Boot Murtha: The change America deserves
My column this week revisits the Murtha/Russell match-up. As I’ve mentioned before, I saw Bill Russell at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference in May — and he’s a rock-solid conservative on everything from guns to life to borders to fiscal policy to the war against jihadists. He’s principled. He’s a patriot. The antithesis of corruptocrat Murtha.
This race is winnable. You can help. Send Murtha packing.
Join the Russell Brigade here.
***
Boot Murtha: The change America deserves
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2008
A real referendum on Hope and Change is taking place in western Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district. If the change agent in the race were a Democrat and the status quo defender were a Republican, this battle would be all over the nightly news. The challenger would be heralded as a maverick and photographed with halo effect and angel wings. Instead, the national media has ignored him.
The Democrat candidate in this race has devoted his public career to back-scratching, log-rolling, and self-aggrandizing Beltway politics as usual. The Republican candidate is a fresh-faced newcomer and decorated combat veteran fighting to topple the arrogant old crony. The Democrat candidate supports the pork-stuffed, debt-exploding government bailout for the banking industry. The Republican candidate opposes it. The Democrat candidate supports a raft of illegal alien amnesty measures. The Republican candidate opposes them. The Democrat candidate supports race-baiting campaign rhetoric and contemptuous smears against both American troops and gun-owning, Bible-respecting citizens. The Republican candidate opposes those divisive tactics and reckless slander.
The symbol of everything wrong with Washington is 18-term Democrat Rep. John Murtha, king of congressional pork and infamous Abscam sting target who was videotaped entertaining a $50,000 bribe from undercover FBI agents posing as emissaries for Arab sheiks trying to enter our country illegally in the 1980s. Most recently, the Democrat porkmeister was caught intervening in June on behalf of a law-breaking Pennsylvania company convicted of selling military equiment parts illegally overseas and knowingly violating national security rules.
The champion for Hope and Change is GOP challenger Bill Russell, a Desert Storm veteran, former Army lieutenant colonel and Army reservist who survived the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.
I reported to you in this column on July 23 that Russell is “the man who could topple John Murtha.” (His campaign website is russellbrigade.com.) Victory seemed like a nearly impossible miracle three months ago. Now, Murtha is on the ropes and finally feeling the heat. On Thursday, a new poll by Dane and Associates put Russell ahead of Murtha by 48-35. A separate Susquehanna poll released Wednesday put entrenched incumbent Murtha up by just a little more than 4 percentage points over Russell. That’s within the poll’s 4.9-point margin of error. Murtha’s in so much trouble he decided to cut and run from a scheduled debate with Russell last week.
Lesson: Slander has consequences. Last week, Murtha derided his own constituents as racial bigots. He told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “There’s no question that western Pennsylvania is a racist area.” It’s a sentiment Murtha’s man Barack Obama infamously voiced at a San Francisco fund-raiser in April, when he said small-town Pennsylvanians were “bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.” After initially backing away from his Obama-inspired trashing of Pennsylvania voters, Murtha dug a deeper hole — telling a Pittsburgh television station that “This whole area, years ago, was really redneck.”
Bull. As Pennsylvania political analyst Ryan Shafik at the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research points out, rural central and western Pennyslvania voters turned out in droves to support black GOP gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann in 2006. In fact, Shafik reminds Democrat race-baiters, “the areas populated by conservative whites voted for Lynn Swann. It was the areas filled with moderate-to-liberal whites and large black populations that voted overwhelmingly against Lynn Swann.”
Of course, black Republicans aren’t really black in the eyes of the intolerant Left. Which speaks volumes about the unrepentant prejudices of the race card-players. In the Democrat party, diversity is and always will be only skin deep.
Thanks to word of mouth and grass-roots Internet activism, Russell’s conservative counterinsurgent campaign has succeeded in keeping pace with Murtha’s fundraising. This despite Murtha’s massive advantage in PAC donations, national name recognition, and incumbency perks. Russell’s surge is all the more extraordinary because he was a write-in candidate on active duty until August 1 of this year and unable to actively campaign while completing his military service. Russell jumped into the race after hearing Murtha’s slanderous 2006 accusations that Marines in Haditha “overreacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood.” As I’ve noted previously, seven Marines have been cleared or won case dismissals in the Iraq war incident Murtha recklessly adjudicated in the court of public opinion — with willing mainstream accomplices at The New York Times, MSNBC, and in the world press swinging their nooses to Murtha’s beat.
No wonder the news hounds prefer to keep this race out of the headlines.
