Murtha Endorses Coleen Rowley

Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA12) today endorsed Coleen Rowley in her challenge to incumbent Rep. John Kline (R-MN02).

Murtha, who has become a lightning rod figure due to his opposition to the Iraq war, praised Rowley, calling her “courageous” for her willingness to risk her career to draw attention to FBI failures prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

“I don’t know that there’s anybody more qualified with experience, more qualified with honesty and courage than Coleen,” Murtha said.

Murtha decried what he called a “rubber-stamp” congress, and said that Congress needs to “stand up to the President.” 

Responding criticism that he supports a “cut and run” policy in Iraq, Murtha said “there is not a solution [in Iraq], only alternatives.”  Murtha said that it was Congress’ responsibility to speak out against policies that it disagrees with.

Murtha also challenged the idea that he was against the troops.

“I support the troops.  I’m inspired by them,” Murtha said.  “I’m the one who discovered the lack of body armor, the one and the one who put extra money in–even though the administration didn’t ask for it–to make sure that our troops had what they need.”

Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN08), criticized the administration on that point, stating that the administration had failed to implement key recommendations on domestic security.  “They’re four years behind in fully funding explosive detection systems,” he said. 

Rowley noted her appreciation for the presence of Oberstar and Murtha, and praised Oberstar for his work on improving port security.

“These are the things that would actually make our country more secure,” she said.

When asked about what the top priority should be for a potential Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, Murtha was direct.

“We need to find a way to end this war,” he said.

Murtha rejected the idea that Democrats were in any way soft on terrorism, however.

“There is unity on the Democratic side against terror, unity for a strong America, and unity for a strong military.  The disunity is with the [Iraq] policy, and it’s our responsibility to speak out.”