NOTE: MY NEXT COLUMN WILL APPEAR FRIDAY MORNING (JAN. 4). I'M FIGHTING A HEAD COLD, AND IT HAS BEEN WINNING!
Murtha, the human equivalent of the Johnstown Flood
In recent years, as Pennsylvania has become "Bluer," more Democratic, the state has accelerated its long decline. Here's how Michael Barone's and Richard Cohen's The Almanac of American Politics, 2008 edition, puts it:
"[The state has had] the slowest population growth of any major state. There were 9.5 million Pennsylvanians in 1930, 12.4 million in 2006. Pennsylvania cast 36 electoral votes for Franklin Roosevelt in 1940, and 21 for John Kerry in 2004; it had 30 congressmen, as many as California, in 1960, but now has 19 to California's 53. People growing up here are as likely to leave the state as stay, and few out-of-staters move in. Pennsylvania looks and sounds more like it did in the 1940s than any other major state. With the significant difference that Pennsylvania in 1940 had lots of young people, while the Pennsylvania of 2006 has the second largest elderly population (after Florida) of any state."
The Median Household Income (MHI) in Pennsylvania is about $2,000 less annually than the U.S. average. Tuition costs at public colleges and universities are the highest of any state. The state has many fine institutions of higher education, but as Barone and Cohen point out, there are few jobs for graduates -- and many have to leave the state to find decent jobs.
In the congressional districts centered in the two large cities -- the 1st and 2nd districts in Philadelphia and the 14th District in Pittsburgh -- the MHIs are $10,000-plus below the Pennsylvania average and more than $11,000 below national averages. The seats in the 1st, 2nd, and 14th Districts are extremely "safe" for Democrats.
What about another traditionally safe seat -- that of Rep. Jack Murtha in the 12th District? There, population growth has not just been slow, but rather non-existent. Barone and Cohen estimate there's been a decline of 17,000 residents since the turn of the century. Population in Murtha's hometown of Johnstown has been in decline for two generations -- and has fallen about 6% since the year 2000.
When Murtha was born 75 years ago, the population of Johnstown was more than 60,000, but now it's just over 20,000. As a leader, unfortunately, he's been the human equivalent of the Johnstown Flood.
The MHI in the 12th is $30,600, almost exactly the same as in inner-city Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It has been a depressed area, and there's little prospect that will change under its current Congressman, John Murtha. What jobs have been created in the Johnstown area are the type that result from short-term government handouts ("earmarks") and that rarely outlast the tenure of a powerful congressman. They're the kind of jobs not available to most recent graduates.
Murtha gets great credit for all he's "done" for the 12th District -- and especially Johnstown. A critic would say that Murtha has driven such a huge number of people -- especially the young -- from Johnstown that unemployment appears to be relatively low (although still higher than national averages).
Some Republicans in Pennsylvania, particularly the 12th, throw up their hands. They'll tell you that Murtha is an "icon," that he's the "savior" of his district. Of course, the facts are very different. He's handed out hundreds of millions in earmarks, and the main beneficiaries have been corporate executives, high-priced professionals, and lobbyists.
One lobbying group headed by a former Murtha aide (PMA Group, led by Paul Magliochetti) has given him over a million dollars in contributions. They certainly didn't do so for his expertise in good government or his talents in job creation.
The points I've been making about Murtha aren't easy ones to get across to typical voters. However, when many people are relatively poor and short on prospects, they know it, much as they might wish things were otherwise.
Can Bill Russell win against an entrenched, cash-rich incumbent like Murtha? He can if he can raise enough money to get his message across and mobilize supporters who know the real story in Pennsylvania generally -- and in the 12th District particularly.
Showing posts with label Johnstown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Johnstown. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Russell Meeting Upcoming
There will be an important "Meet the Candidate" upcoming (details will follow) in Johnstown, PA. The featured candidate will be Lt. Col. William T. Russell of Johnstown, who's running for the 12th District congressional seat against John Murtha. It will be a great opportunity for you to meet fellow political activists.
Many people have contributed to Bill Russell and many, many more will. If you haven't contributed yet, do at the Russell web site. If you'd like to send a check by mail, it should go to:
William Russell for Congress
P.O. Box 630
Johnstown, PA 15907
It's critically important to raise "early money" in order to establish a foundation for victory. This is a national effort that's getting support from all 50 states.
I've written many columns here on exactly how Murtha can be defeated. However, the key to victory lies with people like you who believe deeply that the Murtha era must come to an end for the good of our troops and the country as a whole.
Lobbyists and other who have benefited from Murtha's government handouts are pouring money into his campaign. These people need to be confronted with the error of their ways, as their "contributions" are compromising our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as causing economic harm to the country.
