The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Murtha and Wolf

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Murtha and Wolf

By David Holman on 9.29.06 @ 6:11PM

Same old stories from Jack Murtha today on CNN's Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer about the "alleged" FBI surveillance tape from the "conservative publication" The American Spectator.

At first he said, "I had no idea they were offering me money." But he later acknowledged the agents put $50,000 in front of him.

He still says he was "only interested in investment in my district." CNN chose a rather innocuous quote about Murtha's influence from the transcript. But let's go to the tape:

A business commitment that makes it imperative for me to help him. Just, let me tell you something. I'm sure if -- and there's a lot of things I've done up here, with environmental regulations, with all kinds of waivers of laws and regulations. If it weren't for being in the district, people would say... "Well that son of a b****, I'm gonna tell you something....This guy is, uh, you know, on the take." Well once they say that, what happens? Then they start going around looking for the goddamn money. So I want to avoid that by having some tie to the district. That's all. That's the secret to the whole thing.

"Right-wing smear because I oppose the policies of this administration." I didn't mention the policies of the administration. The word "smear" suggests that the article was false. But he could not point out any inaccuracies. Murtha should answer for his warm relationship with those offering him bribes.

Note that Murtha did not challenge the authenticity of the video or the accuracy of the transcript. Go read it and judge for yourself.

topics:
Business, Environment, Law