Republicans face tough odds across the country. A Russell upset over the nation’s dirtiest Democrat promises a silver lining. Murtha’s constituents are ready to throw the bum out. And not a moment too soon.
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- Time For Murtha To Go, Support Bill Russell « The Barton Bulletin
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- Murtha Calls Western Pa. 'Redneck/Racist' But Only The Old People | BigMouthFrog
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Categories: John Murtha
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I see Russell in the photo with MM and I can only quote Napoleon Dynamite….. LUCKY!
I’ll send a little more do-re-mi over to Russell. Hey Murtha, DLTDHYOTWO! Prayers up.
God knows we need more conservatives in Washington. Most of the Republicans we have there are far from being conservative.Lots of luck.
VOTE
FOR
BILL
Good Luck, LTC Russell. I’d vote for you myself if I could.
Eighteen terms? How sick is that?
Pummel.Murtha.
I live in NJ, so I can’t vote for Russell, but I just donated $50 to his campaign. That was a truly cathartic experience. Crush Murtha and send him packing
“nation’s dirtiest Democrat”??
Tall words, Michelle. I mean, there are SO MANY dirty Democrats in this, the cleanest Congress in 500 years (or something like that) how can you make a statement like that?
Simon,
So am I but it’s so worth every penny if he is sent packing. And isn’t this what grass-roots activism is all about?
All your voters are belong to us.
So am I.So do I. I need a vacation.Luckily for me I head out on Vacation here in a week (though it will take me a few days to get home from Iraq) then it is off to Italy a day after the election (got to make sure my vote is actually counted).
Terrific article, MM!
You covered every reason why Murtha should not be elected – from his dirty dealings to his attacks on our soldiers – and every reason why Bill Russell should be elected – from his military service to his stance on life and border security.
In Bill Russell, Pennsylvanians have a clear choice in this election: they can either make things better not only for themselves but the nation as a whole, by electing Russell; or they can stay the course and continue to have themselves embarrassed and ridiculed on a national stage, by reelecting Murtha!
Go Bill Russel!
Safe journey and thanks for serving.
I have a lot of respect for Jack Welch. He said he wouldn’t hire any of these inept morons from Congress. I believe the thinking is if you can’t do anything, run for Congress.
donated twice. He takes Paypal!
Oops
#12 – Truesoldier
Safe journey and thanks for serving.
Good luck to the colonel in the election may he kick a$$.
I’d like to thank him, Truesoldier and all the military past, present and future for their sacrifices and dedication to this wonderful country…
Thank You All!
I’ll never submit, now or ever!
McCain/Palin ‘08
Just a note and don’t take this the wrong way, but thanking me for my service makes me uncomfortable. It may be just me but I would rather just continue on, no thanks required. Do any other vets feel this way? I know it is important for some, but not for me. Like I said, don’t take it the wrong way…
Rednecks for Russell!!!
Godspeed, Col!
Sent my $25. Go Army!
(And I was in the Navy, but just this once)
Thanks for rubbing my nose in it.
Italy huh? Never been. An ex-boyfriend of mine went and I’ve been meaning to have a picture of Trevi fountain enlarged and framed. Good on you. Have a blast!
sonofdy
No, what you say is understandable. I see my service as an honor and something I was given. It’s funny,I rarely see it as sacrifice, except when I’m confronted with outright ignorance of the situations I was in and any false stories related. There’s quite a bit of discomfort. Then the local high school invites you to an assembly on Nov 11 and you can’t help yourself but feel proud.
Oh and OT…. WE ARE PENN STATE… ahh that felt good….. sorry
#19 – I find that most of the people who thank me are vets themselves. And we all appreciate each other. Every year on Veterens Day, three friends (Army, USMC and USAF) and I (USN) get together and play golf. When we are done, we sit and have a few drinks. Some at the bar try to buy us a round, but we refuse them saying that the true heros are no longer with us.
Can we get a Bill Russell in Massachusetts PLEASE!!!!
Sonofdy, I don’t want, or deserve any praise for being a vet. I served in peacetime. And I did it because I wanted to.
But I always appreciate all war time vets for everything they went through. DAV is the only charity I give to. No one deserves it more.
Is Jim Ogonowski still running against the French looking JON CARY?
Who’s old? Murtha is at least 76 and totally oblivious to reality – plus he is slanderer of US & PA military men/women and God-fearing, gun-owning Americans in PA and around the nation!
I might actually donate to this cause. Send the dumbass packing!
