In his campaign against John Murtha, Bill Russell's campaign slogan is: "Embrace The Future!" It's a great tagline, because Murtha with his corruption, his bullying manner, and his total incomprehension of the War on Terror is certainly "The Voice of Christmas Past."
Russell, a husband, a father of two young children, and an Army Ranger who saw action in Desert Storm, the Balkins, and Iraqi Freedom is the Voice of the Future, for America generally and PA's 12th District specifically.
I've suggested another slogan, perhaps for bumper stickers: "Support Our Troops . . . Elect Russell." In fact, our troops -- in their role of killing or capturing terrorists -- will play a major role in advancing our country's future. We can't afford another 9/11 -- materially, psychologically, or spiritually. If we couldn't stop al Qaida from launching terrorist attacks against the U.S. and our allies, we would have a very uncertain future.
One critical way we can support our troops is to vote for soldiers -- and their staunchest supporters -- running for federal offices. That's why this blog is backing Iraq War vets like Bill Russell (PA), Eric Egland (CA), and Duncan Duane Hunter (CA), as well as the only female veteran in Congress, Heather Wilson. I'm also supporting Melissa A. Hart (PA), who's not a veteran but is a true Warrior in her commitment to our military, and I'm supporting Rep. Jean Schmidt of Ohio for the same reasons. We need ALL these people in the Congress, and I urge you to visit their web sites.
It's important that we get Representatives and Senators in Washington, DC who are familiar with the situation we face in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. Russell, Egland, Hunter, Hart, Schmidt, and Wilson are people who know what must be done to protect America -- and to turn around the dangerous situations in the MidEast (e.g., Iraq and Iran) and Pakistan.
In the past, Jack Murtha has received significant support from veterans and their families. But with Murtha's defeatist -- and demonstrably false -- statements about the Haditha Marines and others, there's no excuse for ANY veteran voting for him. A vote for Murtha is a vote against American soldiers and veterans.
Frightened people -- and Murtha is one -- in Congress are trying to turn military victory, which we're achieving, into political defeat. As Bill Russell has pointed out, they are trying to turn Iraq into another Vietnam. Murtha wants to "redeploy" soldiers in war zones to faraway Okinawa. He might as well call for a disbanding of the military. He's basically inviting al Qaida to turn Iraq into a terrorist playground.
Active duty soliders and veterans in the 12th District -- as many as 50,000 individuals -- understand that Murtha now has "blood on his hands." His statements, so comforting to America's enemies, domestic and foreign, have certainly led to the deaths of many Americans -- and others.
Calling American Marines "cold-blooders killers" is not the kind of statement any decent human being makes. It was false in every particular, and it did nothing but benefit the enemy.
People who truly support our troops will not back Jack Murtha. They will not give him money -- basically payoffs for his federal handouts -- and they will not give him their votes.
Everyone who believes Murtha Must Go should volunteer to join Team Russell. Also, patriotic Americans must provide Russell the funds he needs to win. Hundreds of people have contributed to the campaign -- and many thousands more will do so. Today is the time to do so.
NOTE: I'm getting questions about Melissa Hart, who is running in my own district (PA 4th) against Jason Altmire, a pseudo-conservative Democrat, to regain her seat. You can contribute to Melissa, a wonderful conservative, by sending a check to the following:
People With Hart
PO Box 435
Wexford, PA 15090
At the same time, please send a check to:
William Russell for Congress
PO Box 630
Johnstown, PA 15907
Please look at your contributions as an Investment in America's Future.
Showing posts with label William T. Russell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label William T. Russell. Show all posts
Friday, December 28, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Russell-Murtha: Warrior Vs. Wimp
Veterans and William Russell: In the 12th District of PA, there are approximately 50,000 veterans and active duty soldiers.
It's critical that the Russell Campaign comes as close as possible to contacting every one of them. Any veteran who's been paying attention to Murtha's antics is not going to vote for him. In this case it's the Warrior, Russell, versus the Wimp, Murtha.
With his despicable comments about the Haditha Marines, Murtha is going to learn the full meaning of an old saying: "Sin in haste, repent at leisure."
In additions to the vets, there may be 100,000-plus family members (mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, and cousins) of current or past soldiers. Again, it's necessary to contact as many as possible. Face-to-face contact is the best kind.
Mailings can be expensive. Sending out 100,000 letters will have a postage cost alone of $41,000. That's going to be a lot of money for the Russell Campaign, one that frankly needs your money. One key is to holding costs down is to send mail to the "right" people, who are those will read it and tend to react positively.
Mass mailings over the Internet are relatively inexpensive, but tricky. It's not easy (or sometimes, even cheap) to get e-mail addresses for a lot of people, although the Russell Campaign should have tens of thousands by next fall.
Successful political operatives are pack-rats. They save everything, especially names, home addresses, phone numbers, voting preferences, and e-mail addresses.
The major focus should be on contacting Democrats and Independents*. Russell is not going to have a problem attracting Republican supporters. They will find him rather than the other way around.
The most important "Democrats" are those who have a history of voting for Republicans, especially in presidential elections. Such people tend to congregate in certain zip codes, and so they're not especially hard to target.
Murtha does not have a lock on District Democrats, who have a 2.2 to 1.0 registration edge. In 2006, Democrats apparently went for Murtha by 3-2, which is a far cry from the registration picture. A good number of Democrats aren't Murtha fans. Another segment of Democrats apparently has given up on voting. (Compared to adjoining districts, the 12th has very low vote totals.)
