The liberal political group MoveOn.org is gearing up to support Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha and other Democrats who oppose the war in Iraq after successfully supporting anti-war candidate Ned Lamont in the Democratic Senate primary in Connecticut.Bill Pascoe says, Bring it on! (emphases mine)
"Two years ago, Republican operatives calling themselves 'Swift Boat Veterans' smeared John Kerry," MoveOn's Political Action Team wrote in an e-mail to members, referring to the group of Vietnam veterans who questioned Kerry's account of his service in Vietnam. "This year, the same people are at it again -- starting with attacks on John Murtha."
The e-mail states there is "no damn way we're going to let them get away with it" and pledges to "go on offense" against Republicans in the November elections. "John Murtha is a hero to millions of Americans, and the best way to honor him is to beat the Republicans who smear him."
The group is trying to raise $500,000 to air what it calls "a hard-hitting new TV ad about Iraq." The ad is not available for viewing online, but according to MoveOn.org, it features a dump truck dumping bags of cash in the desert, "a depiction of the billions we're spending in Iraq."
According to MoveOn.org, Lamont's victory over Sen. Joe Lieberman in the Connecticut Democratic primary "shows that voters are ready to reject politicians who are too close to George Bush, and polling shows Iraq is the top issue for voters nationwide."
Bill Pascoe, a spokesman for Murtha's opponent, Republican Diana Irey, said the campaign welcomed MoveOn.org's support of Murtha because he said it symbolizes Murtha's shift to the left to garner support from liberal Democrats who could make him the next majority leader if Democrats regain control of the House.Indeed. Bring it on, Michael Moore. I'm sure that yours and Murtha's newly adopted values are right in line with the values of the PA 12 voters....
Pascoe accused Murtha of "throwing the good, culturally conservative, strong national defense people of southwest Pennsylvania under the bus" to get support from liberal colleagues. (And isn't that relevant today?--ed)
Pascoe brushed off accusations that Murtha's opponents are smearing him. "To act as prosecutor, judge and jury, and label as cold-blooded killers the men and women of our armed forces who are overseas defending the freedoms that we take for granted is the worst kind of smear possible," he said, referring to Murtha's comments on Haditha.
"I welcome MoveOn.org to come into Pennsylvania 12th and try to organize," Pascoe said. "I think that's a terrific thing. I think they should get all their left-wing, net-blogging friends to come in as well. Let's really make this a race that everyone pays attention to."
Then again, perhaps NOT.