Boot Murtha! Love it.
Semper Fi Bill. Oh! your Army. We’ll vote for ya anyway.
Get that traitor Murtha out of there.
I will love it so much when I see that John Murtha, the disgraceful traitorous former Marine, is no longer on the government payroll.
I pray that Bill Russell wins this congressional seat and is there for a long time! Its about time we clean house, the House of Representatives that is.
I will certainly donate to Russell again from the socialist state of NY.
Gee Michelle you look foxy.
Has anyone noticed that conservative woman always look great?
The poll data posted yesterday that Murtha had a real chance on being booted this time by the voters was inspiring.
Most people I know think this Abscam, troop slandering snake of a man, needs to slither his large backside back into his hole.
A true patriot would never have sullied our troops without proof and denied them the basic rights of liberty and freedom.
Our leaders must have the Sweet Land of Liberty spirit of our heart in theirs.
Neither Obama nor Murtha fit this description.
Hopefully the current generation of voters in Murtha’s district will have more self-respect than the voters that re-elected him back into office after he was an indicted co-conspirator in ABSCAM back in the 70’s.
Thank you Michelle for your support of Bill Russell.
I agree, and from my shared military service with Bill Russell in Germany and Kosovo, he would concur that serving is what he finds most satisfying.
How many Ranger LTCs do any vets or active duty people know that would volunteer for an artillery mission outside the wire in Iraq? As a former Army Artilleryman, he knows that I am not only proud of his action, but a little jealous.
How many Army officers do you think there are in the Army like Russell; that would volunteer to go out on a joint service mission and actually pull tail with some Devil Dog Redlegs, during one of the fiercest battles.. Fallujah? It is fitting and just that Russell is possibly going to unseat the anti-Marine Murtha.
To me, Bill Russell is not just words or speeches, he walks the walk and talks the talk about real leadership.
Go Russell!
sonofdy, I understand your point well. I volunteered for the Airborne to go to Iran (way back then) and ended up not going anywhere much, doing anything much. The true heroes served before me and after me. Hearty well done to all fighting the scumbags. They know who they are.
On October 24th, 2008 at 12:23 pm, FamilyMan said:
It’s because they aren’t angry and can smile. It’s because they don’t hate other beautiful women out of jealousy. It’s because they aren’t out to destroy men through feminism.
It may just be me, but I even think liberal women physically age faster than conservatives. Long-term anger has a destructive effect on those that carry it.
What is inside eventually ends up on the outside.
Have you contacted your local ACORN office? I’m sure they can help…
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the – Web Reconnaissance for 10/24/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often.
LOL… Touche!!
I’m in Louisiana, so finding an ACORN office would be quite easy, except that I refuse to be a cheater and a douchebag…
Oh well… at least I can contribute a couple of bucks.
A lasting residue in ‘Operation Chaos’, and my reporting fraud at my caucus station to Team Hillary (McCain had already wrapped it up before Texas)
My Nightmare
Run Colonel Run!
Right up and over that fat tub of traitorous lard (or worse) Murtha! I hope the Colonel hits him so hard the FTTL won’t see daylight until 2012!
in the words of general patton, grab him by the nose and kick him in the a$$.
Simon, I live in Jersey too. And like you I sent some cash in. Twice.
It’s great when a candidate like Russell gets support from inside and outside, not only his district, but his state!
Kick…Murtha’s…Sorry…A$$
If you live in NJ’s 12th CD, vote for Alan Bateman (R) and oust Rush Holt(D) who has fought -against- our troops every step of the way.
I have always regarded Michelle as breathtakingly beautiful. Is it okay to use this thread to post that sentiment? Nice picture of you, Michelle! You are gorgeous inside and out!
NJ-Aviator,
I do live in the 12th and I’m on the same page as you.
And sorry for injecting the NJ 12th CD into this thread, but we need some help here too, in The Liberal Republic of NJ.
Alan Bateman is a conservative fighting the liberal incumbent Rush Holt. Holt, who says he’s a moderate actually is the 25th most liberal congressman in Washington according to statistics on his votes.
Here’s Mr. Bateman’s web site
http://www.batemanforcongress.com/solutions.html
If you line in the NJ 12th CD, make sure you get to know his record. He needs support.
Again. sry for the diversion. But this is another one we can win.
Sonofdy #19; MNUSMCDavid #23, Simon 86 #25, Auggie Dog #26; Rooster #36, and b-cat #37:
Gosh, I just love you guys. I, too, am somewhat uncomfortable hearing a thanks from my fellow Americans because I have always believed the Air Force gave me so much more than I could ever give it. I will be having an adult beverage in your honor on Vets Day.
