someone who views them as racist rednecks rather than vote Republican.
    They’ve got what they deserve.

  39. #508697
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:53 am, dan708 said:

    Open mouth, insert foot. Nice job Porky!

    Seriously, if he doesn’t get booted by Mr. Russell this time, that western PA district will only be confirming what Murtha said about them.

  40. #508715
    On October 21st, 2008 at 11:59 am, Mister P said:

    Murtha, of the demogogue party. I swear that is what I read.

  41. #508730
    On October 21st, 2008 at 12:06 pm, PKAmmoTroop said:

    John Wayne is on TCM right now.

    It’s off topic, but my soul feels so much cleaner :)

  42. #508735
    On October 21st, 2008 at 12:08 pm, Ralph Gizzip said:

    What Murtha fails to realize is that people aren’t going to vote for Obama because they’re racist. They’re not going to vote for Obama because they’re not stupid.

  43. #508740
    On October 21st, 2008 at 12:13 pm, Elm Creek Smith said:

    Leftist code words:

    On October 21st, 2008 at 10:53 am, madmonkphotog said:
    As I posted last night at hotair,

    Redneck is a code word for racist.

    Republican = racist
    ignorant = racist
    uneducated = racist
    hick = racist
    hillbilly = racist
    cowboy = racist
    flyover = racist
    country = racist
    patriot = racist
    military = racist
    soldier = racist
    Marine = racist

    And they call Murtha and Kerry “heroes,” and they call Fat Ted an “elder statesman.”

    ECS (= racist)

  44. #508753
    On October 21st, 2008 at 12:20 pm, greenfairie said:

    I can throw all the money that I want into a race but there’s no amount of money that can cure stupidity or selfishness.

  45. #508765
    On October 21st, 2008 at 12:27 pm, Misscheryl said:

    Misscheryl = racist

  46. #508767
    On October 21st, 2008 at 12:27 pm, Misscheryl said:

    As a lifelong resident of “Assachusetts”

    Now THAT was funny

  47. #508775
    On October 21st, 2008 at 12:33 pm, FamilyMan said:

    FamilyMan= racist

  48. #508888
    On October 21st, 2008 at 1:35 pm, bilgerat said:

    hockey mom= racist

  49. #508889
    On October 21st, 2008 at 1:36 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On October 21st, 2008 at 12:06 pm, PKAmmoTroop said:
    John Wayne is on TCM right now.

    Well Pilgrim, ya didn’t even tell us what Duke movie was playing…………

    A man’s gotta know, ya know….

  50. #508891
    On October 21st, 2008 at 1:36 pm, bilgerat said:

    bilgerat=racist

  51. #508932
    On October 21st, 2008 at 1:58 pm, rooster said:

    I have said it before on this blog; LTC Bill Russell volunteered to go outside the wire on a mission with a Marine Artillery section. And he was an Army officer with the Big Red One! He did this during the Battle of Fallujah, one of the most dangerous times during our time in Iraq.
    God bless honest and dedicated Joe’s like Bill Russell.

  52. #509045
    On October 21st, 2008 at 2:53 pm, CO2 Producer said:

    Do they cling to their guns and religion, or are they just bitter in western PA?

  53. #509386
    On October 21st, 2008 at 5:05 pm, William Amos said:

    On Bill Russells site it says he will be on Hannity and Colmes tonight

  54. #509518
    On October 21st, 2008 at 6:15 pm, RetFireman said:

    Oh, I see. I don’t get to be a racist. Fine. You can keep your trendy little club. I didn’t want to be a member anyway.

    I’m taking my ball, bat and first base and I’m going home. (stomp…stomp…stomp…SLAM)

  55. #509642
    On October 21st, 2008 at 8:34 pm, Lucifer Jones said:

    Thanks for the reminder to contribute. Go Bill!

  56. #509665
    On October 21st, 2008 at 9:11 pm, keystone said:

    MissCheryl #2: “…his constinuents aren’t racist or rednecks – they are just dumb.”

    Doesn’t “redneck” imply dumb backwoods hick? ;)

    If he is voted back into office, I will be embarrassed for my state.

  57. #510032
    On October 22nd, 2008 at 9:58 am, SGTjack said:

    If the voters in that district return Murtha to office, they will be the laughingstock of the nation. Nobody respects people who refuse to respect themselves.

  58. #511253
    On October 22nd, 2008 at 5:33 pm, KVal57 said:

    Ever been to Johnstown, PA.? They don’t care what the real world thinks of them. They THRIVE on Murtha’s pork. I have donated to Bill Russell’s campaign, and wish him luck. Just don’t count out Murtha yet.

  59. #511649
    On October 23rd, 2008 at 5:54 am, William Amos said:

    YAHOO !

    Democratic Rep. John Murtha leads retired Army Lt. Col. William Russell by a little more than 4 percentage points, within the Susquehanna Poll’s 4.9-point margin of error.

  60. #512822
    On October 23rd, 2008 at 8:28 pm, xblade said:

    If the voters in that district return Murtha to office, they will be the laughingstock of the nation. Nobody respects people who refuse to respect themselves.

    Why should they feel differently about Murtha than they feel about Obama, another racist IMHO? Much of the nation is quite content to vote him into office, so why should they laugh at Pennsylvanians for doing the same?

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Squeal.


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