To defeat both Murtha and the special interests that support him, people of moderate and conservative views need to step up and back an outstanding American, Lt. Col. William T. Russell. The total focus of this campaign is victory on Election Eve.
Team Russell needs your strong support. You'll be part of an army of volunteers.
Many people have contributed to Bill Russell and many, many more will. If you haven't contributed yet, do at the Russell web site. If you'd like to send a check by mail, it should go to:
William Russell for Congress
P.O. Box 630
Johnstown, PA 15907
It's critically important to raise "early money" in order to establish a foundation for victory. This is a national effort that's getting support from all 50 states.
I've written many columns here on exactly how Murtha can be defeated. However, the key to victory lies with people like you who believe deeply that the Murtha era must come to an end for the good of our troops and the country as a whole.
Lobbyists and other who have benefited from Murtha's government handouts are pouring money into his campaign. These people need to be confronted with the error of their ways, as their "contributions" are compromising our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as causing economic harm to the country.
To defeat both Murtha and the special interests that support him, people of moderate and conservative views need to step up and back an outstanding American, Lt. Col. William T. Russell. The total focus of this campaign is victory on Election Eve.
Team Russell needs your strong support. You'll be part of an army of volunteers.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
"DOWN GOES MURTHA, DOWN GOES MURTHA"
"DOWN GOES FRAZIER! DOWN GOES FRAZIER" (From a famous boxing match between "Smokin' Joe Frazier and Muhammed Ali.) Lt. Col. Russell will play the role of Ali.)
I sent the following to Chris at http://thehotjoints.com/, the most recent person to join “Bloggers for Russell”
Chris, Thanks very much for joining the Bloggers for Russell. On William's web site there will be a steady stream of releases and comments over the next 11 months (yikes! that's a long time). It's critically important at this early stage of the campaign that everyone who supports Russell make at least a small contribution.
I'll have everybody up on The Bloggers for Russell-- there are about 40 now -- within the next week. Much appreciate the support. As is happening with Huckabee in Iowa, the bloggers are going to be William Russell's secret weapon in defeating Murtha.
Chris, you’re right that Murtha’s comments on Haditha were outrageous. For political gain, he damaged our soldiers and provided propaganda for our enemies in Iraq.
My suggestion -- and I'm working on the "outside" and NOT a member of the Russell Campaign Staff -- would be with Issue #1 to rub Murtha's nose in Haditha on every possible opportunity. His comments were totally self-serving, designed to get support for him as Majority Leader among far-left, anti-military Democrats. Supporting our troops does not mean making statements that put their lives in danger.
Another big issue is that he's done nothing for 90% of the 12th congressional district (outside his home county of Cambria). As I’ve pointed out in previous columns, the Median Household Income in the 12th is one of the lowest in Pennsylvania.
A major reason for this is that Murtha has relied almost exclusively on government handouts – “earmarks” – and has done nothing to stimulate the growth of private business. Even in his favored place, Johnstown, Murtha’s actions have led to a steady population decline. The area is beautiful and the souls there are hard-working, good people, and I’m happy to live among them, but Murtha has done little for them.
On October 30, 2007, The Wall Street Journal had an article about how Murtha's earmarks had "rebuilt" home town. However, the Journal is wrong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources show that Murtha's "rebuilding' is an illusion -- a case of self-promotion.
In this century, the population of Johnstown, PA, has gone down by more than 7%. That's NOT the sign of an economy and a community that growing and thriving. Yes, unemployment in Cambria County has gone down, but that's because so many people who couldn't find jobs left the area.
The third issue is that he’s done everything possible to advance the power of Nancy Pelosi and others just as bad, which totally conflicts with his bogus image of being a "conservative" Democrat. Pelosi and her main supporters in Congress stand for everything that's detestible to voters in the 12t District. Murtha managed Pelosi’s campaign for the majority leadership and was one of the Democrats who voted for her as Speaker of the House. When the voters of the District figure out that Murtha and Pelosi are joined at the hip, they will react with revulsion.
A congressman can't be a complete backer of Pelosi and a supporter of things that matter to voters of the 12th District. He says one thing to his constituents and something else in Pelosi's quarters.
Pelosi believes that Murtha is “a good man.” Well, he might be a good something but he’s not a good MAN.
Is the approach I suggest “too negative?” Actually, it’s important for a congressional candidate – William T. Russell in this instance – to indicate both why he should be elected – and why his opponent should not. It's NOT negativity to tell the truth about Jack Murtha’s many failings, and that’s exactly what I’ve done. (Scroll down to see fact-based criticisms of Murtha.
