Murtha’s support down to 50 percent?
posted at 12:55 pm on October 22, 2008 by Allahpundit
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So claims the Russell brigade, per an internal poll conducted before Redneckgate.
“The Democrats did not poll the race because they thought it was a non-issue, and the Republicans for the same reason. So we’ve done some internal polling,” Russell’s campaign manager, Peg Luksik, told National Review Online. “What we’re finding is that even three weeks ago Mr. Murtha’s support was hovering right around 50 percent, which for a gentleman who has a 63 percent voter-registration edge, that’s a significant softening of the support that he has typically enjoyed.”
And the internal poll Luksik is citing was taken three weeks ago, before Murtha’s insulting comments. According to Luksik, the response to their campaign since then has been overwhelming. “At this point the biggest problem we’re having is keeping up with the demand for everything we can possibly give folks,” she said. “People are now saying ‘who is this Mr. Russell?’ We’re now hearing from Democratic committee people, and folks are saying to us, ‘I have voted for Mr. Murtha my whole life and I’m not voting for him this year.’”
That same poll (again, before the racist/redneck stuff) showed Murtha up 14, thanks partly to most district voters not knowing who Russell is. Here’s his donation page; whether it’s worth contributing to a guy down double digits instead of to, say, Chris Shays, I leave to your judgment. Exit question: Anyone else finding themselves more and more convinced of the wisdom of term limits?
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Exit question: Anyone else finding themselves more and more convinced of the wisdom of
term limitstruthful media?Mcguyver on October 22, 2008 at 12:59 PM
As much as the presidential ticket is foremost on my mind, sending Murtha to the home for the elderly w/b the next sweetest thing.
Entelechy on October 22, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Can we say 3 time term limit? I am ok with 3 times. Anymore… and they can go AWAY!
Now, only reason I say 3 is if they are a good Congressperson/Senator… why try to get rid of them.
upinak on October 22, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Okay, call me out of the loop and too lazy to Google about it…he is up for re-election this time?
Wow, he is either the dumbest Democrat around (and that would be quite a competition) or the most arrogant (and that too would be quite a competition.)
Calling your constituents racists crackers during an election year – uhm…that should be rewarded Keystoners.
Reward him by voting his moronic, pin-headed self out of office.
kybowexar on October 22, 2008 at 1:00 PM
EXIT QUESTION ANSWER: Term limits are the only hope of breaking the cycle of cronyism and the embedded financial crap. We didn’t need term limits when this country was founded, as folks would serve and then go back to their life. Now it IS their life. The problem is getting anyone with stones enough currently in office (or with a chance of getting there) to introduce legislation for limits. Who ever get’s it introduced and passed would be a folk hero forever.
Tim Zank on October 22, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Michelle Bachman went back on MSNBC to apologize for something she shouldn’t apologize for. Murtha’s apology was to switch his terminology, but keep his stupid point.
If Bachman loses her seat, Murtha damn well better!
Grafted on October 22, 2008 at 1:02 PM
murtha,fraken and biden who is next. if what murtha says is wrong how is it that the obama can say almost the same thing and not be called out
TomLawler on October 22, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Down 50%!
Let me guess,they polled Liberal Unicorns*!
(canopfor regrets any besmirchment of Unicorn
Jones that inhabits Red Eye!) haha.
canopfor on October 22, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Here’s to hoping that the feeble-minded America hating sour-pussed curmudgeon crook Murtha finds himself thrown out of Congress by the seat of his extra-large assed pants. I also hope someone kicks him in the nuts on the way out. Really hard.
FlatFoot on October 22, 2008 at 1:04 PM
This country is about to make a mistake of biblical proportions. People who have evaded responsibility for 8 years are about to be put in charge of the whole nine yards. When the reckoning comes it will be ugly. Maybe these Penn. folks will be ahead of the curve..
Bruno Strozek on October 22, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Let’s redeploy Murtha over the horizon.
dont taze me bro on October 22, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Wonder how that lawsuit is going?
Kini on October 22, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Term limits should actually not be needed if voters would move deadweight along like they should. Sadly, it is not just congressional critters that love earmarks and pork. Their voters are dead set against government waste when it is someone else’s but when it is for their area – well that is just good government at work.
Yeah, how about a little less “spread the wealth” and a bit more accountability and personal responsibility.
Vote and know what you are doing when you do it. Personally, did my part today. Skipped the straight party ticket choice – though I admit did not find many folks on the Democratic ticket I wanted to pull the voting lever for. (Though there are a few I’d pull another lever for, but hey there are Republicans I feel that way about too!)
kybowexar on October 22, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Why the heck is it even 50%?
How much diss has a guy gotta hit people up with before they abandon ship?
drjohn on October 22, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Odd, these people will not vote for Russell because they do not know WHO he is but that same logic is not applied to Obama! Drives me nuts!