If Russell can turn the Democrat vote ratio for Murtha from 3-2 into 4-3, then on election eve, John Murtha will turn into the political equivalent of Pumpkin. That won't be an easy task for Russell, but it's certainly not impossible. Of course, some people would vote for Murtha if he was sporting an orange jump suit (pumpkin-colored?) and shackles, which he probably should be.
*"Independents" is sometimes a euphemism for people who aren't very interested in politics and are unlikely voters. Those Independents who do vote have a tendency to split roughly 50-50. With a strong campaign of volunteers, Russell should be able to move that to 60-40 in his favor.
You can contribute to William T. Russell by going to: http://williamrussellforcongress.com/. If you'd prefer a mailing address, it is:
William Russell for Congress
P. O. Box 630
Johnstown, PA 15907
It's critical that the Russell Campaign comes as close as possible to contacting every one of them. Any veteran who's been paying attention to Murtha's antics is not going to vote for him. In this case it's the Warrior, Russell, versus the Wimp, Murtha.
With his despicable comments about the Haditha Marines, Murtha is going to learn the full meaning of an old saying: "Sin in haste, repent at leisure."
In additions to the vets, there may be 100,000-plus family members (mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, and cousins) of current or past soldiers. Again, it's necessary to contact as many as possible. Face-to-face contact is the best kind.
Mailings can be expensive. Sending out 100,000 letters will have a postage cost alone of $41,000. That's going to be a lot of money for the Russell Campaign, one that frankly needs your money. One key is to holding costs down is to send mail to the "right" people, who are those will read it and tend to react positively.
Mass mailings over the Internet are relatively inexpensive, but tricky. It's not easy (or sometimes, even cheap) to get e-mail addresses for a lot of people, although the Russell Campaign should have tens of thousands by next fall.
Successful political operatives are pack-rats. They save everything, especially names, home addresses, phone numbers, voting preferences, and e-mail addresses.
The major focus should be on contacting Democrats and Independents*. Russell is not going to have a problem attracting Republican supporters. They will find him rather than the other way around.
The most important "Democrats" are those who have a history of voting for Republicans, especially in presidential elections. Such people tend to congregate in certain zip codes, and so they're not especially hard to target.
Murtha does not have a lock on District Democrats, who have a 2.2 to 1.0 registration edge. In 2006, Democrats apparently went for Murtha by 3-2, which is a far cry from the registration picture. A good number of Democrats aren't Murtha fans. Another segment of Democrats apparently has given up on voting. (Compared to adjoining districts, the 12th has very low vote totals.)
If Russell can turn the Democrat vote ratio for Murtha from 3-2 into 4-3, then on election eve, John Murtha will turn into the political equivalent of Pumpkin. That won't be an easy task for Russell, but it's certainly not impossible. Of course, some people would vote for Murtha if he was sporting an orange jump suit (pumpkin-colored?) and shackles, which he probably should be.
*"Independents" is sometimes a euphemism for people who aren't very interested in politics and are unlikely voters. Those Independents who do vote have a tendency to split roughly 50-50. With a strong campaign of volunteers, Russell should be able to move that to 60-40 in his favor.
You can contribute to William T. Russell by going to: http://williamrussellforcongress.com/. If you'd prefer a mailing address, it is:
William Russell for Congress
P. O. Box 630
Johnstown, PA 15907
Friday, December 21, 2007
John McCain's Christmas Story
A view of downtown Pittsburgh, with the Monogahela River on the right and the Allegheny River on the left. As the two come together near Point State Park (bottom left), they form the Ohio River.My Christmas Story
As a POW, my captors would tie my arms behind my back and then loop the rope around my neck and ankles so that my head was pulled down between my knees. I was often left like that throughout the night.
One night a guard came into my cell. He put his finger to his lips signaling for me to be quiet, and then loosened my ropes to relieve my pain. The next morning, when his shift ended, the guard returned and retightened the ropes, never saying a word to me.
A month or so later, on Christmas Day, I was standing in the dirt courtyard when I saw that same guard approach me. He walked up and stood silently next to me, not looking or smiling at me.
After a few moments had passed, he rather nonchalantly used his sandaled foot to draw a cross in the dirt. We stood wordlessly looking at the cross, remembering the true light of Christmas, even in the darkness of a Vietnamese prison camp. After a minute or two, he rubbed it out and walked away.
That guard was my Good Samaritan. I will never forget that man and I will never forget that moment. And I will never forget that, no matter where you are, no matter how difficult the circumstances, there will always be someone who will pick you up and carry you.
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and Happy Holidays,
John McCain
As many of you know, I'm giving John McCain another look. I continue to believe that he and Rudy Giuliani would be outstanding presidential choices. I'm also hopeful that both of them would lean toward Gov. Sarah Palin when they're considering vice-presidential choices. Finally, on the basis of their past performance, both McCain and Giuliani would be willing to campaign for Melissa Hart and William Russell in their efforts to win congressional seats.
Mike Huckabee and Jamie Spears
I heard on CNN that candidate Mike Huckabee described the pregnancy of 16-year-old Jamie Spears (Britney's younger sister) as a "tragedy." Frankly, that's a misuse of the word "tragedy," which is not a synonym for every unfortunate event that occurs in the world.
The sad thing is that there's no solid evidence that young Miss Spears is ready to have and care for this child. Huckabee did salute her -- and wisely so -- for apparently never considering an abortion.
I wonder if her responsible behavior in choosing to have the child doesn't over-ride the irresponsible part: getting pregnant at age 16. At this point, all we can do is wish her and child well -- and provide whatever support we can for this young-mother-to-be.
The untold story in this event is what steps, if any, Miss Spears and her family are willing to take to ensure the child is loved and well-cared-for. Is she, like her older sister, intends to continue "partying" and devoting her life to a series of pointless activities, then the child truly will need our prayers.
