Stop the Murtha-Mongers Posted by Shadi Hamid

I find it baffling why any liberal would readily lend his or her support to John Murtha, who hopes to win the post of House Majority Leader later today. Let’s pray he doesn’t. If he did, it would provide only more evidence that the Democratics are devoid of a moral core or any recognizable set of principles or ideas. Murtha is not a liberal. He doesn’t claim to be a liberal. The only reason progressives like him is because he stuck it to Bush presumably when no one else would. That’s a pretty crappy reason to vote someone in as Majority Leader of your party. It would be one thing if Murtha’s opposition to the war was based on a distinctly progressive vision for US foreign policy. It isn't (as Bradford Plumer explains in an excellent post).

Murtha remains a perplexing mix of realist and neo-con, taking perhaps the worst of the two trends and fusing them together. I can’t think of one time where I’ve heard Murtha talk about the importance of democracy in Iraq and the Middle East. That may be because he doesn’t really care (there are, apparently, dearer things to his heart). Can someone tell me what distinguishes Brent Scrowcroft from John Murtha in this regard? Not much, except that Murtha is actually more of a hawk, but in the worst sense of the word. Every now and then, he will give us a Michael Ledeen-ish nugget like: "The big problem in the Middle East is Iran. We went to the wrong place." How reassuring.

Opposition is not vision. It’s simply criticism, and that’s all Murtha has offered the House on the issue of Iraq. He wants us to get out now. For many liberals, apparently, this is the only position that matters. Hatred of Bush and opposition to the Iraq war have become the litmus test for a good chunk of the Democratic base. These activists, in any case, have always been united more by tactics than belief. It is not clear what they believe. It is, however, clear that this war is all that matters to them, even if it means putting aside the liberal values and principles that supposedly define us - or at least the ones that once did.

Comments

[Zathras]

You don't want or need a Majority Leader of the House assuming a large role in foreign policy. Ever. The Majority Leader's job is to keep legislation moving through the House of Representatives, and seeing to it that those among his party who do spend time and effort on individual subjects, like foreign policy, have every opportunity to have their views reflected in the bills passed by the House. It is a very demanding job, and it wouldn't get done properly by any Majority Leader who thought his time was better spent making statements on the future of democracy in the Middle East.

Democrats will be judged in large measure by how well they conduct the business of the House, an institution that the current Republican leadership allowed to decay in several respects. They need to be aware that this will require responsibility for being party spokespeople to be directed to legislators with the time and ability to become expert in individual policy areas -- because those people will be better spokespeople, and frankly because the House Democrats' leader, Nancy Pelosi, is simply not the sharpest knife in the drawer. For that to happen, Democrats will need a Majority Leader able to run the House. Now, is that John Murtha or Steny Hoyer?

[Don Bacon]

All that hoo-haw about the progressive victory on November 7th was just that, a pipedream. The facts are that there are only 62 progressives in the House (members of pdamerica), perhaps a few more with the election. Neither Pelosi, Murtha or Hoyer are among them. The hawk Murtha is the only House member who has said anything about getting out of Iraq, and unlike Hoyer he's on Pelosi's team, so he's the man.

[Judah]

"The hawk Murtha is the only House member who has said anything about getting out of Iraq..."

Are you kidding?

Dozens upons dozens of Members have said things about leaving Iraq. Some don't go as far as Mr. Murtha. Some go further.

[J Thomas]

Murtha's the only one who's gotten significant media attention. So Murtha's it.

What would you think of a party that lets the other-party-dominated media decide who its leaders will be?

[Dan Kervick]

It is, however, clear that this war is all that matters to them, even if it means putting aside the liberal values and principles that supposedly define us - or at least the ones that once did.

It's also clear that this war doesn't matter much to you at all. Not surprising, since you are among the group who generally favor stepped up US military engagement in the Middle East, even if you currently find it impolitic to say so.

Well Steny Hoyer - an AIPAC stooge - was just selected to steer the new House majority. So perhaps you'll get your wish.

You claim to be concerned about Murtha's statements on Iran. But military action against Iran is all but in the cards now. And when Israel or the US decides to launch a stkike against Iran, Steny Hoyer will be the first member of the servile horde to bend his knee in adoration of the war gods.

[Don Bacon]

Grab your helmets. The Dems perhaps don't even have the votes for a non-binding exit timetable, and they won't vote to cut off funds. Murtha (and the other quiet doves that Judah correctly remembered) effectively has been muzzled. Bush will send another army division to Iraq and the insurgency and turmoil will increase. Hoyer is tied into the DLC and Clinton, who wants Iran because that's what The Lobby wants. Pelosi has been left to hang out to dry, a symbol of Dem impotence. So much for the voter mandate. And it's only November!

[PoliShifter]

I agree with Don.