I have known about Russell for months. He has a website! I live in MS NOT PA and I have sent people to his website to help donate money. I hope he kicks Murtha’s elitist ass! I think we might have the market cornered on Rednecks here in MS despite Murtha asserting they all reside in PA. LOL! And we love ‘em! Most of our Rednecks nationwide are fighting our wars, loving their families and to cling to their Bibles and guns. Rednecks also have a way of reducing the blatherings of Murtha down to the common sense level. It would go something like this, “Sounds like he might be on his high horse Bob!” or “Who the hell does he think he is?”
Note to Murtha- Jeff Foxworthy has made millions with his Redneck routine! Maybe there needs to be a new gig started by Rednecks that goes like this, “You might be a socialist, elitist if you want to redistribute the wealth!” or “You might be a socialist if you affiliate with American haters!” or “You might be a socialist if you send legions of lawyers to a state with the sole purpose of smearing someone!” and my fav, “You might be a socialist if you ATTACK someone like Joe the Plumber!”
freeus on October 22, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Murtha’s up for re-election every election.
BadgerHawk on October 22, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Remeber 1994. The media and political pundits knew that the republicans would pick up a few seats, but no one predicted the landslide that came. In my district, Dan Glickman was considered a safe dmeocrat seat up until the day of the election. Todd Tiahrt beat him, shockeing everyone. The attitude was to throw the bums out and I expect this election to be bad for republicans, but it ain’t over until it is over.
bopbottle on October 22, 2008 at 1:14 PM
One thing you need to know about Murtha voters: You can call them anything – racist, rednecks, anything – and they’ll take it as a compliment, because there are no words low enough to describe the excrement that has kept Murtha in office all these years. And they themselves know it.
jay12 on October 22, 2008 at 1:18 PM
From what I recall, Russell came back from Iraq and decided to run against Murtha. I have been in his corner for a while (since I heard about him on a radio show – Hugh Hewitt maybe???)- but now I shall put my money where my mouth is and I hope others will do the same.
HawaiiLwyr on October 22, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Term limits aside-why in the hell have the people of PA been voting for the Turd that passes as Murtha?!
They should be ashamed of themselves! Maybe they liked all the earmarks he was getting for them in the past (which is why ND votes in Dorgan & Conrad every time-but votes Red for POTUS). We could argue perhaps it’s the city dwellers & the ‘rednecks’ can’t get time off from work to go vote.
Whatever the case, I would rather be ruled by ‘rednecks’ than ‘city dwelling elitists’.
Badger40 on October 22, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Murtha is a political venereal disease, thus far resistant to antibiotics. It needs to be excised. I hope Russell is the cure.
SKYFOX on October 22, 2008 at 1:20 PM
In Taiwan, maybe? No wait, the Chinese wouldn’t go for that. Okinawa, then, as he once suggested for our troops in Iraq? Forget it, the Japanese would really be upset, once they got to know him.
Bigfoot on October 22, 2008 at 1:22 PM
BadgerHawk, I thought terms were staggered. Not everybody in the House and Senate are up every election. In my present home-state, Dick Lugar is not up for re-election, but Buyer is this time.
kybowexar on October 22, 2008 at 1:23 PM
I’ll only go with term limits if it is a States Rights issue. If the people in OK want it for their reps then let the people have it. Keep Uncle Sugar’s hand out of it.
Limerick on October 22, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Badger40, I agree with you – why do people keep sending these clowns back to Congress.
Perhaps they just want them out of their own state, well heck, send them to the STATE legislature. It’s what Texans do!
(Sorry channeling Molly Ivins moment…)
(laugh) She could be funny – for about six or seven hours out of a year.
kybowexar on October 22, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Allah, lose your damned pessimism about this one. Russell has been working strong under the radar and has some other issues going in his favor (some state House Dems in trouble for having state staffers working on campaigns on the state’s dime… all either in Murtha’s Congressional district or in PA 4, where another incumbent Dem is running scared). Russell’s worth the investment.
I know I will.
either orr on October 22, 2008 at 1:32 PM
The answer to your question, of course, is that Murtha’s district was specially gerrymandered into what I call “The Valley of Lowlife Scum”. I live next to his district. My district is blessed with Rep. Tim Murphy because the Murtha-electing scum have been gerrymandered out of it. You can travel to Johnstown, PA to experience it for yourself, or simply look at any other area that votes perpetually Democrat and you’ll know how things are in Murtha’s district.
jay12 on October 22, 2008 at 1:36 PM
I thought we already voted in term limits?
These people get in there and make this a well paying career, with millions in perks and have no clue why they are there.
Hening on October 22, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Real wisdom would ban the Democrat Party for historical corruption, treason and general incompetence and exile its leaders, but that horse left the barn decades ago.