On October 24th, 2008 at 12:01 pm, Ed Mahmoud abu al-Kahoul said:
Ogonowski seems to have dropped out of the news; the last press release posted at his website is dated 03rd June 2008. In it he says that he’ll be on the ballot in November. I can’t find anything dated later than that.
The official Republican challenger is Jeff Beatty; the latest Rasmussen poll has Kerry ahead of Beatty 65% to 30%. Big surprise that; Beatty is a relative unknown, though his credentials look pretty solid. For example, despite his initial opposition to the war in Iraq, he recognizes that pulling out would be a mistake; per his website:
If anyone’s interested, you can read more about his stand on various issues at his website.
We can hope, but the odds are really long; most people here seem to rely on the media, or simply go by name recognition.
PS – in lieu of booting Jon Cary here in the Bog State, booting Murtha will provide some consolation.
Not that we’re giving up.
Funny considering ACORN’s National HQ is in Louisanna I believe.
I don’t care for Mr. Murtha’s politics, but honesty has got to be the hallmark of the Conservative, and I’ve got to say that in this instance of saying racism is a factor here in Western PA, he’s right.
I’m a Black man who grew up here, and while Black adults had warned me about it, and I did experience my share of racially motivated incidents growing up, I didn’t realize how bad it was until I traveled to larger cities like Chicago, Philadelphia and New York.
Yes, those areas have their problems, but to say Western Pennsylvania doesn’t have a serious, serous problem with racism would be a flat out lie. Between black and white and asian and latin and all the caucasian Europeans there is hate and distrust based solely on ethnicity.
My whole life is based on fighting this stuff, so I am well acquainted with it.
To those folks still living in New Jersey; You should be even more conserned with your representatives on the State and local levels. There seems to be no end to the raising of your taxes in every aspect. Plus, the insane idea that you need affordable housing in EVERY neighborhood. I grew up in Bergan Co. back when it was run by Republicans. Last time I went to Garden State Plaza (a very big mall in Paramus, land of the mall), I thought I had entered the third world. Must be great for the businesses in there. How did this happen? Liberalism!
#53 – Amen. Every election I do my best, but I am just outnumbered by all the mindless drones that just push the button with the “D” at the end of the person’s name because its what they have always done.
Girls only like guys with skills. Nunchuk skills.
With all due respect if you are under 45 you have been taught everything is racism by your leaders, Sharpton, Jackson, Wright and any other race baiters you rely on to tell you how bad America is because you are black. I have been with a black woman for the las 2 years, deep in Mississippi and neither one of us has had any subtle or overt racist attitude directed towards either of us.
As a former metro Detroit area resident I can tell you that racist views are alive and well in the once great city of Detroit….Blacks appear to have the market cornered on being predjudiced towards anyone not black, again this is thanks to your leaders, Sharpton, Jackson, Wright and now Odumbo!
You cite these cities as better than rural Pa? Yea, now everyone really believes you….(sarc on)
RE Ogonowski:
Pretty sure Beatty challenged his signatures so he wouldn’t have to fight an ugly primary race, and Ogonowski didn’t get enough to qualify.
Voting Beatty over JFrancoisK
Also, Michelle is stunning. You are clearly lying about your stated age in order to make some crazy “experience” argument. And possibly milk more valuable BDay gifts >_>.
M = Military Porker
U = Underminer of Truth/Justice
R = Repulsive Earmarker
T = Tax and Spender
H = Hall of Fame Liberal
A = Annoying Shell of a “man”
Nuff said.
NOSTRADAMUSLIVES by Jeff Schrembs
http://www.jeffschrembs.com
FirstSkirt #49, Sonofdy #19; MNUSMCDavid #23, Simon 86 #25, Auggie Dog #26; Rooster #36, and b-cat #37:
Please consider this!
It’s because you are humble and unassuming and you are not seeking glory that you demur when someone says Thank You. BUT…we who have not been able to serve *really want and need* to show this gratitude to you who have, in fact, served so honourably.
There is an indebtedness which can never be repaid; in my small way, prayers are regularly said, donations given ( the DAV is the Best!), and yes, I do want to say a verbal Thanks whenever possible.
Maura,
Those before us, those now and we served to uphold the rights of the citizens of the United States. The fact that this blog is open..and yes, even the Daily Kos, proves that we did our duty. But your post was very eloquent and I’m sure we are all thankful that you appreciate us. Unlike like that SOB Murtha. Have a great weekend.