One thing Democratic guru Joe Trippi says that I agree with is that the essence of a campaign should be on a single three-by-five card. The three issues I highlight will fit on that card. I hope the Russell Campaign focuses on basic points that emphasize exactly WHY Murtha must go.
Haditha, the Economy, and Pelosi: if Russell gets these three points across we all stay up very late on Election Night.
____________________
HOW TO WIN A CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION: ADVICE FOR WILLIAM RUSSELL
People keep asking me: "But how William Russell win against a powerful incumbent congressman (John Murtha) who's sold out to everyone with a huge handful of cash (lobbyists, basically)? And I keep telling them exactly how William Rusell can win -- and, I believe, will win. Russell symbolizes everything that's good and wholesome about American society -- being a soldier, a husband, a father of young children, and a thoroughly principled man.
In the 12th District, there are approximately 650,000 people and roughly 320,000 registered voters -- most of them, admitedly, Democrats. But they don't invariably vote for Democrats. George Bush, not the most popular guy in Pennsylvania, carried Murtha's home county (Cambria) in 2004. And Bush came close to carrying the entire 12th District (getting 49%-plus of the vote). p
To win the 12th District, William needs to identify at least 100 very influential individuals. Only a few of these people will be affluent people who will make large donations to his campaign. Trust me, most of the rich people in the 12th will support John Murtha, because he's the person who's played a major role in making them rich. Basically, he's helped funnel your tax money to them, and they reciprocate by giving him hefty campaign "contributions." In reality, they're giving him a cut of YOUR tax money. In contrast, the influential people making small donations to William realize that he's not for sale.
(Go to http://opensecrets.org/, plug in the name "John Murtha" and you can see how much money he's raised -- a year before the election! You'll also see exactly who's given it. They're mainly lobbyists and influence-peddlers, people described by John Brady (author of "Bad Boy") as "overpaid people who made their oversized livings with retainer fees based on influence rather than ability, people who could not explain what they did for a living in less than a paragraph.")
If you track Murtha's "contributions" carefully, and I hope you will, you'll find that most of his contributions are coming from DC, VA, and MD. That's where the lobbyists ply their questinable trades. Many of the Murtha contributions that appear to come from Johnstown actually have their origins in companies solidly embedded in the Washington Beltway.
So, since William is going to have a lot less money than Murtha, he has to rely heavily influentials that are real residents of the 12th District and are keys to victory. Here's how Internet guru Joe Trippi describes such people:
"In a place like Jones County, Iowa, you get Jimmy Hogan [a well-liked family farmer and local Democratic official] and you were halfway to delivering the whole [darn] county."
Trippi continues, "This is something not everyone realizes about our political system. Not all voters are created equal. Some people carry more influence."
"In his book on consumer 'epidemics,' The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell writes, '. . . the success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts.' Gladwell calls these influential people, people like Jimmy Hogan, 'connectors.'"
Trippi adds, "In the [Howard] Dean campaign, we called them bloggers."
As I've explained in my discussion of Bloggers 4 Rusell -- now up to 40 and eventually to reach 400 -- the blogs will be a key NATIONAL factor in building support for William. Dozens of bloggers are making contributions to William's campaign -- and hundreds of bloggers will do so in the future. Many of the tens of thousands of people who will visit such blogs will do the same.
In terms of connectors -- people who are very social and seem to "know everybody," I've only been in the 12th District for about a day, but I've found four "connectors" -- and will find many more.
One of the connectors is Melanie, a greeter at a restaurant. Another is Rhonda, the outspoken sister-in-law of a soldier killed in Iraq. Yet another is the head of a local Republican Party. A fourth is an obvious choice, Diana Lynn Irey, who ran against Murtha in 2006 -- and garnered nearly 80,000 votes.
A tremendous blog effort is going to be an important factor, but by itself, it's not enough. There also must be an intense effort to find "connectors" and commit them to the Russell cause.
Connectors are people like ministers, priests, and rabbis, as well as barbers/hair stylists, local officials, police personnel, heads of organizations like the American Legion, and many others. They spend a lot of time talking about events of local significance, especially political campaigns.
Get the bloggers and the connectors -- and then you win the election. And you've struck a major blow for good government.
(Note: Material on this blog is NOT copyrighted. You're welcome to use it on your own blog or other outlet. Just be sure to give credit where credit is due. Thanks.)
I sent the following to Chris at http://thehotjoints.com/, the most recent person to join “Bloggers for Russell”
Chris, Thanks very much for joining the Bloggers for Russell. On William's web site there will be a steady stream of releases and comments over the next 11 months (yikes! that's a long time). It's critically important at this early stage of the campaign that everyone who supports Russell make at least a small contribution.