NoDonkey on October 22, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Okay, call me out of the loop and too lazy to Google about it…he is up for re-election this time?
Representatives in the House serve 2 year terms, and are up for relection every even year cycle.
Didn’t they teach you that in skool?
I R A Darth Aggie on October 22, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Murths’a next gig? Consultant- teaching patriotism to Marines.
whitetop on October 22, 2008 at 1:43 PM
The people of Pennsylvania will really show their intellectual capacity to the world if they re-elect someone who labeled them racist rednecks. Murtha is a disgrace to the American people, but a leader of the people in Pennsylvania????
volsense on October 22, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Here’s what you do: Include in the term limit legislation a grandfather clause that exempts anyone currently serving in Congress. They generally have no problem voting to screw someone else, so this should get it passed. Then, we can get them out of there by attrition.
Kafir on October 22, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Just donated $50 to Russell.
Murtha has been past his freshness date for decades.
Blue-eyed Infidel on October 22, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Term Limits? Good One.
Out here in Colorado we passed a term limit movement so all of our U.S. House and Senate leaders could only serve for so long. It was ruled Un-Constitutional by the Supremes because apparently only the House and Senate have the authority to restrict how long they serve at our pleasure versus being voted out of office.
So add that to the new campaign finance rules McCain and Bush pushed through and we have in effect created a ruling class that is out of touch and untouchable.
jasoneverts on October 22, 2008 at 2:08 PM
There are some problems with just voting the bums out. Congressional districts are gerrymandered beyond belief. And campaign finance laws are tailored to give incumbents a pass.
snaggletoothie on October 22, 2008 at 2:24 PM
I am not certain that term limits is the answer, but bipartisan legislation against the power of incumbency would be a great start. Hard to imagine these swine voting in ethics and structural rules which limit their electoral advantages, but if achieved it would be far better than telling voters that they can’t re-elect a great legislator, just because it’s been two terms already.
Jaibones on October 22, 2008 at 2:24 PM
I hope this gasbag is sent out to pasture. I despise his voice and do not ever want to see his nasty face on TV again. Bugger off, Murtha you fookin’ EX-Marine.
JohnAGJ on October 22, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Great idea. Then run against them using their own argument for term limits as the reason voters should dump them.
Jaibones on October 22, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Congressmen are like diapers. They need to be changed often and for the same reason.
Murphy9 on October 22, 2008 at 2:26 PM
On one hand, “Get them out before they are cynically beaten down and/or corrupted.”
On the other, “Do you really want a choice of presidential candidates like Obama and Edwards every four years?”
- The Cat
MirCat on October 22, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Russell originally gathered the required signatures to get on the ballot and Murtha’s people pulled an Obama trick and got enough kicked out to disqualify him. Volunteers (myself included) gathered five times the needed amount on the day of the primary. Admittedly challengers rarely win the first time around and Bill couldn’t personally campaign while he was still in the army…and Murtha has brought home a legendary amount of pork. But Russell is definitely making inroads and I can personally tell you he is a man worthy of our support.
DCJeff on October 22, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Districts are so heavily Gerrymandered that it is extremely difficult to unseat an incumbent. If we’re going to have the pols draw up their own districts we need term limits. The other solution would be to have a more non-partisan group, like that is possible, drawing up the districts.
My own district NC-4 includes the Peoples Republic of Chapel Hill and enough of Durham to ensure a Democrat holds the seat forever. They have cut my somewhat conservative, tech heavy city (Cary) into 3 districts all represented by dems. If Cary were its own district we’d have a Republican in the house. The NC-4 house member is David Price, probably not a name you’ve heard of, which says a lot about a guy who has been in the house for 20 of the past 22 years. Not one of the most effective members of the US House. But he’s a dem so I repeat myself.
Sparky on October 22, 2008 at 2:51 PM
I’d love to see a lifetime term limit. That is, in addition to declaring that you can only be in one position for a certain number of years, there would be a limit to the number of years any one person can hold ANY elected position. Be it mayor, governor, state representative, whatever.
MarkTheGreat on October 22, 2008 at 2:55 PM
One day a florist goes to Joe the Barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asks about his bill and Joe replies, ‘I cannot accept money from you. I’m doing community service this week.’
The florist is pleased and leaves the shop.
When Joe goes to open his shop the next morning there is a thank you card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies that he can accept no payment because of his community service.
The next morning when Joe goes to open up there is a thank you card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.
That afternoon, Joe the Congressman comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill Joe the Barber replies, ‘I cannot accept money from you. I’m doing community service this week.’
Joe the Congressman is delighted and leaves the barber shop.
The next morning when Joe the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.
ManlyRash on October 22, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Amen, Brother! I have felt they were necessary for the last 10 years. When the Fannie/Freddie situation exploded, it just upped my support for term limits. Two terms for a Senator, four terms for a Representative. Lets get fresh blood moving through Congress and return to the idea of citizen/politician.