I hope Jamie decides from this point on to be a role-model for the 800,000 American teenagers who become pregnant annually. In avoiding the easy way out of having an abortion, she may in fact be off to a good start.A
s for Mike Huckabee, he needs to read up on the concept of tragedy. I suggest he start with Aristotle's "Poetics." Also, as a Christian minister, he needs to emulate Jesus Christ in staying away from judgmentalism. "Nor do I condemn you . . . Go and sin no more."
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
BLOGGERS FOR RUSSELL: "THREE Ms"
BLOGGERS FOR RUSSELL AND THE "THREE Ms"
Here's how the Bloggers 4 Russell will work: When we get to approximately 100 Bloggers 4 Russell, they'll all be asked to make modest contributions to the Russell Campaign -- and to ask their thousands of blog visitors to do the same. Such requests for donations will be made in January, March, and May, times when it's essential that Russell store up enough monetary "acorns" to get his message across and mobilize supporters (the Three "Ms," message, mobilization, and money). As we get above 200 Bloggers 4 Russell, they'll be asked to contact bloggers and friends in PA and -- especially -- in the 12th congressional district. As the campaign goes into the spring and summer, there will be a heavy emphasis on the state and district. My personal goal is to play a role in soliciting 1,000 volunteers for Russell who will work in the district, making calls, registering and canvassing voters, stuffing envelopes, answering phones, and the like. If Russell can get 1,000 active volunteers -- people who collectively influence tens of thousands of votes -- he will win, much to Murtha's amazement.
Note: Be sure to read the column below on "President Hillary Clinton."
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Peg Luksik & Defeating Murtha
Well-said: "When government gives a shekel, it gives a shackle." By Peg Luksik, Johnstown, PA, mother of six children and a former candidate for Governor and Founder of "Mom's House," an alternative to abortion.
"With government coins, comes government control." (Me)
I met Peg in Johnstown at a William Russell function a month ago and found her to be a very impressive person. I believe I disagree with her somewhat about John Murtha's stance on the sanctity of life -- and also perhaps on the best way to campaign against him. At some point, I'd like to write more on Mrs. Luksik, with an emphasis on our different views about what's possible in American government and what's not. If you want to know more about her views while she ran for Governor (in 1998), go here.
The best way -- the only way -- to campaign against John Murtha is to attack him -- for his gratuitous comments about the Haditha Marines and the War generally, for his abject failure to "bring home the bacon" to his economically depressed congressional district, and for his total sell-out to lobbyists, most of them living the high life in the Washington Beltway. (More later today)http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/2006/people/pa/rep_pa12.htm
It's true that many people in the Johnstown area (Cambria County) look at John Murtha as "a decorated veteran of Viet Nam" and a man who has "brought home the bacon" to the 12th Congressional District. In fact, there are serious questions -- ones Murtha has never put to rest with medical records -- about his "wounds" (very minor one) in Viet Nam. Former Democratic congressman Don Bailey has said Murtha told him he basically fabricated his heroism in Viet Nam. (See: http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=%5CPolitics%5Carchive%5C200601%5CPOL20060113d.html
In fact, Viet Nam -- like ABSCAM, another less-than-stellar moment for Murtha -- was long ago. Voters in the 12th District, like many across the nation, tend to put a "statute of limitations" on past misdeeds. In 2006, Diana Irey focused her TV campaign mainly on ABSCAM, and it didn't seem to help her that much.
On the other hand, Murtha's exaggerated claims about producing some sort of economic rebirth in the 12th District are absurd. As I've pointed out in a previous column -- with statistics from the Almamac of American Politics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics -- very few people in the 12th have benefited from the huge amounts of federal dollars Murtha has brought in. The Median Household Income (MHI) in most of the 12th, especially Greene County, is below the MHIs in inner-city districts in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Murtha's failures to energize local economies should be a major issue, as should his self-serving -- and false -- accusations about the "Haditha Marines," one of whom (Justin Sharratt) is in Murtha's District. Did he know that Sharratt lived in Washington County? Frankly, such considerations don't seem to matter to Murtha.
He was running for Majority Leader and anti-military remarks helped him with far-Left Democrats like Obey and Waxman. No mater, I guess, that the remarks energized al Qaida in Iraq.
I've written before on John Murtha's shaky stance on issues related to the sanctity of life. Peg Luksik -- mentioned above -- differs with me on this issues. She believes Murtha has taken steps to advance the pro-life cause, and I disagree vigorously. Murtha has endorsed many extremist Democrats, most notably Nancy Pelosi, who favor partial birth abortion and other abominations. If Murtha opposed abortion as a matter of principle, he would not be head cheerleader for Democrats who want nothing done to reduce abortions.
Jack Murtha lives in a world that would be incomprehensible to most 12th District voters, including the Democrats. Here's how author John Brady describes the DC of the past (and present): "Washington was a men's club, basically, where the key to success was building relationships." (From Bad Boy: The Life and Politics of Lee Atwater)
Brady adds, "Washington was also about men making deals, using a smiling face . . . as a front for carrying on with some of the most ruthless behavior in the land." This is a world people like Peg Luksik, Diana Irey, and even William Russell only know from a distance. John Murtha? He's one of the one men who created that world.
Political guru Lee Atwater (who also knew the world of "ruthless behavior") was an expert on defeating Democrats in districts that were staunchly Democratic. (He was talking about the South in early 1970s, but his remarks apply to Murtha's district.)
Atwater said, "Republicans in the South [in 1970] could not win elections by talking about issues. You had to make the case that the other candidate was a bad guy."
