John Murtha Showed Us How to Be Strong

I hope that we will remember John Murtha for his strengths. It is a good way to encourage others in Congress to show strength. Murtha did something very important on Iraq -- he showed leadership when there was a lack of it. He took a risk when others were hiding. And he admitted a mistake (his vote for the Iraq war) but then more importantly he worked to try to figure out how to correct for it rather than fade into the background after a soundbite.

I got to know Congressman Murtha briefly back when he spoke out on the war in November of 2005. At the time I was leading MoveOn.org's campaign to end the war in Iraq. What struck me the most about John Murtha was that he really knew how to throw a punch and fight for what he cared about. He would give speeches, travel, go on TV, record videos and sign his name to anything important that advanced his cause. He was tireless.

Even though he wasn't from the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, Murtha had no fear of working with progressives on the Left -- he enjoyed it. He called me once and said, "Tommy, they're saying I shouldn't work with you anti-war folks. Too Left. But I just told them, I like these guys and look what working with pro-war Republicans got us into." He later would talk about how his position wasn't liberal or conservative -- it was just the right thing to do.

Despite John Murtha's actually bipartisan nature, Republicans in Congress and around the country were mean and vicious to him. They would cut into him and he would just roar back at them in a way that showed people he wasn't afraid -- it often humbled critics (see video below). What he showed us all is the importance and power of strength and outrage in our political system -- not in a personal or vitriolic way, but when fact-based.

Most important John Murtha showed Democrats in Congress how to be strong. We need more Murthas on other issues like health care, the economy and climate change. Democrats need to be a party that projects strength not through the belligerence of our policies but through the strength of our advocacy.

Murtha was flawed like all of us and he was surely a conservative Democrat (somebody once jokingly reminded me that Murtha probably would've kept us in Vietnam). But I think progressives could learn a lot from John Murtha... if only how to fight for what we care about. I will miss him.

VIDEO: Sample of Republican attacks on John Murtha and how he responded.

VIDEO: John Murtha on joking about Iraq.

 

Follow Tom Matzzie on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tommatzzie

Comments

[younowme]

Tom: I still can not believe of the contempt against John Murtha that the
waPost (reporter?) Carol Leonning stirred up with her unethical reporting of alleged wrong-doings by Murtha. Many of us recognize his service to our country but to read her unfounded allegations, one would be convinced we were without a doubt, living with a criminal among us.

[mamsandwich]

Thank you for your service to the American people. You made a positive difference not just lip service. RIP

[Wordsmith]

He showed us how to be strong? He was listed year after year as one of the most, if not the most corrupt politician in Congress. I guess it takes some strength to hold up a reputation like that......

[BCALM]

wonder how much strength it would have taken to apologize to the acquitted marines he called murderers

[sposton]

There are worse congressmen than Murtha was. I think he genuinely cared about our people in our military. He was also just another member of the military-industrial-congressional complex, which is at the very root of what is wrong with this country.

[oldgeek1]

Jack Murtha played by his own rules and was a Democrat in the same mold as LBJ. He used his sincere strong feelings for the Military to further his agenda that included contracts to his friends and benefits for the troops, everything has a price.

If making money off the Military or from contractors was a crime the "entire Congress" would be inmates.

Murtha stood up for what he believed and was a thorn in the side of those who blindly support the Military , since he actually served and retired as Col in the Marines. I had more respect for Murtha than that arrogant SOB Ollie North who actually did commit a real crime and got caught at it.

[iReason]

"John Murtha showed Democrats in Congress how to be strong" and how to use his influence for pork barrel projects like the John Murtha airport. $800 million in stimulus funds for an airport that has less than a dozen flights a day. Yes Democrats need to follow his example if they want to bankrupt this country.

[leithflood]

On Murtha. He was in office way to long. Murtha is a good example of why we need term limits. I'm a veteran and I thought he left a lot to be desired. He forgot his Marine oath. Once a Marine, always a Marine. RIP

[NonPartisanUSA]

RIP.

Too bad many from both parties are neo cons.

[Raphi]

There are people for whom a sense of honor, defending the Constitution, and service to country are not just words. Like Congressman Murtha. Sure, he'd never have passed a progressive litmus test...not with that acid tongue.
But he's proof why the Democratic party should have room for traditionalists like career military and people of faith. Stark contrast to the Republican neocons, whose power machinations stoop to fear-mongering: race-baiting, gay-bashing, and defining patriotism as an unquestioning acceptance of empire. None of which helps improve the lives of working Americans.
Murtha understood first-hand the cost of military action. Paid for by the lives of the conscripts of the economic draft. And by the taxes of those too unimportant to dodge paying. And his voice of experience demolished the chicken hawks, those who defend military intervention in every way except to actually serve.

[gabemill]

Beauty, Raphi....co-sign
Fanned!

Nam Vet

[Dianekkdi]

Well said. Thanks Raphi. I am so very sad tonight. He is a great loss. His voice is a great loss. May he rest in peace. May he be honored by those left behind by the picking up of his gauntlet and the continuation of the good fight.

I too am a Vet.

[davidly]

How was his support for Reagan/Bush Central American slaughter service to our country of constitution?

[disgruntledprogressives]

Obviously it surely didn't stick considering Obama and the Democrats we have have now as opposed to 2006. It's easy when you're not in power.

[Skygazer]

I don't agree. If you think Obama (or Biden for that matter), won't call the GOP out on their BS and trounce them with facts, intelligence and strength, I would direct you to the video of Obama meeting with Republican House members recently.

[Hal Donahue]

Tom, very well done. I never thought I would be a Jack Murtha supporter either but I was and I am. He served the nation well and never forgot the military and the troops. We need more men and women with his honor and intelligence. Our conservative "friends" claim to adore the Constitution. Congressman Murtha protected, fought for and used the Constitution. Our founders would be proud, very proud

[The Albany Kid]

Let's hope that the DNC and other Lefty entities are grooming young Jack Murtha's (and "Jane" Murtha's) for the future. We could use more like him.

R.I.P.

[tubette]

Maybe Al Franken will step to the plate.... R.I.P. John Murtha.

[Emlyn]

He was a good man. He will be missed.

[knightoftheroundtable]

The good dems are dying and the bad republicans are in control.

[Chitown95]

Excellent story on the late Congressman John Murtha. He was a great Congressman and more
Importantly he cared deeply about the men and women in our armed services. Jack we are going to miss you. May you rest in peace my friend.