People may be lamenting that 26 years ago that Murtha was bribed by the FBI and Murtha didn't take the bribe but they will lament more when they realize now it's business as usual in the Congress.

I am fairly certain the DLC went around making campaign promises to Democrats in a rovian way that they couldn't refuse.

Now it's full steam ahead - stay the course in Iraq. The DLC is in charge and they love to work with Republicans and will look forward to allowing The Bush Daddy Baker team do what they want in Iraq.

The American People want us out of Iraq. Now that's not going to happen.

[J.S.]

Right on Shadi- and the Dems listened to you!!!

[David Tomlin]

When someone jumps out of the way of a truck barreling down on him, it's a bit ridiculous to say 'Getting out of the way of that truck is all that matters to you!'

[Don Bacon]

I guess that Shadi still clings to the neocon dream of democratizing the Middle East through peaceful means if possible, but since we already have this Iraq War then let it run its course and perhaps something good will come of it. Well, we're now seeing what democracy looks like in the Middle East and it ain't pretty. We need a dictator! Hussein's out--we'll find another.

[wow gold]

I like to earn the World of Warcraft Gold very much, I want to have a lot of warcraft gold in the game, i do not satisfy the old equipment and so i have to buy wow gold to buy the new equipment to make me strong. If i am very strong in the game i can get some cheap wow gold as the rewards in the game. So i like the game very much.

[buy Tales Of Pirates Gold]

I am so happy to get some Tales Of Pirates gold and the Tales Of Pirates money is given by my close friend who tells me that the cheap Tales Of Pirates gold is the basis to enter into the game.

[Perfect World Gold]

I hope i can get Perfect World Silver in low price.
I buy Perfect World money for you.

[Runes of Magic Gold]

Once I played Rom Gold, I did not know how to get strong, someone told me that you must have Rom Gold. He gave me some Runes of Magic Gold.

[12Sky Silver Coins]

she like quiet and twelvesky Gold. she always read books in the library 12Sky Silver Coins.

[World of Warcraft Gold]

Do you like playing the game where you need to use wow gold, when you do not have World of Warcraft Gold,

[cheap coach handbags]

Thank you for your sharing! I like i very much!

[watches]

For those who have not used a 24-hour hand,it makes one full revolution of the dial over 24 hours which means that 12 pm is at 6 clock on the dial.This features allows you to track two timezones: one using the standard time hands,and the other using the GMT hand and the 24hr bezel.The bezel has a grippy coin edge and a light but clicky turn.The included bracelet is nice and light.Replica Casio Watches features solid end links (spring bars),and the outer links of the bracelet are screwed together.The clasp has a fold-over design with a signed safety.The bracelet is a perfect fit for the Replica Wittnauer Watches and integrates beautifully with the lugs.I will mention that the PVD on the bracelet is very light and after some considerable time on my wrists,there is noticeable wear.If PDV wear bothers you,go with the brushed/polished model instead (brushed on top and polished on the sides of the case).This is a Replica Vacheron Constantin that is up for just about any task and does so with little fuss or explanation.I wore it on a twelve day trip to San Francisco and Replica Ulysse Nardin Watches kept up perfectly.The Replica Zodiac Watches is light enough to be worn without consideration,classy enough to be worn with any attire,and with the GMT complication,it is a traveler's best friend.It's amazingly accurate; many days,it showed no deviance at all,and after a month,it is usually within +/-4 seconds.The G-1 starts at $549,which is an amazing price for a watch of this quality.Many other Replica Tommy Hilfiger Watches that feature this movement retail for hundreds to thousands more,and the G-1 is without a doubt the best design from OCEAN7 that we have reviewed to date.The model as reviewed is $599,and the buyer can choose from a series of bezel colors to suit either finish.OCEAN7 Watch Company have outdone themselves on the new G-1 GMT *** a very cool watch that doesn't sacrifice quality,features,looks,or everyday practicality; For updates on content,follow Watch Report on Twitter.

[Network]

thanks for sharing Sohbet many people are pay more attention to one's swearing than before, especially a watch.Muhabbet.
Perhaps when you went to some place far away Sohbet you must borrow it from friends you can get everything you want in this game Chat money to invest in other industry which will return you good profit. Sohbet when you look at Chat
the surface of the watches viaload great any cool Exsohbet from the city you live in and thought you knew nobody there Egitim Fourth, there were various signs of political conflict among shia. If they split 3 ways or 4 ways, the sunnis and the kurds could often be the Sohbet swing votes in the politics. If they felt they had political clout out of proportion to their numbers, they could settle in Sohbet and do politics and not feel oppressed.

[Chat]

paylaşımlarınız ilgi çekici teşekkürler admin..

[Chat Sohbet]

thank you

[Bruleetorch]

There will be no blending with the local population