Precisely. You can's defeat Murtha by saying that he's basically "a good guy who's somehow gone astray." Frankly, if he was a 'good guy," which he's not, he'd deserve to be re-elected until he was carried out feet-first from the House.
Murtha may be a good something, but he's NOT a good man. Granted, some people in the 12th enjoy living life in a veil of illusion. But many voters are aware that he's a self-aggrandizing bully, and they're the ones a candidate like Russell should be appealing to.
If you read the statistics (economic, voter registration, vote totals) about the 12th carefully, they tell the story of how Murtha can be defeated. You'll hear more about those statistics in the days ahead.
The critical moments for Lt. Col. William Russell will occur in the coming winter and spring. He will need to raise enough money to mobilize supporters and get his message across. If he does those things, he can win.
"With government coins, comes government control." (Me)
I met Peg in Johnstown at a William Russell function a month ago and found her to be a very impressive person. I believe I disagree with her somewhat about John Murtha's stance on the sanctity of life -- and also perhaps on the best way to campaign against him. At some point, I'd like to write more on Mrs. Luksik, with an emphasis on our different views about what's possible in American government and what's not. If you want to know more about her views while she ran for Governor (in 1998), go here.
The best way -- the only way -- to campaign against John Murtha is to attack him -- for his gratuitous comments about the Haditha Marines and the War generally, for his abject failure to "bring home the bacon" to his economically depressed congressional district, and for his total sell-out to lobbyists, most of them living the high life in the Washington Beltway. (More later today)http://nationaljournal.com/pubs/almanac/2006/people/pa/rep_pa12.htm
It's true that many people in the Johnstown area (Cambria County) look at John Murtha as "a decorated veteran of Viet Nam" and a man who has "brought home the bacon" to the 12th Congressional District. In fact, there are serious questions -- ones Murtha has never put to rest with medical records -- about his "wounds" (very minor one) in Viet Nam. Former Democratic congressman Don Bailey has said Murtha told him he basically fabricated his heroism in Viet Nam. (See: http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=%5CPolitics%5Carchive%5C200601%5CPOL20060113d.html
In fact, Viet Nam -- like ABSCAM, another less-than-stellar moment for Murtha -- was long ago. Voters in the 12th District, like many across the nation, tend to put a "statute of limitations" on past misdeeds. In 2006, Diana Irey focused her TV campaign mainly on ABSCAM, and it didn't seem to help her that much.
On the other hand, Murtha's exaggerated claims about producing some sort of economic rebirth in the 12th District are absurd. As I've pointed out in a previous column -- with statistics from the Almamac of American Politics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics -- very few people in the 12th have benefited from the huge amounts of federal dollars Murtha has brought in. The Median Household Income (MHI) in most of the 12th, especially Greene County, is below the MHIs in inner-city districts in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Murtha's failures to energize local economies should be a major issue, as should his self-serving -- and false -- accusations about the "Haditha Marines," one of whom (Justin Sharratt) is in Murtha's District. Did he know that Sharratt lived in Washington County? Frankly, such considerations don't seem to matter to Murtha.
He was running for Majority Leader and anti-military remarks helped him with far-Left Democrats like Obey and Waxman. No mater, I guess, that the remarks energized al Qaida in Iraq.
I've written before on John Murtha's shaky stance on issues related to the sanctity of life. Peg Luksik -- mentioned above -- differs with me on this issues. She believes Murtha has taken steps to advance the pro-life cause, and I disagree vigorously. Murtha has endorsed many extremist Democrats, most notably Nancy Pelosi, who favor partial birth abortion and other abominations. If Murtha opposed abortion as a matter of principle, he would not be head cheerleader for Democrats who want nothing done to reduce abortions.
Jack Murtha lives in a world that would be incomprehensible to most 12th District voters, including the Democrats. Here's how author John Brady describes the DC of the past (and present): "Washington was a men's club, basically, where the key to success was building relationships." (From Bad Boy: The Life and Politics of Lee Atwater)
Brady adds, "Washington was also about men making deals, using a smiling face . . . as a front for carrying on with some of the most ruthless behavior in the land." This is a world people like Peg Luksik, Diana Irey, and even William Russell only know from a distance. John Murtha? He's one of the one men who created that world.
Political guru Lee Atwater (who also knew the world of "ruthless behavior") was an expert on defeating Democrats in districts that were staunchly Democratic. (He was talking about the South in early 1970s, but his remarks apply to Murtha's district.)
Atwater said, "Republicans in the South [in 1970] could not win elections by talking about issues. You had to make the case that the other candidate was a bad guy."
Precisely. You can's defeat Murtha by saying that he's basically "a good guy who's somehow gone astray." Frankly, if he was a 'good guy," which he's not, he'd deserve to be re-elected until he was carried out feet-first from the House.
Murtha may be a good something, but he's NOT a good man. Granted, some people in the 12th enjoy living life in a veil of illusion. But many voters are aware that he's a self-aggrandizing bully, and they're the ones a candidate like Russell should be appealing to.
If you read the statistics (economic, voter registration, vote totals) about the 12th carefully, they tell the story of how Murtha can be defeated. You'll hear more about those statistics in the days ahead.
The critical moments for Lt. Col. William Russell will occur in the coming winter and spring. He will need to raise enough money to mobilize supporters and get his message across. If he does those things, he can win.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Marines, Families For WILLIAM RUSSELL
Called "the most famous photograph in history -- by Joe Rosenthal, AP
WHY ARE WE IN IRAQ? I BELIEVE WE'RE THERE FOR HER . . . (From Michael Yon)Column dedicated to Peter Domiano (USMC), Thomas Cartwright (USMC), Henry Ledford (USMC), Sandy Petromalo (USA, 101st), "Beaver" Becker (USA, 101st), Adam Giran (USMC), Matt Franchik (USMC), (USMC), J. J. Rodriguez (USMC) and Larry Stiles (USMC). The ones in boldface gave "the last full measure of devotion" to their country.