I'll have everybody up on The Bloggers for Russell-- there are about 40 now -- within the next week. Much appreciate the support. As is happening with Huckabee in Iowa, the bloggers are going to be William Russell's secret weapon in defeating Murtha.
Chris, you’re right that Murtha’s comments on Haditha were outrageous. For political gain, he damaged our soldiers and provided propaganda for our enemies in Iraq.
My suggestion -- and I'm working on the "outside" and NOT a member of the Russell Campaign Staff -- would be with Issue #1 to rub Murtha's nose in Haditha on every possible opportunity. His comments were totally self-serving, designed to get support for him as Majority Leader among far-left, anti-military Democrats. Supporting our troops does not mean making statements that put their lives in danger.
Another big issue is that he's done nothing for 90% of the 12th congressional district (outside his home county of Cambria). As I’ve pointed out in previous columns, the Median Household Income in the 12th is one of the lowest in Pennsylvania.
A major reason for this is that Murtha has relied almost exclusively on government handouts – “earmarks” – and has done nothing to stimulate the growth of private business. Even in his favored place, Johnstown, Murtha’s actions have led to a steady population decline. The area is beautiful and the souls there are hard-working, good people, and I’m happy to live among them, but Murtha has done little for them.
On October 30, 2007, The Wall Street Journal had an article about how Murtha's earmarks had "rebuilt" home town. However, the Journal is wrong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources show that Murtha's "rebuilding' is an illusion -- a case of self-promotion.
In this century, the population of Johnstown, PA, has gone down by more than 7%. That's NOT the sign of an economy and a community that growing and thriving. Yes, unemployment in Cambria County has gone down, but that's because so many people who couldn't find jobs left the area.
The third issue is that he’s done everything possible to advance the power of Nancy Pelosi and others just as bad, which totally conflicts with his bogus image of being a "conservative" Democrat. Pelosi and her main supporters in Congress stand for everything that's detestible to voters in the 12t District. Murtha managed Pelosi’s campaign for the majority leadership and was one of the Democrats who voted for her as Speaker of the House. When the voters of the District figure out that Murtha and Pelosi are joined at the hip, they will react with revulsion.
A congressman can't be a complete backer of Pelosi and a supporter of things that matter to voters of the 12th District. He says one thing to his constituents and something else in Pelosi's quarters.
Pelosi believes that Murtha is “a good man.” Well, he might be a good something but he’s not a good MAN.
Is the approach I suggest “too negative?” Actually, it’s important for a congressional candidate – William T. Russell in this instance – to indicate both why he should be elected – and why his opponent should not. It's NOT negativity to tell the truth about Jack Murtha’s many failings, and that’s exactly what I’ve done. (Scroll down to see fact-based criticisms of Murtha.
One thing Democratic guru Joe Trippi says that I agree with is that the essence of a campaign should be on a single three-by-five card. The three issues I highlight will fit on that card. I hope the Russell Campaign focuses on basic points that emphasize exactly WHY Murtha must go.
Haditha, the Economy, and Pelosi: if Russell gets these three points across we all stay up very late on Election Night.
____________________
HOW TO WIN A CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION: ADVICE FOR WILLIAM RUSSELL
People keep asking me: "But how William Russell win against a powerful incumbent congressman (John Murtha) who's sold out to everyone with a huge handful of cash (lobbyists, basically)? And I keep telling them exactly how William Rusell can win -- and, I believe, will win. Russell symbolizes everything that's good and wholesome about American society -- being a soldier, a husband, a father of young children, and a thoroughly principled man.
In the 12th District, there are approximately 650,000 people and roughly 320,000 registered voters -- most of them, admitedly, Democrats. But they don't invariably vote for Democrats. George Bush, not the most popular guy in Pennsylvania, carried Murtha's home county (Cambria) in 2004. And Bush came close to carrying the entire 12th District (getting 49%-plus of the vote). p
To win the 12th District, William needs to identify at least 100 very influential individuals. Only a few of these people will be affluent people who will make large donations to his campaign. Trust me, most of the rich people in the 12th will support John Murtha, because he's the person who's played a major role in making them rich. Basically, he's helped funnel your tax money to them, and they reciprocate by giving him hefty campaign "contributions." In reality, they're giving him a cut of YOUR tax money. In contrast, the influential people making small donations to William realize that he's not for sale.
(Go to http://opensecrets.org/, plug in the name "John Murtha" and you can see how much money he's raised -- a year before the election! You'll also see exactly who's given it. They're mainly lobbyists and influence-peddlers, people described by John Brady (author of "Bad Boy") as "overpaid people who made their oversized livings with retainer fees based on influence rather than ability, people who could not explain what they did for a living in less than a paragraph.")
