(D-PA) Joins Growing Dem Chorus Critical Of U.S. Troops; Claims Troops Killing “Innocent Civilians In Cold Blood”:
Rep. John Murtha (D-PA): “Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood.” (“Marines Killed Iraqi Civilians ‘In Cold Blood: US Lawmaker,'” Agence France Presse, 5/18/06)
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL): “We are an irritant. And we help spur the insurgency, even as we are defending a fledgling Iraqi government against that insurgency.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 1/22/06)
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA): “There is no reason, Bob, that young American soldiers need to be going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids and children …” (CBS’ “Face The Nation,” 12/4/05)
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV): “It’s our presence that’s also a problem. We’re an occupying force” (Mort Kondracke, Op-Ed, “Democrats Look Weak Calling For Iraq ‘Exit,'” Roll Call, 2/3/05)
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) Said That U.S. Troops Were Part Of The Problem In Iraq. “‘The U.S. military presence has become part of the problem, not part of the solution,’ Kennedy said in remarks prepared for delivery at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies.” (Lolita C. Baldor, “Kennedy Calls For Troop Withdrawal, Says Military Is Fueling Insurgents,” The Associated Press, 1/27/05)
Rep. John Murtha Promises Dems Will Cut And Run In Iraq If They Gain Control Of Congress:
Rep. John Murtha Claimed Dems Will Withdraw From Iraq If They Take Over. MSNBC’s CHRIS MATTHEWS: “[A]re the Democrats going to seize the leadership of the Congress, win the votes, take over Congress and end the war? Are they going to do it?” … REP. MURTHA: “We have to convince Democrats and Republicans that this war has to end.” (MSNBC’s “Hardball,” 5/17/06)
Rep. Murtha: “Let me tell you something, Chris. This war is going to end.” (MSNBC’s “Hardball,” 5/17/06)
Rep. Murtha: “[W]e’ve got to have a scheduled withdrawal, just like we have to have a schedule around here.” (MSNBC’s “Hardball,” 5/17/06)
Rep. Murtha: “My timetable is to immediately work and say to them, ‘Look, you’re going to have to take over yourself, this is your responsibility. And we’re redeploying our force.’ The sooner the better, as far as I’m concerned.” (Rep. Jack Murtha, Press Conference, 5/17/06)