Given the critical role he has long played in promoting Democratic values and defending American freedom, Pennsylvania Rep. Jack Murtha is the clear choice for House Majority Leader in the 110th Congress.
It is no exaggeration to state that the Democratic Party, and indeed the nation, owe Jack a debt of gratitude for the new, refreshing political winds that began blowing over the Potomac this past election day.
Last week's resounding Democratic electoral victories were, first and foremost, a referendum on the war in Iraq, and a rejection of the Republican White House and Congress' categorical military and foreign policy failures. No public official has more powerfully and courageously spoken out about these failures -- and what must be done to remedy them -- than Jack.
Last year, faced with a phalanx of Republicans attacking his Iraq war resolution, Jack insisted on standing alone, hour after hour, eloquently speaking truth to power on the House floor. Murtha received two Purple Hearts for wounds received in Vietnam, so the slings and arrows aimed at him that day, and ever since, over his opposition to the American Iraq policy were no match for this veteran.
Jack's principled and withering critique of America's role in Iraq must be largely credited for exposing the Administration's lies and fatal mistakes, and for moving public opinion in the direction of sanity.
Courage, principle, love of country: these are the values that drive and define Jack Murtha. These are the values of our next U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader.
-- Rep. Mike Honda (D- CA)