U.S. Rep. Murtha Endorses Clinton For President

[Zenlitened]

Source: Reuters

U.S. Rep. John Murtha, a leading congressional opponent of the war in Iraq, on Tuesday endorsed Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, saying her position on the war made her the best candidate to take over the White House.

Murtha, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, which holds a crucial presidential nominating contest next month, said Clinton, a New York senator and former first lady, was best placed to deal with the issues surrounding the war and the economy.

"Senator Clinton is the candidate that will forge a consensus on health care, education, the economy and the war in Iraq," he said in a statement.

(snip)

The endorsement gives Clinton a boost in Pennsylvania, which she hopes to win handily in an effort to catch up with Obama's lead in pledged delegates who determine the Democratic nominee.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-usa-politics-clinton.html

[StevieM]

1. This is terrific news. But how biased of Reuters to bluntly repeat Obama's talking points

that the so-called pledged delegates are what decides the race. It's not like they reflect who got the most votes.

I wonder how long it will take for the Obama people to add Murtha to the ever-growing list of bad human beings who disgracefully have the nerve to support Hillary?

Steve

[Kittycat]

2. Congrats to HRC on her latest endorsement.

However - the PP, You do understand that Supers are not going to overturn the PD vote, right? They just won't.

[StevieM]

4. If Hillary has won the popular vote, won the Electoral College map and won the elected delgate count

then I don't see why the super delegates will feel obligated to give the nomination to Obama simply because he dominated the undemocratic caucuses. He dominated them because he was the establishment candidate and it would be ashame if he further used the establishment's backing to overturn the will of the people.

Steve

[Kittycat]

9. What electoral college map? This is a primary, not the GE.

This is a race for Delegates, plain and simple. And Obama is anything BUT the establishment candidate, and that message came through loud and clear today. Not to mention, Obama is the Grass roots candidate. HRC is the one running on her name and expectation that she should be the nominee without earning it.

[BearSquirrel2]

11. Only someone delusional ...

Only someone delusional or Rovian could claim that Obama is the establishment candidate. The DLC has run the Democratic Party for a long time. Hillary is their gal.

[BrklynGreenDog]

12. Establishment backs Obama

Kennedy, Kerry, Bradley, Pelosi certainly are part of the Democratic establishment. You'd have a hard time convincing even the most delusional that they are not. Obama is establishment and just has a different establishment faction backing him, and not just for altruistic reasons.

DLC is pretty dead, did not have any sway in 2004 campaign (Kerry NOT DLC), and barely gets a mention these days except by conspiracy theorists.

And is it really a recommendation if no high placed ELECTED party members endorse your candidate?

[rch35]

19. The establishment candidate? Are you fucking nuts? (nt)

[People4Change]

16. I'm confused about Murtha's endorsement?

In a June 18th, 2006 interview on Meet the Press, John Murtha
said this:
And if you’re not winning, if you’re losing, and that’s what’s
happening. We’re, we’re—when I say losing, we’re, we’re losing
ground over there and, and we have inadequate forces. We went
in, the first place, we didn’t have any reason to go in. We
didn’t have a threat to our national security. That’s been
proven. Second, we went—inadequate forces to get it under
control in a transition to peace. Third, the third thing was,
no exit strategy.


Murtha said we didn't have a reason to go into Iraq in the
first place.  Hillary Clinton voted to go into Iraq, without
even reading the intelligence report before voting.  Now
Murtha endorses Clinton.

Am I missing something here?  

[Tunkamerica]

13. I feel like I hear more of that from Hillary's Camp

and I'm speaking as someone who would welcome either as the nominee. I read someone yesterday talking about Kennedy, Dean, and Kerry not really caring about the Democratic Party... so their endorsements don't carry any weight since real Democrats don't put any stock in them anyway.

[global1]

3. I Like Murtha - Always Did - But - I Can't Help Believe That His Endorsement Is PayBack......

for something the Clinton's (Bill and/or Hillary) did for him in the past. Otherwise - I can't for the life of me understand why he would endorse a candidate that voted for the war. I wonder if there is anyway of researching that?

On edit - an afterthought - could he be a possible VP for Hillary?

[anellis]

5. Possible VP

He's denied that he'd take a VP spot.

[global1]

7. I Just Found This During A Google Search......

It's interesting to note that one does such a turnaround.

[Kittycat]

10. Pandering

[aquart]

15. Of course. Only those who endorse Obama do so with pure hearts.

Because God enters them and fills them with the LIGHT of OBAMA.

And all is well.

[Vinca]

22. Can you say Secretary of Defense? nt

[ima_sinnic]

23. there is something in it for him, not to mention "good ole boy" status quo BS

you can bet some kind of deal was made. HRC is a pro at that--she's a professional manipulator.

[nodehopper]

24. what if he had endorsed edwards?

I know that Edwards and HC are very different, but they both voted for the war. And as far as I can tell HC and BO are pretty much on the same page as far as the war goes. They certainly both voted to re-fund the troops without a timeline, failing to grow a backbone right around the time Nancy Pelosi had hers removed, apparently.

[rpannier]

6. Congrats to HRC and her campaign

It helps her.

I still think Obama will win the nomination.

[Faygo Kid]

8. I'm disappointed, but that's OK. Still respect Murtha.

Unlike the Hillary supporters who turned so quickly on Ted Kennedy, I will just say I respectfully disagree with Rep. Murtha.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

14. SWEET

[defendandprotect]

17. Presume that's the MIIC Murtha's endorsement . . .??? !!!

[TML]

18. A Perfect Match

Someone who is for old school politics gets the endorsment of The Pork King. The perfect way to illustrate who represents "business as usual" and "change".

[leftynyc]

20. And under the bus he goes (n/t)

[onehandle]

21. Now many DUers hate Murtha and love Pelosi.

Silly, silly DUers.