Murtha is Democrats’ face in Iraq debate

On Capitol Hill for 33 years, the retired Marine colonel rarely seeks the limelight, often avoiding reporters and speaking on the House floor only to debate the annual defense spending bill.

In November 2005, he stunned his colleagues by turning against the war. Three years after voting in favor of the Iraq invasion, Murtha declared in a tearful speech: “It’s time to bring them home.”

But it is his reputation as a defense hawk that makes him such a threat to Bush. As a staunch supporter of military spending in the past, Murtha has earned a strong alliance of Republican friends, who say they are watching to see precisely what he proposes.

“I will say it’s an interesting concept,” said Sen. John Warner, a leading Republican defense figure who opposes sending more troops to Iraq.

“He is a fighter,” Warner, R-Va., later added. “Be he right or wrong, he is a fighter and that says a lot.”

Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, one of about a dozen House Republicans who announced this week they oppose Bush’s Iraq strategy, said he thinks Congress should seriously consider Murtha’s ideas.

“To brush these (proposals) off the table is irresponsible,” said Gilchrest, R-Md.

Murtha also has his opponents.

“While Rep. Murtha is unveiling his plan to choke off funding for American troops serving in harm’s way, Republicans like Rep. Sam Johnson — a distinguished Vietnam War veteran — are on the House floor explaining the demoralizing impact that the majority’s political maneuvers will have on our men and women in uniform,” said House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

Bush this week seemed keenly aware of Murtha’s political momentum. In recent days, the president shrugged off the significance of House vote expected Friday on a symbolic resolution stating opposition to his war plans. Instead, the president has focused his sights on the upcoming war supplemental.

Bush says he needs $93 billion more to continue paying for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through Sept. 30; the military is expected to run out of money by May, making passage of the bill critical.

“We have a responsibility, Republicans and Democrats have a responsibility to give our troops the resources they need to do their job and the flexibility they need to prevail,” Bush said in speech Thursday.