For All Who Love the Military
Many Marines and their Marine families will be visiting here in the next several days. I'm asking them to sign up for Bloggers 4 Russell (either leave a comment here with your blog name or e-mail me at TalkTop65@aol.com. Larry Stiles (listed above) is a Viet Nam era Marine who's managing the campaign of Lt. Col. William Russell against John Murtha. With your contributions and support, William can win this race against a very corrupt and well-financed opponent. What you need to do right now is to go the Russell site by clicking on: http://williamrussellforcongress.com/. Then, come back here and glance through the many columns I've written on the Russell-Murtha race. Military men and women from every service are a critical constituency in this race. In the columns below, you will find an emphasis on exactly why and how Russell will prevail. Please give whatever assistance you can. And be sure to sign up as a Blogger 4 Russell! We now have more than 40 such bloggers, and we're aiming for 500. God bless you all.
(Note: Bev Paulson and her wonderful TheBandofMothers.com is offering great support from Russell. If you're a Blue-Star or Gold-Star mother, please look into her splendid organization.)
On my other blog site: http://camp2008victorya.blogspot.com, you'll find listed many Bloggers 4 Lt. Col. William T. Russell. Soon, the links will be transferred to this site and "blog-regated" in a way that you'll be able to have your own blogroll of Russell Supporters. My goal is to have 100 such Bloggers by January 1 -- and 500 by next autumn. The more Russell's name and ability get out there, the more likely people will be to visit his web site and offer support. With all of us working together, we will ensure victory.
If you'd like to use any of my columns (below) about Murtha, be my guest. There's always a lot of good material on William's web site. If you're able to make a small contribution, it will be very helpful in the "foundational" stage of what will be one "whale-uva" effort.
Steve Maloney (An independent force of nature backing the Russell Campaign).
(Note: Bev Paulson and her wonderful TheBandofMothers.com is offering great support from Russell. If you're a Blue-Star or Gold-Star mother, please look into her splendid organization.)
On my other blog site: http://camp2008victorya.blogspot.com, you'll find listed many Bloggers 4 Lt. Col. William T. Russell. Soon, the links will be transferred to this site and "blog-regated" in a way that you'll be able to have your own blogroll of Russell Supporters. My goal is to have 100 such Bloggers by January 1 -- and 500 by next autumn. The more Russell's name and ability get out there, the more likely people will be to visit his web site and offer support. With all of us working together, we will ensure victory.
If you'd like to use any of my columns (below) about Murtha, be my guest. There's always a lot of good material on William's web site. If you're able to make a small contribution, it will be very helpful in the "foundational" stage of what will be one "whale-uva" effort.
Steve Maloney (An independent force of nature backing the Russell Campaign).
Concentric Circles: An Army of Bloggers
Afterthoughts: On the need to get 500 Bloggers for Russell (and knowing, I'd secretly like 1,000-plus: I believe in the theory that former presidential candidate Gary Hart called "concentric" circles. It means that you don't win big races -- like Russell vs. Murtha -- by drawing large crowds of anonymous people. Instead, you find a lot of individuals -- bloggers and other activists -- who drop a pebble in the pool. Then, it goes in concentric circles including other people in the campaign. Then, those "others" drop their own pebbles. I know the Blog World, and those in it are great at dropping pebbles. I found another one of these "connectors" today: Samantha. The Russell Campaign will find many more.
In a political context, Connectors are people who reach out to others and discuss issues with them. Of great importance Connectors know -- and connect with -- men and women like them. So, when I met Samantha online, I knew I'd found someone who can play a significant role in the Russell Campaign.
I urge you to visit Samantha at: http://honeyandlace.blogspot.com/.
If you get enough of the connectors, the waves of support beging washing into Pennsylvania -- and the 12th congressional district. If William Russell's campaign becomes a matter of national importance -- as it is already starting to be -- the news won't be lost on Johnstown, Uniontown, Waynesburg, Monogahela, and Washington.
It starts with concentric circles, but eventually it will turn into a tidal wave of support in and around the 12th District. The 12th District is not the "Johnstown Congress." It's a part of the United States Congress. And its' the entire USA that's going to prevail in this race that is looking more and more like it just might be winnable.
So, keep tossing your pebbles into the Blogosphere!
I hope everybody will read Samantha's comment and my reply in the column underneath this one. She strikes the right nail!
RUSSELL ON BLOG RADIO MONDAY AT 8 P.M. (EASTERN)
Jenn of the Jungle, a BlogTalkRadio powerhouse, will have Lt. Col. William Russell, who's running hard and well against John Murtha, on her radio show at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10. Jenn announces her show will be "Skewering Leftards like shrimp on a barbi . . . Jenn's Jungle Radio supports our troops and their mission. Bring it Moonbats." She's good. She's funny. And she just may be the girl your mother warned you about!
Find Jenn at http://blogtalkradio.com/screwliberals. The call-in number for her show, and I hope you will do so, is: (646) 478-5334. She's a strong and effective supporter of our troops.
If you're impressed by William Russell -- and yes, you will be -- go to his web site and make at least a small contribution for this good man: http://williamrussellforcongress.com/. I did!
If you get enough of the connectors, the waves of support beging washing into Pennsylvania -- and the 12th congressional district. If William Russell's campaign becomes a matter of national importance -- as it is already starting to be -- the news won't be lost on Johnstown, Uniontown, Waynesburg, Monogahela, and Washington.