If you track Murtha's "contributions" carefully, and I hope you will, you'll find that most of his contributions are coming from DC, VA, and MD. That's where the lobbyists ply their questinable trades. Many of the Murtha contributions that appear to come from Johnstown actually have their origins in companies solidly embedded in the Washington Beltway.
So, since William is going to have a lot less money than Murtha, he has to rely heavily influentials that are real residents of the 12th District and are keys to victory. Here's how Internet guru Joe Trippi describes such people:
"In a place like Jones County, Iowa, you get Jimmy Hogan [a well-liked family farmer and local Democratic official] and you were halfway to delivering the whole [darn] county."
Trippi continues, "This is something not everyone realizes about our political system. Not all voters are created equal. Some people carry more influence."
"In his book on consumer 'epidemics,' The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell writes, '. . . the success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts.' Gladwell calls these influential people, people like Jimmy Hogan, 'connectors.'"
Trippi adds, "In the [Howard] Dean campaign, we called them bloggers."
As I've explained in my discussion of Bloggers 4 Rusell -- now up to 40 and eventually to reach 400 -- the blogs will be a key NATIONAL factor in building support for William. Dozens of bloggers are making contributions to William's campaign -- and hundreds of bloggers will do so in the future. Many of the tens of thousands of people who will visit such blogs will do the same.
In terms of connectors -- people who are very social and seem to "know everybody," I've only been in the 12th District for about a day, but I've found four "connectors" -- and will find many more.
One of the connectors is Melanie, a greeter at a restaurant. Another is Rhonda, the outspoken sister-in-law of a soldier killed in Iraq. Yet another is the head of a local Republican Party. A fourth is an obvious choice, Diana Lynn Irey, who ran against Murtha in 2006 -- and garnered nearly 80,000 votes.
A tremendous blog effort is going to be an important factor, but by itself, it's not enough. There also must be an intense effort to find "connectors" and commit them to the Russell cause.
Connectors are people like ministers, priests, and rabbis, as well as barbers/hair stylists, local officials, police personnel, heads of organizations like the American Legion, and many others. They spend a lot of time talking about events of local significance, especially political campaigns.
Get the bloggers and the connectors -- and then you win the election. And you've struck a major blow for good government.
(Note: Material on this blog is NOT copyrighted. You're welcome to use it on your own blog or other outlet. Just be sure to give credit where credit is due. Thanks.)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
John Murtha: "Where's The Bacon?"
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 (This is part of a column from my other site: Scroll down a little to see the "Where's the Bacon" piece, the most important one I've ever written about John Murtha.
MURTHA: TREATING VOTERS LIKE CHILDREN
As more and more of you are learning, I'm "transitioning" from this web site to a new, permanent site at: http://stevemaloneygop.blogspot.com/. I'll be writing this month (December) about some extremely important races for the House and Senate -- Melissa Hart (R.) against Rep. Jason Altmire (D.) in the PA 4th District, Lt. Col. William Russell (R.) against John Murtha (D.) in the PA 12th District and Heather Wilson (R.) against Steve Pearce (R.) in the Republican primary for the New Mexico Senate race.Please visit my new site (you're on it now) and bookmark it.
You're always welcome here. My goal is not, unlike many other blogs, to "steal" tidbits of news from the campaigns or the MSM. Instead, I will dicuss how Republicans (moderates AND conservatives) can wage effective campaigns against tough opponents, such as John Murtha and Jason Altmire.
I will not accept "conventional wisdom," such as (erroneous) statements about how much Murtha has done for the 12th District.In short, I'm not into gossip, titillation, and nonsense. What I say about the Russell-Murtha race applies to many other districts around the country.
___________________________________________________________
In the 12th Congressional District, people in the Johnstown, PA, home of John Murtha (and of Lt. Col. William Russell) often say something like: “Yeah, ole John is something of a loudmouth and a bully, but he sure does one thing: He brings home the bacon.”
Mark Twain once said, “The problem with many people is that what they KNOW is true . . . isn’t.”
In the 12th, John Murtha has brought home something, but it doesn’t really qualify as bacon.
Here's how the wonderful Almanac of American Politics describes the 12th District:"The mountains and valleys within a 100-mile radius of Pittsburgh comprise one of America's most beautiful--and economically troubled--regions. This has been tough, hard-working country ever since Scots-Irish farmers settled here in the 1790s. Their first big product was whiskey--this was the site of the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794--but historically the most important product was bituminous coal. Discovered in the 19th century, it was the basic energy source for the production of iron and steel."
