What's up with Murtha?

[Mynameissalvatore]

I had NBC on at work tonight and caught something about an FBI sting operation on Murtha. He was caught on video accepting bribes? I was working so I couldnt give it my full attention and wonder if anybody here could fill me in on this story.
P.S. I am not a Freeper in disguise trying to stir things up on Murtha or anything like that. I figured I would get that out there because I am sure there are more trolls in here these days than there usually are.

[skipos]

1. I posted links to videos of the abscam stuff here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2712625&mesg_id=2712625

He definitely did NOT accept the bribe, hence he was never prosecuted. Other congressmen were.

[Mynameissalvatore]

6. I'm glad to hear that

I had a feeling it was something old but wasn't sure.
All that being said though, we (the Dems) need to be very diligent and keep our hands clean at all costs. We can't give them anything to point to as far as any impropriety.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. It was like 25 years ago

I guess that is the best the swift boaters can do.

[BushOut06]

3. Hannity was all over this

The swiftboating of Murtha is now in full effect. Nevermind the fact that Murtha never actually took any bribes, nor was he ever found guilty of anything.

[don954]

4. This is crap from 1981

from wiki:
"The FBI videotaped Murtha as saying, "I'm not interested...at this point. we do business for a while, maybe I'll be interested, maybe I won't." to $50,000 cash right after Murtha had offered to provide names of businesses and banks in his district where money could be legally invested"

basically he went non-committal as he was being offered a bribe, trying to be diplomatic...

[LittleClarkie]

5. Seems like a smear to me

I support Murtha. I'm surprised that he doesn't seem to be as popular here as he used to be.

[tnlefty]

7. Welcome to DU, and I'll admit that I'm more concerned with something

else.

Disclaimer: I like both Nancy Pelosi and John Murtha and have respect for them both. Corruption was one of the things that voters had in mind when they went to the polls to vote and Pelosi has made a big deal of cleaning up the culture of corruption in D.C. My concern is that the repubs will be like sharks circling in the water smelling blood and will use anything to slam the new Dem majority.

I heard Melanie Sloan of the Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, CREW, discussing this on Al Franken's show about 2 months ago and again today, and there was an article in the NY Times about this today I think. I don't think that the Dems need anything that even resembles the 'pay to play' climate that has been going on in Washington to be a concern in the minds of voters - I don't want to even think about being in the minority again going into '08, and anything that contributes to the idea of same old, same old might contribute to the "there's no difference between the 2 parties, blah, blah, blah."

So with that in mind, please visit www.beyonddelay.org and read the report on Murtha and decide for yourself if he should be placed in a leadership role.

[NJCher]

9. I heard that interview, too

It sure sounds to me like there's something there. If there is, we'd better face up to it and find another candidate for this job.




Cher

[tnlefty]

11. I read the info. at the link when I heard the first interview, and then got

really busy during the election. When I heard this again I went back and reread the material and looked at the PDF and I was feeling less than happy.

I don't know much about whether Hoyer is involved in anything that even on the surface appears to be ethically challenged, and would appreciate any info. that you might be aware of. :hi:

[Canuckistanian]

8. Read this, from TPMmuckraker

And, this is NOT about ABSCAM.

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/001984.php

In Back Rooms, Murtha Fought Against Reform
By Justin Rood - November 13, 2006, 2:55 PM

So House Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi has thrown her weight behind Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) to be the next House Majority Leader.

Few outside of Murtha's district -- or the corridors of Washington, D.C. -- knew much of Murtha until his outspoken opposition to the Iraq War earlier this year made him a cause celebre among liberals. What else has he been up to this year? In an excellent but little-noticed piece last month, the New York Times brought us up to speed:

In the last year, Democratic and Republican floor watchers say, Mr. Murtha has helped Republicans round up enough Democratic votes to narrowly block a host of Democratic proposals: to investigate federal contracting fraud in Iraq, to reform lobbying laws, to increase financing for flood control, to add $150 million for veterans' health care and job training, and to exempt middle-class families from the alternative minimum tax.

As Murtha put it, "deal making is what Congress is all about." Yessir -- blocking fraud investigations, stonewalling lobbying reform. That's what Congress is all about, isn't it?

[tnlefty]

10. Thanks for this link and info.

I was trying to find this earlier then had to leave to attend a meeting and you have saved me a lot of time and effort.

[HappyWeasel]

12. lol...

I would shudder if a scandal from a quarter of a century ago gets brought up.

[Canuckistanian]

14. ABSCAM is not the concern right now

It's all about credibility. If Pelosi's serious about presenting a new, ethical face to Democrats.... Murtha could stand some criticism.

Just sayin'.....

[upi402]

15. Oh it will come up. OVER AND OVER AGAIN!

This we can't have. They will find every speck of dirt and their media will NEVER let up!

How's Hoyer?

[tnlefty]

16. I'm not so worried about a quarter century ago, either.

I'm much more concerned about www.beyonddelay.org which was compiled by the Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and the info. there and the PDF that accompanies it. This info. was compiled dating in '02. If you have any info. stating that what is in the PDF is different than what I read, would you please let me know? It isn't the ABSCAM crap. BTW, if you're aware of anything in Hoyer's skeletal closet please let me know, because I don't want to read about the repubs having a field day with it in the press in a couple of weeks.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Canuckistanian]

13. I hate to say it, but Murtha looks dirty

BTW, I was listening to Mike Malloy and he said he contacted Murtha's office about this. The staffers read a statement saying something like, "We're thinking about the future, now".

Mike's response? "Whenever I hear a politician speak about 'the future', that's when I check for my wallet".

[tnlefty]

17. I only wish that I could still listen to Malloy! Envious I am.

I'm just waiting for the repugs to have a field day with this info. from CREW if it takes hold in the press. I understand that this info. and more was in an article in the NY Times today. I'm thinking that the new dem majority doesn't need this crap.

[Canuckistanian]

18. I listen to him on podcasts

No way I could hear him in real time on the radio. Ben Burch is achiving all his stuff on NovaMNetwork:

http://www.whiterosesociety.org/Malloy.html

[Kool Kitty]

21. I'm thinking you're right.

This is no way to start. Get someone else.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

19. If this isnt crap, why didnt the Repubes beat Murtha with it BEFORE

the election? He was/is a/the leading Dem voice against
the war, and forcing him to defend himself against
corruption charges (true or false) would seem to have
been a top priority pre-election. Especially when corruption
was right up there with Iraq as dominant issues. Just askin'.

[DTinAZ]

20. A boatload of corruption.

Don't care for Pelosi in the first place, and she's got really BAD judgement if she keeps supporting Murtha for this position.

DT