It starts with concentric circles, but eventually it will turn into a tidal wave of support in and around the 12th District. The 12th District is not the "Johnstown Congress." It's a part of the United States Congress. And its' the entire USA that's going to prevail in this race that is looking more and more like it just might be winnable.
So, keep tossing your pebbles into the Blogosphere!
I hope everybody will read Samantha's comment and my reply in the column underneath this one. She strikes the right nail!
RUSSELL ON BLOG RADIO MONDAY AT 8 P.M. (EASTERN)
Jenn of the Jungle, a BlogTalkRadio powerhouse, will have Lt. Col. William Russell, who's running hard and well against John Murtha, on her radio show at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10. Jenn announces her show will be "Skewering Leftards like shrimp on a barbi . . . Jenn's Jungle Radio supports our troops and their mission. Bring it Moonbats." She's good. She's funny. And she just may be the girl your mother warned you about!
Find Jenn at http://blogtalkradio.com/screwliberals. The call-in number for her show, and I hope you will do so, is: (646) 478-5334. She's a strong and effective supporter of our troops.
If you're impressed by William Russell -- and yes, you will be -- go to his web site and make at least a small contribution for this good man: http://williamrussellforcongress.com/. I did!
"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.)
Thursday, December 6, 2007
PA's Odd Couple: Murtha, Altmire
"What country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time that this people [Americans] preserve the spirit of resistance?” (Thomas Jefferson)
It’s time for a political revolution in the districts, the 4th and 12th, of Democratic congressmen Jason Altmire and John Murtha. It will be a peaceful revolution that culminates in many voting booths next November. It will be a revolution against two Democratic politicians who treat their constituents like a huge crowd of dunces.
If you’re a Democratic candidate statewide or in a congressional district outside Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, how do you get elected? You run on the proposition that you’re a “conservative Democrat.” You’ll announce that you’re favor of the rights of the unborn and gun owners.
You’ll also say regularly that you “support the troops,” although you’ll be very vague about how you can do so without supporting their mission. You’ll talk about the need for fiscal restraint, but that won’t apply to Bridge-to-Nowhere-type projects supposedly benefiting either your district or a political ally’s.
In most cases, you’ll proudly note that you’re a Roman Catholic (like Congressmen John Murtha and Jason Altmire, as well as yours truly). However, you will under no circumstances talk about how your religious faith has affected your personal or political life. (I will, but they won't.)
When you cast a vote in Congress that your constituents might not like, you’ll remain silent about your reasoning on the subject. You’ll maintain extremely close relations with Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the Party’s far-left leadership, and you’ll vote with them on critical issues. The exception occurs in cases where your vote isn’t needed, when they’ll let you cast a vote that appears to be “conservative.”
You’ll look at your elected office as a lifetime position, and you’ll do everything necessary to retain it. If you’re in Congress, you will never, ever do anything to offend John Murtha, who has a long memory and likes to exact revenge.
If you’re very old, you’ll take younger Democrats under your wing. In fact, during his race against Melissa Hart, Jason Altmire declared that Murtha was his “campaign manager.” Murtha’s Political Action Committee funded a good chunk of money to Altmire, which helped to ensure his vote for Murtha as Democratic Majority Leader.
On an important issue in Pennsylvania – the sanctity of life – Murtha and Altmire must assume their constituents don’t pay much attention. They are both “pro-life,” mainly in the sense that they talk a lot about being . . . pro-life. I call such people "Pro-Life, Inc."
It’s true that Murtha voted against the hideous process known as “partial-birth abortion.” If Altmire had been in Congress, he probably would have done the same.
However, when Congress considered a bill providing for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, pro-life Jack Murtha voted for it. So did “pro-life” Jason Altmire. The destruction of viable embryos was okay, as long it didn't come under the heading of "abortion."
In the 1990s, Bill Clinton called up John Murtha and asked him to vote for full funding of “family-planning” overseas. Murtha did so. In Congress, “family planning” is a euphemism for abortion.
It bothers me greatly that the 30 or so Democrat congressional representatives who claim to be pro-life seem to have absolutely no influence on the vast majority of Democrats in their Party. Frankly, it also bothers me that other Democrats, like Nancy Pelosi and Ted Kennedy, who list their religion as Roman Catholic can't even bring themselves to vote against something as objectionable as partial-birth abortion. To many Democrats, being "Catholic" is about equivalent to being in the Rotary Club.
On military matters: In his campaign against hawkish Rep. Melissa Hart, Altmire was a hawk. He proclaimed he was against a “timetable” Iraq. He said he would rely on “our commanders on the ground.”
When he got to Congress as a Democrat, Altmire found hawkishness was not exactly in vogue. Murtha voted for an Iraq War timetable, and so did Altmire.
In Franklin D Roosevelt’s era, there was an a humorous political saying: “As Maine goes, so goes Vermont.” In Congress, "as Murtha goes, so goes Altmire."
The porcine Mr. Murtha and his increasingly rotund younger colleague deserve not offices in Congress, but rather places at the buffet table.
Isn’t it time send Melissa Hart, a superb human being, back to Congress in the 4th Congressional District? And isn’t it time to elect Lt. Col. William Russell to Congress in the 12th District. They both need your help.
Stephen R. Maloney
Ambridge, PA
4th Congressional District
("For Murtha and Altmire, no more 'Mr. Nice Steve'")
Note: Tomorrow (Saturday's column) will be: "Murtha, Altmire: Nancy's Boys"
It’s time for a political revolution in the districts, the 4th and 12th, of Democratic congressmen Jason Altmire and John Murtha. It will be a peaceful revolution that culminates in many voting booths next November. It will be a revolution against two Democratic politicians who treat their constituents like a huge crowd of dunces.