The Almanac continues: "The offspring of the original settlers were joined by immigrants from Italy, Poland and Czechoslovakia, living in little frame houses packed into the towns on interstices between hills and rivers, within walking distance of steel factories, foundries and coal mine shafts."
Now, the steel mills are mostly closed and coal mines mainly abandoned. They haven't really been replaced. And the District has more in common with traditional Appalachia than it does the pricey ‘burbs of Philly and Pittsburgh.
So, John Murtha, “where’s the beef?” And, especially, where’s your legendary bacon?
It’s nowhere, unless the bacon consists of federal handouts – “earmarks” for special projects -- that benefit the few -- and have little or no effect on the many.
In the 12th congressional district, the median household income (MHI) in the Almanac's 2006 issue was $30,600. In the inner-city mostly Black 2nd district of Philadelphia, represneted by Democrat Chakah Fattah, , the MHI is . . . $30,600. Wow.
Fattah's district is one of the two in PA that's losing population -- the other being the city of Pittsburgh district (the 18th) represented by Democrat Mike Doyle. Most areas of the 12th have also lost population, but that's balanced by strong growth south of Pittsburgh. (See the discussion below of Washington County.)
In Mike Doyle’s mainly down-at-the-hells city district, the median household income is $30,100 -- just a hair below the number in Murtha's 12th.
In contrast, look at the Pennsylvania 4th District, where I vote. Half the district consists of old mill towns, such as Aliquippa and Ambridge, where I live, as well as semi-rural areas north of Pittsburgh. However, the MHI in this district is $43,500 -- nearly $13,000 more than in the 12th.
In Republican Rep. Tim Murphy's 18th district, mostly area south of Pittsburgh, the MHI is $45,000. If Murtha lives to age 125, the 12th will not see a MHI that high.
Many people in the 12th, particularly those in Johnstown, firmly believe that "John Murtha takes care of us." If we just look at MHIs, we find they're dead wrong.
Washington County, far west of Johnstown, is largely ignored by Murtha. That County is increasingly dominated by Republicans, such as Diana Irey, and economic growth, job creation, and tax restraint are very strong. Once a Democratic bastion, Washington should go strongly for Russell.
Generally, however, the 12th is a place where young people can get a good education (at places like Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Washington & Jefferson, Pitt-Johnstown, Waynesburg College). Then, many of those college graduates say good-bye to their families and go elsewhere to get a decent job.
John Murtha's temporary infusions of taxpayer-funded jobs has no appeal to them. Yes, some people, mostly corporate executives and lobbyists, have benefited greatly from Murtha's earmarks.
He has apparently used "earmarks" to raise the compensation of some hospital surgeons from roughly $200,000 annually to $250,000 and up. And a few Johnstown lobbyists far from their corporate headquarters wait in vain for their phones to ring while they meditate on their six-figure salaries.
For the most part, the people of the 12th, particularly those in rural Greene County, have not prospered as a result of any actions by Murtha. He has abjectly failed to bring in the kind of businesses that would raise the wages and benefits of real people -- the kind that make up most of the population of the 12th. That district has MHI at or below the numbers we find in areas identified with urban poverty.
Granted, some voters in the 12th fear that, for all his faults, Murtha's leaving would make things worse. Frankly, that may not be possible.The region, as the Almanac suggests, is beautiful. The people come from sturdy stock and are willing to work hard. It’s an area that yearns for some good-paying manufacturing jobs.
So, why is Toyota be establishing a huge auto assembly plant in tiny Blue Springs, Mississippi -- and not in the 12th District? One reason may be that they don't want to deal with a congressman, John Murtha, famous for pushing people around and extorting huge campaign “contributions.”
Trust me, Toyota and other successful companies want nothing to do with "The Prince of Pork."The solution obviously is to elect a man dedicated to creating real jobs and promoting private enterprise businesses. That individual is Lt. Col. William Trower Russell.
If Murtha stays as congressman, the 12th will remain in its own version of suspended economic animation.
Monday, December 3, 2007
The Most-Hated Congressman: Murtha
"Tell Michael it was only business." (The Godfather)
Let me tell you a story: When I worked as a communications executive at Gulf Oil, my boss said about one senior executive: "Nobody likes him [Harold Hammer]." I said, "Oh, I've worked with the guy and I kinda like him."
My boss looked at me and said, "Oh, Maloney, you don't count. You like everybody." Yikes -- he found me out.
I don't like Congressman John Murtha. I'm extremely hostile to the man. I've said I believe he has "blood on his hands." The blood I'm referring is that of American servicemen and servicewomen who are fighting an al-Qaida force that Murtha has never to my knowledge criticized. In his gratuitous comments about the Haditha Marines, he inflicted great damage on individuals (and their families) who apparently were guilty of nothing more than doing their jobs.
