Democrats Flee From Muthra, and From Relevance

November 27, 2005

" Here we have one of the most widely derided presidents in the history

of the United States and a war abhorred by a majority of all Americans

and the Democrats have near zero traction as a credible party of

opposition. The sequence of events after Representative Jack Murtha's

speech on Capitol Hill on November 17 tells the story.

[...]

" This was no wimp. This was a 73-year old Marine veteran with Purple

Hearts and Bronze Star, one of the Armed Forces' most constant

supporters. What more credible advocate a speedy end to an unpopular

war could the Democrats ever hope for?

" Barely had he stopped speaking before the halls of Congress echoed

with the squeaks Democrats whimpering with panic as they skipped clear

of Murtha's shadow. Emboldening the White House to savage Murtha, John

Kerry hurried before the cameras of MSNBC to frag the Pennsylvania

congressman and to tell Chris Mathews how he, John Kerry, had a better

plan, involving something in the nature of a schedule for withdrawal

possibly limping into action in 2006.

" Nancy Pelosi, the Democrats' leader in the House abruptly retreated

from a scheduled pres conference to express support for Murtha.

Scenting weakness, the Republicans put up a resolution calling for

withdrawal now. Democratic panic escalated into pell mell retreat,

shouting back over their shoulders that they weren't going to fall for

such a dirty Republican trick. Why not? What better chance will they

get to go on record against the war? In the end just three Democrats

(Cynthia McKinney of Georgia, Jose Serrano of New York, and Robert

Wexler of Florida voted for immediate withdrawal and six voted

'present'). "

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