If you’re a Democratic candidate statewide or in a congressional district outside Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, how do you get elected? You run on the proposition that you’re a “conservative Democrat.” You’ll announce that you’re favor of the rights of the unborn and gun owners.
You’ll also say regularly that you “support the troops,” although you’ll be very vague about how you can do so without supporting their mission. You’ll talk about the need for fiscal restraint, but that won’t apply to Bridge-to-Nowhere-type projects supposedly benefiting either your district or a political ally’s.
In most cases, you’ll proudly note that you’re a Roman Catholic (like Congressmen John Murtha and Jason Altmire, as well as yours truly). However, you will under no circumstances talk about how your religious faith has affected your personal or political life. (I will, but they won't.)
When you cast a vote in Congress that your constituents might not like, you’ll remain silent about your reasoning on the subject. You’ll maintain extremely close relations with Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the Party’s far-left leadership, and you’ll vote with them on critical issues. The exception occurs in cases where your vote isn’t needed, when they’ll let you cast a vote that appears to be “conservative.”
You’ll look at your elected office as a lifetime position, and you’ll do everything necessary to retain it. If you’re in Congress, you will never, ever do anything to offend John Murtha, who has a long memory and likes to exact revenge.
If you’re very old, you’ll take younger Democrats under your wing. In fact, during his race against Melissa Hart, Jason Altmire declared that Murtha was his “campaign manager.” Murtha’s Political Action Committee funded a good chunk of money to Altmire, which helped to ensure his vote for Murtha as Democratic Majority Leader.
On an important issue in Pennsylvania – the sanctity of life – Murtha and Altmire must assume their constituents don’t pay much attention. They are both “pro-life,” mainly in the sense that they talk a lot about being . . . pro-life. I call such people "Pro-Life, Inc."
It’s true that Murtha voted against the hideous process known as “partial-birth abortion.” If Altmire had been in Congress, he probably would have done the same.
However, when Congress considered a bill providing for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, pro-life Jack Murtha voted for it. So did “pro-life” Jason Altmire. The destruction of viable embryos was okay, as long it didn't come under the heading of "abortion."
In the 1990s, Bill Clinton called up John Murtha and asked him to vote for full funding of “family-planning” overseas. Murtha did so. In Congress, “family planning” is a euphemism for abortion.
It bothers me greatly that the 30 or so Democrat congressional representatives who claim to be pro-life seem to have absolutely no influence on the vast majority of Democrats in their Party. Frankly, it also bothers me that other Democrats, like Nancy Pelosi and Ted Kennedy, who list their religion as Roman Catholic can't even bring themselves to vote against something as objectionable as partial-birth abortion. To many Democrats, being "Catholic" is about equivalent to being in the Rotary Club.
On military matters: In his campaign against hawkish Rep. Melissa Hart, Altmire was a hawk. He proclaimed he was against a “timetable” Iraq. He said he would rely on “our commanders on the ground.”
When he got to Congress as a Democrat, Altmire found hawkishness was not exactly in vogue. Murtha voted for an Iraq War timetable, and so did Altmire.
In Franklin D Roosevelt’s era, there was an a humorous political saying: “As Maine goes, so goes Vermont.” In Congress, "as Murtha goes, so goes Altmire."
The porcine Mr. Murtha and his increasingly rotund younger colleague deserve not offices in Congress, but rather places at the buffet table.
Isn’t it time send Melissa Hart, a superb human being, back to Congress in the 4th Congressional District? And isn’t it time to elect Lt. Col. William Russell to Congress in the 12th District. They both need your help.
Stephen R. Maloney
Ambridge, PA
4th Congressional District
("For Murtha and Altmire, no more 'Mr. Nice Steve'")
Note: Tomorrow (Saturday's column) will be: "Murtha, Altmire: Nancy's Boys"
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Murtha, Ugh! Heather Wilson, Wow!
Tonight by midnight -- and just about every night thereafter at the same time -- I'll have a new post. It's title will be: Johnstown, PA: Murtha's Rancid Bacon." Don't miss it.
If you haven't done so, please take a look at the column below: "Murtha: The Most-Hated Congressman." For a congressman to earn real hatred is, I guess, a significant achievement.
All columns on this new blog will be up by midnight and will be available at the same hour seven days a week. If you like to read at 8 a.m. (or later in the day), you'll see a new column each day -- every day.
The next column (up about midnight on Dec. 5) will be on the dismal economics of the 12th district, with emphasis on how Murtha's "bringing home the bacon" is an illusion. The next column will emphasize how taking off the gloves is critical in defeating Murtha. The concepts discussed will be relevant to many other campaigns in the nation.
A column later this week will discuss Sun-Tzu's "Art of War" and how it's applicable to tough campaigns like the one William T. Russell is waging against Murtha. I'm very interested in your comments on what I say.
Let me be immodest for a moment: I am an expert on campaigning against John Murtha. I know how to do it, and I'm looking forward to sharing my experience and insights about how to overcome this cynical bully.
______________________________
Today, I got a call from "Ann" in Congresswoman Heather's Wilson Albuquerque, NM, campaign office. Heather Wilson is running for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by long-term Senator Pete Domenici. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, she's the only female veteran ever elected to Congress.
If you're thinking of running to the Wikipedia article for information on Heather Wilson, don't. It's a hatchet job apparently written by Moveon.Org hate-mongers. (If you do read the "Wik" article, also read the footnotes, whcih establish that the article is baloney.)
