Murtha Stumbles on Iraq Funding Curbs

Well, it would appear for the moment, that Murtha has stepped on it again. On trying to go it alone, he has turned both the wrath of the republicans and some of his own party against him, and outraged many from the democratic base. Click on main title to go to story.

This is just another demonstration of the divides that continue to grow amoungst the Democrats in Congress. Their failure to coordinate between themselves makes it so easy for the Republicans to snipe them and their plans. Many of their base continue to undercut those in the Democratric party. Evidence of this is greatly observed by checking out some of the liberal bolg and web sites.

Democrats Were Ill-Prepared for Unplanned Disclosure, Republican Attack

The plan was bold: By tying President Bush's $100 billion war request to strict standards of troop safety and readiness, Democrats believed they could grab hold of Iraq war policy while forcing Republicans to defend sending troops into battle without the necessary training or equipment.

But a botched launch by the plan's author, Rep. John P. Murtha (Pa.), has united Republicans and divided Democrats, sending the latter back to the drawing board just a week before scheduled legislative action, a score of House Democratic lawmakers said last week.

"If this is going to be legislation that's crafted in such a way that holds back resources from our troops, that is a non-starter, an absolute non-starter," declared Rep. Jim Matheson (Utah), a leader of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats.

Murtha's credentials as a Marine combat veteran, a critic of the war and close ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) were supposed to make him an unassailable spokesman for Democratic war policy. Instead, he has become a lightning rod for criticism from Republicans and members of his own party.

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