Readers Respond to Pelosi-Murtha Article

by , 2006-11-17

EDITOR'S NOTE: Paul Hogarth's November 16th article, "Pelosi Deserves Credit for Backing Jack Murtha," received an enormous number of letters in response from throughout the country. Here are a few of them.

Dear Mr. Hogarth,

I just watched all of Mr. Murtha's Abscam tape. If you view that entire video and still conclude Ms. Pelosi did the right thing in backing Mr. Murtha for majority leader, please call me in connection with a bridge I'd like to sell you. With all due respect, you are wrong in this matter. Thank you.

Robert R. Merhige, Virginia Beach, VA

Paul, the people delivered a mandate on the "culture of corruption" as well. As one who rallied against the corruption of the Republicans, Pelos's hypocrisy (for the sake of politics, I might add) in her support of Murtha is hugely disappointing. I had great hopes for Pelosi, but it turns out that she is just another two-faced politician more interested in power and cronyism than the will of the American people. I am thankful that Steny Hoyer was overwhelmingly elected. Maybe this will make her think long and hard about choosing Alcee Hastings to chair the House intelligence committee.

Donna Roessler San Diego, CA


Well said, Paul. Cogent and forceful.

Many voters will be alert to whether the Democratic leadership will
revert to form. I think Nancy Pelosi will do particulalry well as a
Speaker who will make clear to her colleagues the political liability
were that to occur.

Renewed attempts to brand Murtha -- the ultimate low-key force majeure
during his 30-year political career -- as contentious, unreasonable and
possibly shady are despicable. I've yet to see anything in print saying
the reason he wasn't charged in the bribery sting 26 years ago was
because he didn't take the money.

Brad Bower
Dallas


Dear Paul Hogarth,

That was an outstanding column that you wrote on why the House Democrats should pick John Murtha to be Majority Leader. Unfortunately, just after I read it and circulated it to several other people on my email list, I learned that Murtha lost. I think that Pelosi shouldn't have taken a stand on this one. I hope that everything works out and that Pelosi won't be undercut as Speaker. Certainly, this is all far better than having the Republicans in the leadership.

Walter Ballin


Editor,

Murtha is Pelosi's Foley. He has not answered ethics charges brought by the Center fro Responsive Ethics in Washington, http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/newsrelease.php?view=178. This is not a group of right wing nuts. In fact over 80% of their suspect targets are Republicans. I think this may explain why Murtha lost so handily in today's vote.

It looks as though Pelosi is following the Hastert playbook. By keeping a blind eye to possible ethics violations, she scores political points.

Joe Lynn
San Francisco


Hi Paul,

I just finished reading your acritcle on Pelosi and her backing Murtha. I agree that this is a good sign for those who want out of Iraq!

I am concerned about Murtha from another perspective, he has a history of "ethics" troubles, i.e. he was invisigated during the 80's and voted aganist strengthing the house ethics committee. I am also aware that one of Pelosi's commitments is to increase the power of the ethics committee in the house... First, do you have more information about Jack Murtha's past troubles with ethics? then, do you think he will change his past voting to support a stronger ethics committee (or whatever it will be called) in the house?

i think it would be great if beyond the chron could add a comments section, although this should be carefully considered (i.e. i have seen good ones that allow people to vote on the comments, moving them up and down).

Al Reyes


I agree that the press is taking off on this and representing it as Dem on Dem violence. But Pelosi wrote Hoyer in advance; this was no vicious stealth campaign. I believe that Pelosi is doing this is also to demonstrate her loyalty. Post-election, its make peace with everyone time. But this action shows that she will not forget supporters when it matters, personally or politically.

Tanya Shriver Castiglione, Ph.D.


Right on, Paul...found yer words via Google news and I agree wholeheartedlly. Although I do not know much about Pelosi I like the way that she has started since the election...changing the tone in Congress right off...conciliatory and tough, something akin to agreeing to disagree without getting personal...although I wish she had told the media hack who started their interview by saying that Pelosi's peers say she is good looking what place does that kind of question have at a time like this...step up media mongrel and do your job like a professional...and so on. Thanks

Michael in Grand Rapids MI


Sorry Paul,

"It's easy to sit in San Francisco and complain that Nancy Pelosi "doesn't represent us," but that's not the way other progressives around the country see it."

Add to that sentence Pelosi's quote about overseeing the "most ethical" Congress in the history of the nation, as well as exit polling that showed Congressional corruption was a major factor for voters and you SHOULD be able to figure out that her endorsement of Murtha IS NOT a positive sign to many progressive as well as independents who played a significant role in this election.

I personally view her support letter as incredibly political - anti-Iraq war sentiment - and unsuitably arrogant.

Tim Flynn Denver, Co.


Editor,
I read your column on how great Pelosi was. She has not only pushed Murtha, a right wing Democrat with ethical problems, but is blocking Harmon, out of personal pique, in favor of a corrupt federal judge. Pelosi is a diaster. And, for the record, I voted for a Democratic member of Congress.

Sidney Brooks Arizona


Editor,

I suppose "liberal" Nancy Pelosi should be congratulated, but there may be more than a dubious 26 year-old bribery scandal in Murtha's past. http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/newsrelease.php?view=178 Personally, I think the guy is right on, but he's not a boy scout.

Rick Claymore


Editor,

As a registered republican I, I did not vote democrat soley because of the war, I just felt a new direction was needed as well as checks and balances in our govenment. It will be interesting to see if these so called conservative democrats keep their promises and stay true to the agenda on which they were elected or rip off their costume and play follow he leader in this case Pelosi and ruin the economy while ending the war. Lets see how the Bush bashing media covers this episode. Probably just like you did trying to blow smoke up our ass.

Jose Garcia

Paul,

I read your columns in Beyond Chron regularly and almost always agree with you, but I strongly disagree about Nancy Pelosi.

"Pelosi's action confirms her progressive credentials, and rebuts claims that she is 'out of touch' with her San Francisco constituents"? Baloney!!! Sorry, but you are wrong and Tim Redmond and the Bay Guardian are correct (http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=2094&catid=4&volume_id=254&issue_id=263&volume_num=41&issue_num=07), which is where I assume you got your remarks about being "weak" and "late" in opposing the war.

San Francisco is the most anti-war and progressive city of over 500,000 people in the country. If Pelosi were truly representative of us, she would have been, and would be, out front in opposing the war and impeaching Bush & Cheney. Instead, she said that impeachment is "off the table" and doesn't even mention the war, by far the most important issue, in her platform.

I don't expect her to act like Barbara Lee, because the people in SF are not, as a whole, as progressive as those in Oakland and Berkeley. However, as Tim Redmond states, Pelosi is far to the right of her constituents.

Jeff Hoffman
San Francisco