Senator John Murtha May Be Nervous Awaiting Election Results

Senator John Murtha is probably not as sure of the outcome, as he has been in past elections. After making some offensive remarks about his constituency last month, calling them "racists" and then trying to make up for it by calling his constituency "rednecks," instead. One wonders if Murtha really believes that the voters will continue to elect him, despite the name calling and the allegations Murtha made about the Guantanamo Bay Marines. Murtha never apologized for those accusations, even though all of those Marines were cleared of all alledged charges, except one of the Marines accused, and never apologized for the names he called his constituency, and then called them another name. Was Murtha thinking more name calling would make it better?

If a person were to take Former President Clinton's advice, from his speach at the University of Pennsylvania-Johnstown, on Monday, to a packed crowd in the University gymnasium, one "should not vote based on resentments." According to Clinton, those same constituents should continue to vote for Murtha, and ignore or forgive his audacious remarks. On Monday, Clinton warned those same constituents to vote for and elect Senator Murtha for another four years. Clinton asked the voters to elect Murtha and not be, resentful of those comments. Murtha has been elected Senator for Pennsylvania for a total of 17 terms. Clinton spoke to the group of college students and veterans when he was speaking of Murtha's recent comments of Western Pennsylvanian residents and voters. "Bringing jobs and money" to the area and "Murtha's effectiveness "in doing this was more important than Murtha's offensive name calling and accusations.

Murtha admitted he was surprised that his Opponent's campaign has had the" momentum" it has. Murtha's opponent is Bill Russell, a Republican and veteran, who has chosen to jump on Murtha's comments and brought them to the voters' attention. Russell is more than just the 'sacrificial lamb' that Murtha seemed to be expecting to run against in this election. "Russell moved to the Pennsylvania district," specifically to run against Murtha. Russell does own a home in the Pennsylvania district he is challenging Murtha in, and intends to stay. Russell "moved from the Washington DC area."

The Pennsylvania "district is mostly democratic." Historically, the district is supportive to veterans, and to the military in general. In past elections, Murtha has won election to the Senate by huge double digit numbers over his opponents. Murtha admitted he was surprised and was unaware that the voters would "vote for an opponent who was not from the area. " Murtha has tooted his own horn about "earmarks" for the area, and Russell has disputed this, stating that makes the district and the state " too dependent on Federal Monies." Russell stated that he did not believe that Former President Clinton's visit to the area would change who the voters will cast their ballots for because the constituents are" upset with Murtha's" comments and accusations. Russell also stated that he thought that many of those present were not there for support of Murtha, but "to see Former President Clinton," and will probably not sway the decisions of who the voters will elect.

Russell would hold a news conference at his headquarters in Johnstown, to speak with reporters this afternoon. Russell stated at a rally on Sunday in New Stanton, that he is "that villain that John Murtha is hysterical about." Russell also stated that Murtha has been making negative attacks, instead of sticking to the issues. Russell seems to have a real chance because of Murtha's recent comments about the voters in his district and earlier accusations about the Marines at Guantanamo Bay. The voters in that district support veterans, and since Russell is a veteran as well, this may just give his campaign the momentum it needs to elect Russell to the Senate.

Jennifer C.Yates, "Former President Stumps for Embattled Rep Murtha," The Morning Call .com, http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/state/all-a11_murtha.6657310nov04,0,580749.story?track=rss