Heather Wilson, an "Anglo," represents a district that's 43% Hispanic. Her last two campaigns were against strong Hispanic candidates, but after being written in both races, she won each time. She is a ferocious campaigner and a great fund-raiser.
The call I received today from Wilson headquarters was a pleasant thank-you for my modest contribution to the campaign. Apparently, they call everyone who contributes, and that's an idea other candidate such emulate. My guess is that Heather will get 10,000-plus individual contributions before the primary, and her staff will call everyone who donates. They obviously understand that a donation of, say, $20 is a sacrifice for many people.
For every Republican -- moderate or conservative -- it's absolutely essential that Heather get elected to the Senate. She's exactly the kind of person of extraordinary character and intelligence that we need in congress. She's an expert on foreign policy, especially as it relates to the Middle East. Oh, and by the way, she was a Rhodes Scholar.
The Democrats despise Heather. They dislike her because she's such an exceptional person, especially compared to their own limp candidates who pander to every interest group imaginable.
I told Heather's representative, also named "Heather" (Wade) that I wanted to do my own style of Internet politics for Congresswoman Wilson, Particularly, I want the same veterans groups now massing behind the candidacy of Lt. Col. William Russell (against Murtha) to support Congresswoman Wilson. I'm asking Bev Perlson, founder of TheBandof Mothers, to get her group behind Wilson.
After Wilson wins the primary -- which she will, even though she's facing a strong Republican opponent (Steve Pearce) -- her competition for the Senate seat probably will be Gov. Bill Richardson. To win, Wilson needs to "nationalize" her campaign, that is, make it a national crusade. I can help her on that, and so can you.
If she can get, say, 500-600 serious bloggers supporting her effort, that could mean many thousands of votes going her way. It would also ensure that she gets a lot of contributors from around the country. (Check out Mike Huckabee's list of bloggers, which is now up to about 400. They're a major reason why he's now leading in Iowa).
I'm proud to support Heather Wilson. You'll hear a lot more about her on this site.
(Note: Please read the piece below about "Mr. Bullying and Blustering," Jack Murtha. I assure you, he's no "Heather Wilson.")
If you haven't done so, please take a look at the column below: "Murtha: The Most-Hated Congressman." For a congressman to earn real hatred is, I guess, a significant achievement.
All columns on this new blog will be up by midnight and will be available at the same hour seven days a week. If you like to read at 8 a.m. (or later in the day), you'll see a new column each day -- every day.
The next column (up about midnight on Dec. 5) will be on the dismal economics of the 12th district, with emphasis on how Murtha's "bringing home the bacon" is an illusion. The next column will emphasize how taking off the gloves is critical in defeating Murtha. The concepts discussed will be relevant to many other campaigns in the nation.
A column later this week will discuss Sun-Tzu's "Art of War" and how it's applicable to tough campaigns like the one William T. Russell is waging against Murtha. I'm very interested in your comments on what I say.
Let me be immodest for a moment: I am an expert on campaigning against John Murtha. I know how to do it, and I'm looking forward to sharing my experience and insights about how to overcome this cynical bully.
______________________________
Today, I got a call from "Ann" in Congresswoman Heather's Wilson Albuquerque, NM, campaign office. Heather Wilson is running for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by long-term Senator Pete Domenici. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, she's the only female veteran ever elected to Congress.
If you're thinking of running to the Wikipedia article for information on Heather Wilson, don't. It's a hatchet job apparently written by Moveon.Org hate-mongers. (If you do read the "Wik" article, also read the footnotes, whcih establish that the article is baloney.)
Heather Wilson, an "Anglo," represents a district that's 43% Hispanic. Her last two campaigns were against strong Hispanic candidates, but after being written in both races, she won each time. She is a ferocious campaigner and a great fund-raiser.
The call I received today from Wilson headquarters was a pleasant thank-you for my modest contribution to the campaign. Apparently, they call everyone who contributes, and that's an idea other candidate such emulate. My guess is that Heather will get 10,000-plus individual contributions before the primary, and her staff will call everyone who donates. They obviously understand that a donation of, say, $20 is a sacrifice for many people.
For every Republican -- moderate or conservative -- it's absolutely essential that Heather get elected to the Senate. She's exactly the kind of person of extraordinary character and intelligence that we need in congress. She's an expert on foreign policy, especially as it relates to the Middle East. Oh, and by the way, she was a Rhodes Scholar.
The Democrats despise Heather. They dislike her because she's such an exceptional person, especially compared to their own limp candidates who pander to every interest group imaginable.
I told Heather's representative, also named "Heather" (Wade) that I wanted to do my own style of Internet politics for Congresswoman Wilson, Particularly, I want the same veterans groups now massing behind the candidacy of Lt. Col. William Russell (against Murtha) to support Congresswoman Wilson. I'm asking Bev Perlson, founder of TheBandof Mothers, to get her group behind Wilson.
After Wilson wins the primary -- which she will, even though she's facing a strong Republican opponent (Steve Pearce) -- her competition for the Senate seat probably will be Gov. Bill Richardson. To win, Wilson needs to "nationalize" her campaign, that is, make it a national crusade. I can help her on that, and so can you.
If she can get, say, 500-600 serious bloggers supporting her effort, that could mean many thousands of votes going her way. It would also ensure that she gets a lot of contributors from around the country. (Check out Mike Huckabee's list of bloggers, which is now up to about 400. They're a major reason why he's now leading in Iowa).
I'm proud to support Heather Wilson. You'll hear a lot more about her on this site.
(Note: Please read the piece below about "Mr. Bullying and Blustering," Jack Murtha. I assure you, he's no "Heather Wilson.")
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