So, how should one react to such a person. Yes, he's a hero to some people in Johnstown, PA, but why? On the night of November 16, I rode by that city's "John Murtha Cancer Center." The thought occurred to me that John Murtha had contributed as much of his own money to the facility as I had -- nothing. For that "gracious gesture," some people believe they need to do the equivalent of kiss the man's . . . ring.
People ask me: "Maloney, you who like everyone -- save Murtha of course -- where do you find all those bloggers to oppose Murtha and support Lt. Col. Russell? Well, if you subscribe to Google Alerts for blogs about Murtha, you find the following:
Google News Alert for: John Murtha Blogs
CNN Under Fire For Debate Questions U.S. News & World Report - Washington,DC,USA John Murtha, a leading war critic, said this week "he saw signs of military progress during a brief trip to Iraq last week, but he warned that Iraqis need ...See all stories on this topic
Rep. Murtha finds that surge is working and falsely claims he ...Power Line - Minneapolis,MN,USAJohn Murtha, having returned from a trip to Iraq, acknowledges that the US military surge is working. Murtha also reports that the morale of the ...See all stories on this topic
Friday's Mini-ReportThe Carpetbagger Report - USA When Jack Murtha was quoted yesterday saying that the "surge is working," it sparked all kinds of interest. As it turns out, that isn't what Murtha actually ...See all stories on this topic
Google Blogs Alert for: John Murtha Blogs
Murtha Backpedals from his Backpedaling on Iraq By Ferdinand T Cat Quite frankly, I don't care if the Iraqi government does everything Murtha wants. I don't even want the US government doing everything Murtha wants. In fact, I think that not listening to John Murtha is the key to making this world a ...Conservative Cat - http://www.conservativecat.com/
Shocker. John Murtha 'I think the Surge is Working' Bill's BlogH/T: Bill Amos; McClatchy Watch Anti-Surge politician now declares "the surge is working" Nov 29, 2007, 7:57pm: Bill's Blog has the story of John Murtha's analysis of the surge. Bottom line: Murtha now believes the surge is working. ...shoutingmat.ch (political) - http://political.shoutingmat.ch
Murtha Quote About the 'Surge' Was Completely Misunderstood.By mklasing Well as many bloggers now know, US Representative John Murtha stated yesterday that after his trip to Iraq, he now thinks that "the 'surge' is working." See (Murtha: Surge is Working) This from a man who has stated in the past that we ...Murphy Klasing's Conservative Blog - http://mklasing.wordpress.com
Murtha 'clarifies' his comments on the surgeBy media@politico.com (The Crypt)TOP 10 Blogs - http://www.politico.com I Was Against the Surge, before I Was For the SurgeBy Urban Conservative Once again, liberal scum John Murtha has changed his position about the recent surge in Iraq. With all do respect to the former Marine; because I also served 8 years in the Corps — how can anyone be proud to be a democrat with this type ...Conservative Blog: Urban Conservative... - http://www.urbanconservative.com
In short, finding bloggers who can't stand Murtha is about as hard as finding cats that say "Meow."
No other congressman in the U.S. --and no Senator -- evokes the kind of hostility Murtha does. The Bloggers are livid about the man's behavior. Heck, the MSM is even growing tired of his bombast and contradictions.
Many people think the man is totally self-absorbed. He seemingly thinks preserving his House seat is more important than protecting American troops. Is there evidence to the contrary?
He hands out hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to companies that return the favor with tens of millions in political contributions. Hey wait, wouldn't that mean Murtha was financing his extravagant campains with OUR tax dollars. As Murtha would say, "That's the way we do business here." It stinks.
The Prince of Pork, as I said the other day, is becoming a Human Pig-Sty. Would I shake the man's hand? Not unless I was wearing gloves. He's becoming radioactive. He's a disgrace to the institution of Congress.
In a way, I don't envy Lt. Col. William Russell. He has to run against this barbarian. To William I say, "If you're ever in the presence of this odious critter, wear gloves -- and leave as quickly as possible."
Many people vote for the man out of fear. They're afraid Johnstow, sans Murtha, would start looking like Nineveh and Tryre. They open their mouths and he stuffs in a taxpayer-funded pacifier.
I hope to write more about what John Murtha has done for Johnstown and Cambria County, and I assure you that it's not much. He's done a lot less for other 85% of the district, much of which continues to look suspiciously like Appalachia on a bad day.
Yeah, Murtha may be unbeatable. But it's frightening what people like him do to the democratic process.
Let me tell you a story: When I worked as a communications executive at Gulf Oil, my boss said about one senior executive: "Nobody likes him [Harold Hammer]." I said, "Oh, I've worked with the guy and I kinda like him."
