CNN tries to do hit job on Murtha --falls completely flat

[underpants]

At least this what it looked like to me. They pulled out the old "attack the messenger" routine and got it handed right back to them.

No video yet.


Is Congress willing to cut off funding in order to end the war in Iraq? The latest CNN-Opinion Research Corporation poll shows 60 percent of Americans want Congress to block money from going to war -- President Bush's planned troop increase, the 21,500 new troops for Iraq. Thirty-eight percent are against the resolution, or at least believe that Congress should vote against the resolution.

The man who may be ready to take the lead in this fight is already a vocal opponent of the war, Democrat and veteran Jack Murtha.

AMERICAN MORNING'S Bob Franken is live in Murtha's home district of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

And Bob, what are people there saying about this whole idea?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, he's not even here, even though they call this a district working period. But the fact of the matter is, he probably doesn't need to. After more than 32 years in Congress, his presence here is everywhere. (READ-PORK )

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN (voice over): John Murtha's name is seen everywhere here -- the airport, health centers, and he's brought in lots and lots of federal money for jobs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Murtha is the man. I mean, you look at all of the buildings in Johnstown that have his name on it, and they just don't do that out of kindness of their hearts.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's our savior. He's done so much for this area, we'd be in trouble if it wouldn't have been for him.

FRANKEN: Even though this hardscrabble Pennsylvania area is instinctively patriotic and conservative, it's two-to-one Democratic. And if the man who's brought so much pork barrel funding here wants to restrict troop funding, pork rules.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think whatever Congressman Murtha wants to do is probably good for the country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's a veteran, he's a decorated veteran, and I think he knows what -- what he's talking about.

FRANKEN: Murtha won the last election with more than 60 percent of the vote, as he did in the previous election, when President Bush carried this county.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a registered Republican, but at the same time, he's the type of Democrat, up until this point, that I could really get behind. So I see this as a -- as a -- kind of a turn that may make him consider something different next time around.

FRANKEN: Still, if anyone ever wanted proof that politics is local, Jack Murtha is it.

CHIP MINEMYER, EDITOR, "THE TRIBUNE DEMOCRAT": In some cases, hell or high water. You know, basically regardless of what the issues are, they're going to say, this is my guy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, he's a great man. He's hands-on.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a slogan within him -- "When they go pray, they should pray, I believe in the almighty Jack Murtha."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FRANKEN: He's been in Congress 32 years -- 32 years, which means that he doesn't have to worry too much, because he brings home the bacon -- John.

ROBERTS: But, you know, Bob, when it comes to this issue of Democrats cutting funding for the troops, the Democrats are very careful staying away from that, the president and Republicans in Congress are trying to make this all about funding.

What's the support level there for maintaining funding levels for the current deployments?

FRANKEN: Well, the real thinking here among most of the people -- and Murtha just has that kind of stature -- is whatever Jack says is probably the right thing.

ROBERTS: Wow, they really have a lot of faith in him.

FRANKEN: Yes, they do.
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[blue cat]

1. You should see the rage in my repub sister's eyes

when she talks about Murtha, and she is from Tx.

[Aviation Pro]

2. I moved from Johnstown....

...to my little patch of paradise and I can unequivocally say that without John Murtha the entire Conamaugh valley would be a rumor. If only he had the muscle to move I-70 closer to Johnstown.

[NYCGirl]

3. That's a hit job? Everyone should have CNN do such hit jobs on them. NT

[unpossibles]

4. I think it was a (mild) attempt at one

they made several references to pork (bacon being the funniest), and to the idea that people are loyal to him no matter what (which to me also had the stink of pork).

I don't have a problem with the guy, but.... I don't think we'd see this same story about any Republican Congressman. Did they run pieces like this back when Congress wanted to stonewall Clinton? All I heard was "wag the dog" crap.

[Supersedeas]

5. CNN showing its true colors again