Murtha Caught in Two-Front War

An article published yesterday in the Philadelphia Inquirer details Congressman Murtha's "two-front war" for re-election this November. Politically, Murtha has been recently been under fire from a veterans group campaigning against him for his anti-troops/anti-war statements. "Legally, Murtha faces a lawsuit filed yesterday in federal court in Washington in which a 26-year-old Marine sergeant contends that Murtha defamed him and his unit." And, of course, there is the ever-present third front that he must fight: the increasing popularity and support behind Republican-challenger Diana Irey.

The vets, who founded the site booMurtha.com, were also involved in the 2004 campaign against John Kerry (but they aren't associated with the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth). The Inquirer reported: "In Johnstown today, a group calling itself Vets for the Truth planned to hold a news conference in front of Murtha's congressional office to announce plans for an anti-Murtha rally Oct. 1. Murtha's Republican opponent, Diana Irey, who faces an uphill battle, said in an interview that she, too, was upset by Murtha's comment about the Haditha Marines."

Congressman Murtha is facing alot of problems during his current campaign for re-election. From the re-emergence of his 1980's scandal to defamation suits because of unfounded remarks he made against our troops. Murtha is doing his best to appease the radical left as he sets his sights for a House leadership position.

[Update 8/5/06]

In an article published this morning, Robert Novak reports of Murtha responding to his defamation lawsuit from the Marine sergeant by saying that the soldier was charged in the Haditha killings (when in fact there have been no charges filed to date.) The article, titled "Murtha's Mistake," reads:

Rep. John Murtha, responding Wednesday to a defamation lawsuit filed by a Marine accused of killing Iraqi civilians in 2005, mistakenly said Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich had been "charged in the incident at Haditha." In fact, no charges have been filed against anybody.

Murtha quickly issued a new press release Wednesday deleting "charged" and describing Wuterich as leader of "the squad accused of killing two dozen civilians." The lawsuit accused Murtha of spreading "false and malicious lies" about the sergeant in his May 19 statement which said Marines "killed a number of civilians without anybody firing at them."