Mallard T. Drake on October 22, 2008 at 3:12 PM
I don’t live in Russel’s state, but you better believe with two sons in Iraq, I contributed to his campaign. I hope others will consider doing the same. Murtha needs to be retired, at least.
labwriter on October 22, 2008 at 3:20 PM
I live in the 5th, right next to Murtha’s district. I’ve donated and donated and donated to Russell’s campaign. He’s a good man, and he’s run one hell of a campaign, including throwing cookouts all over the district to benefit veterans’ families. The 5th is the most important congressional race in Pennsylvania.
rightwingprof on October 22, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Obama’s going to have a real hard time in W-PA, and Murtha isn’t safe even in his ridiculously gerrymandered district.
We’ll see if Joe “Archbishop of Scranton” Biden saves him in NE-PA.
McCain needs PA to win, and he can get it, but he and Palin had better spend some more time in Lancaster, York and Allentown-Bethlehem in the next two weeks.
It would be nice if Joementum could make a trip to the Philly and Pittsburgh suburbs and Squirrel Hill. Lynn Swan could do some good too. And how about Lambert? Last I heard he was a game warden near Pittsburgh.
forest on October 22, 2008 at 4:18 PM
I gave money to Russell two months ago. I don’t vote in PA but my family does and they can’t stand Murtha. Bill Russell is telling constituents that he wants to succeed where Murtha failed in getting PA on the map for the U.S. “all of the above” energy plan. PA has huge CLEAN coal and natural gas production possibilities. Think about the jobs that would create that are NOT tied to military expenses and which would help America depend upon it’s own resources.
Murtha is a disgrace. The people in Western PA may just be ready to let him know that they are not fooled by him.
SayWhat on October 22, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Exit question: Anyone else finding themselves more and more convinced of the wisdom of term limits?
Amen, Brother! I have felt they were necessary for the last 10 years. When the Fannie/Freddie situation exploded, it just upped my support for term limits. Two terms for a Senator, four terms for a Representative. Lets get fresh blood moving through Congress and return to the idea of citizen/politician.
Mallard T. Drake on October 22, 2008 at
________________
I agree that voters need to remove the dead wood in Congress when they stop performing. The problem with term limits is that history shows that candidates simply changed party and ran again (which is allowed). My prayer is that voters are seeing that the “incumbent” should be kept based on how they represent the voters who elected him/her. Murtha has delivered on money but that money is taxation to THEM.
If candidates can show the voters a plan to grow jobs and opportunity without it costing them in taxes, they will be doing their district the biggest service in elections.
SayWhat on October 22, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Heather Nauert…beautiful.
Levinite on October 22, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Elections ARE term limits. You either win, or you’re gone.
tree hugging sister on October 22, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Just another compassionate democrat.
If his recent comments are about his own constituents then what in the world does he think about the rest of us?
Gulf Coast on October 22, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Hey
All of you “Red Necks, Hicks and Bitter Bible and Gun Clingers”,
If you want to see Murtha forcibally retired, please go to RussellBrigade.com and donate a few bucks like I did and kiss the “King of Pork” Bye-bye.
Kuffar on October 22, 2008 at 5:22 PM
So you’re a racist or redneck if you don’t support Obama.
This guy represents Pa. Wow!
Seems to me people who do not approve of socialism in america and black liberation theology, among other issues, might just be called INFORMED & not recist/rednecks.
Certainly 2 good reasons, among many, not to vote for BO.
Seems to me Murtha seems to think he can do and say anything and the people in Pa. will vote for him anyway.
He truly must believe the people in Pa. are stupid by making such remarks and wanting to be re-elected.
It’s the only think that makes sense.
Gulf Coast on October 22, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Just thinking in a bizarre sort of way…
karl9000 on October 22, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Every Member of the House is up for re-election every two years. The Senate is divided into three equal groups. Every two years a different group (one third) is up for re-election.
There.
Pelayo on October 22, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Gulf Coast on October 22, 2008 at 5:38 PM
I’ve supported Russell for several months and many dollars and I live in Texas! From what I understand, a lot of his campaign funds are coming from all over the country and he is AHEAD of Murtha in $$. The name recognition will be the thing Russell will have to overcome, but with all his money, it shouldn’t prove too much of a problem.
Russell ‘08!
Neocon Peg on October 22, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Murtha just might find out Pa. voters are not as stupid as he thinks they are.
Go Pa. and give this man the only message that counts and VOTE HIM OUT!
It’s all of us racist, gun toting, religious, bigots, that need to give these people a stong message.
There’s a lot of us in the good ol’ USA and all we have to do is VOTE and clean out these elitists.
Gulf Coast on October 23, 2008 at 10:36 AM
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