The American Spectator

Rep. Jack Murtha (D-Pa) is no Kucinich. He’s been a defense stalwart for decades. His speech today, in which he says that the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq is impeding Iraq’s progress to self government and defense, and calls for immediate withdrawal, is a serious statement from one of the few remaining Dems who have any credibility on defense.

When Murtha says, as he did today, that “the U.S. can not accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily,” he removes one of the last restraints on irresponsible Congressional action on the war. The president and vice president are at least beginning to answer their critics on the pre-war intel issue. But they need to act, decisively and consistently, to win back the support of people such as Murtha. We have Republican Roundheels in the Senate, and antiwar whacko Dems in the House and Senate. We simply can’t afford to lose the few remaining Murthas in Congress.