On October 24th, 2008 at 4:10 pm, rooster said:
On October 24th, 2008 at 2:38 pm, Mark La Roi said:
Yes, those areas have their problems, but to say Western Pennsylvania doesn’t have a serious, serous problem with racism would be a flat out lie.
I’m 38 and your comments are confusing to me. First, I clearly said I’m conservative, so why would I look to any of those men for “leadership”? Second, I am my own man and just because I’m Black doesn’t mean I need a leader. Your comment is insulting along that vein because it is exactly the same kind of stereotyping that I must deal with every single day here. This area has a lot to offer, but prejudice like what you just displayed comes with it.
If you take the time to get to know people from a wider area, you’ll find that racism is more prevalent today in much of the Northeast than the South.
Yes, I am quite familiar with that fact.
The racism dripping from your keyboard as you call these men my “leaders” has just made me lose interest in this conversation. My leader is Jesus Christ. My own pastor, though I give him great respect and due obedience, isn’t my “leader”. Your view of Blacks is screaming through your stereotyping. You should move here, your attitude would fit in well.
Way too many Blacks are and are enabled by the Liberal White Guilt Cult.But until I know otherwise I take a man at his word. At the moment I am working for a group trying to convince Michael Steel to look at the possibility of a national run. Not for the good of blacks, latinos or whites–America.
Way too many people I still consider friends are convinced I am into “Latino” issues-Amnesty McCain being the biggie. My real irritation is patronizing whites who are convinced I do not know myself.What in the hell does THAT mean?
Ever hear of “You Don’t Speak for Me”? Do a web search and you will see just how good looking I really am.
Good bye, I don’t need this crap.
–
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
I did forget
Yes, Help Bill Russell Boot Murtha: The change America deserves (even if he is a white guy-we did wear the same uniform-green)
very cool!
I came of age in 78 (graduated from a 5 year program at Purdue) and the military was shrinking. Also being a female engineer, I didn’t really consider the military as an option (got married at the time, too). Looking back, probably the military might have been a better choice than the husband. However I digress, I ADMIRE anyone who chose the military for any reason. Reagan taught me to be a patriot (having come of age after we voluntarily lost in vietnam). Then 9/11 happened, and we went to war to prevent more attacks on our soil. Now I am deeply indebted to those volunteers who serve our country, AND our first responders here at home. I am too old and out of shape to serve today, but I can write checks. I support Ollie North’s Freedom Scholarship fund and the Disabled vets, too. But I digress.
I have been sending $200 bucks every couple of weeks to Russell’s campaign. Everytime Murtha opens his big fat mouth, I donate more. I am glad my investment is paying off. This will feel as sweet as when we defeated Daschle finally.
Sorry if you can’t see the trees for the forest. But you are 38 and have been taught your whole life how racist white people are. Even if you don’t subscribe to the race baiters theology, you need only open a Jet, Ebony, or listen to Tom Joyner on the radio. I only say your leader because of blacks ability to rally as one behind a cause they believe in. Rarely have I met a conservative black who has a view of white America like you have, that wide swaths of the country are here just to intimidate you because you are black. I believe you don’t support many of the race baiters views, but, how many prominent blacks hold the alleged black leaders accountable for their words and deeds. Jena 6, Freddies fashion market,etc.
Again sorry if you believe that I am a racist, I am not and I am sick of the race baiters that are perpetually trying to make America feel guilty for its past. Like Barrack said, he was only 8 when his pal Ayers was bombing, well my family didn’t immigrate here until after the civil war. I had nothing to do with slavery or the plight of the black communities accross the nation.
That’s OK, Johnny. Pay no attention to the mean conservatives. Just keep digging. You can stop when you get to 6′.
If you get tired, just lie down, make yourself comfortable and take a nap…a niiiiiice long nap. I’ll bring the flowers and the headstone. 
New William Russell Ad
This will help!
There are those who think the article (linked above) is satire. I guess not getting that satire is satire is code for racism, or something.
Maura #61: How eloquent your post! I will add your name to my prayer list–inside of us, your verbal thank you is deeply, deeply appreciated.
karenhasfreedom #67: Thanks, karen, for your excellent post as well. I’ve met many patriots who quietly through gracious giving defend our constitution and love our country deeply, profoundly, who have never worn a uniform–you are one of these unsung heroic Americans. I toast both you ladies!!!