John Murtha Dies

[Semiauto]

Updated February 08, 2010
Rep. Murtha Dead at 77

By Chad Pergram
- FOXNews.com

Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. John Murtha, the first veteran of the Vietnam war to enter Congress and one of the House's most powerful lawmakers, died Monday afternoon at Virginia Hospital Center after complications from gallbladder surgery. Murtha was 77.


Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. John Murtha, the first veteran of the Vietnam war to enter Congress and one of the House's most powerful lawmakers, died Monday afternoon at Virginia Hospital Center after complications from gallbladder surgery. Murtha was 77.
"Congressman John P. Murtha (PA-12) passed away peacefully this afternoon at 1:18 p.m. at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va. At his bedside was his family," read a statement from his office.
A native of New Martinsville, W.Va., voters first elected Murtha to Congress in a 1974 special election that spelled impending doom for President Nixon and congressional Republicans. That fall, Democrats wrestled away 49 House seats from the GOP, reeling from the scourge of Watergate and a presidency in shambles.
Murtha rose to become the chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which controls spending for the Pentagon. Chairmen of the appropriations subcommittee panels are viewed with such prestige on Capitol Hill that they're called "cardinals." That's a nod to Rome because of the eminence these lawmakers hold over spending for their federal fiefdom.
Murtha was the endorsed candidate of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to become majority leader when Democrats won control of Congress in 2006. But current Majority Leader Steny Hoyer overwhelmingly defeated Murtha by secret ballot in a hard-fought leadership contest.

FOXNews.com - Rep. Murtha Dead at 77

[WVRifleman]

Appreciate his service but he turned into a corrupt politician .

[kahrcarrier]

Amen. Former Marine, but forgot some of the things that I know they teach in boot camp, like honor, integrity, etc.

[powder1]

Originally Posted by kahrcarrier

Amen. Former Marine, but forgot some of the things that I know they teach in boot camp, like honor, integrity, etc.

He definitly change once in politics

[Mean Redneck]

I cant understand why any Military person could be a Democrat! The Militars fight's for our Bill of rights and a Democrat fight's to change it!
WTF man!?

[UncleMike]

Originally Posted by Mean Redneck

I cant understand why any Military person could be a Democrat! The Militars fight's for our Bill of rights and a Democrat fight's to change it!
WTF man!?

Insanity is not limited to the Civilian arena.
Mike

[kahrcarrier]

Being a corrupt Democrat is a lucrative business, I guess.

[WVRifleman]

I didn't know he was orginally from New Martinsville WV? That explains the Democrat!

I'm the black sheep of the family and one of many of the state be "conservative/independent". There are so many old Robert C Byrd old Democrats in the state it is unreal. And they won't change for nothing. Now you noticed Obama lost the state twice, they are they old conservative JFK Democrats but to some of them are still bull headed to see where their party has gone. And that includes my family!

I can't get them to see how they are on gun control, and my family and loaded weapons all over the place and how they cost them jobs. WV ranks last or near last in every category in employment has for the last 70 years and the state congress has been dominated by democratic rule for the whole time.

JFK came to the state back in the 60's and called it a third world country within the heart of america. Now it isn't that bad now of course but it still isn't where it should be. The "progressive" policies has held the state down and still does. It refuses to allow the "right to work law" the unions fight it tooth and nail!

Many young folks like myself had to leave the state find work and still do. I was able to go back because I found a job that I didn't depend the states economy for work.

This like many of your Cities throughout the countries has been in many ways a "progressive" failure and it a damn shame!