My boss looked at me and said, "Oh, Maloney, you don't count. You like everybody." Yikes -- he found me out.
I don't like Congressman John Murtha. I'm extremely hostile to the man. I've said I believe he has "blood on his hands." The blood I'm referring is that of American servicemen and servicewomen who are fighting an al-Qaida force that Murtha has never to my knowledge criticized. In his gratuitous comments about the Haditha Marines, he inflicted great damage on individuals (and their families) who apparently were guilty of nothing more than doing their jobs.
So, how should one react to such a person. Yes, he's a hero to some people in Johnstown, PA, but why? On the night of November 16, I rode by that city's "John Murtha Cancer Center." The thought occurred to me that John Murtha had contributed as much of his own money to the facility as I had -- nothing. For that "gracious gesture," some people believe they need to do the equivalent of kiss the man's . . . ring.
People ask me: "Maloney, you who like everyone -- save Murtha of course -- where do you find all those bloggers to oppose Murtha and support Lt. Col. Russell? Well, if you subscribe to Google Alerts for blogs about Murtha, you find the following:
Google News Alert for: John Murtha Blogs
CNN Under Fire For Debate Questions U.S. News & World Report - Washington,DC,USA John Murtha, a leading war critic, said this week "he saw signs of military progress during a brief trip to Iraq last week, but he warned that Iraqis need ...See all stories on this topic
Rep. Murtha finds that surge is working and falsely claims he ...Power Line - Minneapolis,MN,USAJohn Murtha, having returned from a trip to Iraq, acknowledges that the US military surge is working. Murtha also reports that the morale of the ...See all stories on this topic
Friday's Mini-ReportThe Carpetbagger Report - USA When Jack Murtha was quoted yesterday saying that the "surge is working," it sparked all kinds of interest. As it turns out, that isn't what Murtha actually ...See all stories on this topic
Google Blogs Alert for: John Murtha Blogs
Murtha Backpedals from his Backpedaling on Iraq By Ferdinand T Cat Quite frankly, I don't care if the Iraqi government does everything Murtha wants. I don't even want the US government doing everything Murtha wants. In fact, I think that not listening to John Murtha is the key to making this world a ...Conservative Cat - http://www.conservativecat.com/
Shocker. John Murtha 'I think the Surge is Working' Bill's BlogH/T: Bill Amos; McClatchy Watch Anti-Surge politician now declares "the surge is working" Nov 29, 2007, 7:57pm: Bill's Blog has the story of John Murtha's analysis of the surge. Bottom line: Murtha now believes the surge is working. ...shoutingmat.ch (political) - http://political.shoutingmat.ch
Murtha Quote About the 'Surge' Was Completely Misunderstood.By mklasing Well as many bloggers now know, US Representative John Murtha stated yesterday that after his trip to Iraq, he now thinks that "the 'surge' is working." See (Murtha: Surge is Working) This from a man who has stated in the past that we ...Murphy Klasing's Conservative Blog - http://mklasing.wordpress.com
Murtha 'clarifies' his comments on the surgeBy media@politico.com (The Crypt)
In short, finding bloggers who can't stand Murtha is about as hard as finding cats that say "Meow."
No other congressman in the U.S. --and no Senator -- evokes the kind of hostility Murtha does. The Bloggers are livid about the man's behavior. Heck, the MSM is even growing tired of his bombast and contradictions.
Many people think the man is totally self-absorbed. He seemingly thinks preserving his House seat is more important than protecting American troops. Is there evidence to the contrary?
He hands out hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to companies that return the favor with tens of millions in political contributions. Hey wait, wouldn't that mean Murtha was financing his extravagant campains with OUR tax dollars. As Murtha would say, "That's the way we do business here." It stinks.
The Prince of Pork, as I said the other day, is becoming a Human Pig-Sty. Would I shake the man's hand? Not unless I was wearing gloves. He's becoming radioactive. He's a disgrace to the institution of Congress.
In a way, I don't envy Lt. Col. William Russell. He has to run against this barbarian. To William I say, "If you're ever in the presence of this odious critter, wear gloves -- and leave as quickly as possible."
Many people vote for the man out of fear. They're afraid Johnstow, sans Murtha, would start looking like Nineveh and Tryre. They open their mouths and he stuffs in a taxpayer-funded pacifier.
I hope to write more about what John Murtha has done for Johnstown and Cambria County, and I assure you that it's not much. He's done a lot less for other 85% of the district, much of which continues to look suspiciously like Appalachia on a bad day.
Yeah, Murtha may be unbeatable. But it's frightening what people like him do to the democratic process.
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