Breaking on CNN … White House press secretary Scott McClellan, in Asia traveling with the president, has issued a response statement comparing Murtha’s expressed views today to those of “Michael Moore.”
Murtha, widely known as a “hawk” on defense, startled the nation today with his call for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. (See “Seismic Shift by Influential Hawk,” and a video at Crooks & Liars of Murtha’s speech today, or video at Bradblog.com. Also check out Raw Story‘s report.)
“‘Congressman Murtha is a respected veteran and politician who has a record of supporting a strong America,’ said White House press secretary Scott McClellan. ‘So it is baffling that he is endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic Party’.”
“‘The eve of an historic democratic election in Iraq is not the time to surrender to the terrorists,’ McClellan said. ‘After seeing his statement, we remain baffled — nowhere does he explain how retreating from Iraq makes America safer’.” (From the AP/Yahoo, thanks to Nag and numediaman.)
I was traveling in the car a good part of the day, and every AM and FM station headed its top-of-the-hour news with Murtha’s statements, and rebukes from Republicans.
It’s instantly clear — from the nasty rebukes I heard on the radio from Republicans and from this remarkably bald attack by President Bush via McClellan — that Murtha’s statement has indeed been “seismic” in its importance today.
Adds Peter Daou at Salon‘s Daou Report:
OUCH! Rep. John Murtha, former Marine, decorated Vietnam veteran and influential Democratic hawk, to Cheney: “I like guys who’ve never been there that criticize us who’ve been there. I like that. I like guys who got five deferments and never been there and send people to war, and then don’t like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done.”
Murtha’s statement today has unleashed a verbal battle the likes of which we haven’t seen yet.
Then there’s this look-how-far-they’ve-fallen story from the Times UK:
Hawkish Cheney renews attack but attracts only flak
Times Online
By David Charter. DICK CHENEY’S steely presence used to be seen as one of the great strengths of the Bush Administration. Not any more.
The 64-year-old Vice-President has re-emerged on to the public stage after weeks in the White House freezer with an attack on critics of the Iraq policy he did so much to promote.
But far from bolstering his President, Mr Cheney’s assault appeared to have merely encouraged growing criticism of his uncompromising style. …
My two cents: Well, Dick. When draft dodgers like you fuck up not just a war but the lives of people in many nations, it’s time for you to shut up and listen to real patriots like Murtha.
Above, don’t miss Steven D’s review of reactions to Murtha’s moving, yet practical, statement today: “Wingnuts Attack! What they’re saying about Rep. Murtha.”
