Murtha: ‘If I’m corrupt, it’s because I take care of my district.’
Murtha: ‘If I’m corrupt, it’s because I take care of my district.’
Criticism of Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), whom Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) calls one of the “most corrupt members of Congress,” has been mounting recently over his aggressive efforts to steer money to his district. In a recent interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Murtha used stark language to defend himself against charges of corruption:
Mr. Murtha, a 76-year-old Marine veteran schooled in the blunt-knuckle deal-making that defined politics here, is contrition-free when it comes to his success.
“If I’m corrupt, it’s because I take care of my district,” Mr. Murtha said. “My job as a member of Congress is to make sure that we take care of what we see is necessary. Not the bureaucrats who are unelected over there in whatever White House, whether it’s Republican or Democrat. Those bureaucrats would like to control everything. Every president would like to have all the power and not have Congress change anything. But we’re closest to the people.”
Murtha’s remarks recall another one of CREW’s most corrupt lawmakers, Rep. Don Young (R-AK), who defended his controversial earmarks on the House floor in 2007. “I was always proud of my earmarks. I believe in earmarks, always have, as long as they are exposed. But don’t you ever call that a scandal,” said Young.
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What a sorry thing to say. Another corporafornicator above the law?
March 30th, 2009 at 5:13 pmGreat!
Now you’ll be able to – very soon – be picking up trash on the side of your district’s roads, dressed in a bright orange jumpsuit, with a mean gun toting man nearby!
March 30th, 2009 at 5:16 pmSome of these blatant influence peddlers need to give their remarks from behind bars. That includes the givers and receivers.
Another sign America has sunk to Third World status, besides our monetary policy and gutless justice department.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:17 pmI would rather see the money go to Murthas district than Boehner’s!
March 30th, 2009 at 5:24 pmA-freaking-men.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:24 pmMurtha: ‘If I’m corrupt, it’s because I take care of my district.’
– - Say goodnight, John.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:29 pmReally, who hasn’t said:
“If I’m corrupt it’s because I take care of my district.”
March 30th, 2009 at 5:30 pmor:
“If I’m fat it’s because I’m wide for my height.”
or:
“If I’m drunk it’s because there was some beer left in the keg and I didn’t want it to go to flat.”
or:
“If I’m lying, it’s because it’s for your own good.”
or:
“If I’m having an affair with your sister, it’s because I’m horny and she reminds me of you.”
or:
“If I’m eating human flesh it’s because I wanted a ham sandwich and there was nothing to eat but tht corpse.”
Murtha needs to start spending more quality time with his family. NOW.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:32 pmMUrtha, you don;t just supposed to represent your state, you are supposed to represent the nation as a whole–you are a federal lawmaker in charge of federal funds.
As you have chosen not to defend your earmarks on their own merits but rather have chosen (as you have in the past)to paint yourself the victim of some kind of moral relativism and have then offered up straw men–”bureaucrats” who do not determine state or federal funding—you should STFU. Your indignation is a farce.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:33 pmThis thread highlights another difference between “libs” and trolls: No one is defending Murtha here. What he did/does is wrong and he’s being called out on it. contrastt this with any Billo thread…
March 30th, 2009 at 5:37 pmI’m so glad that I’m reading about this here. This isn’t the first time, but stuff like this does give TP so much more credibility than many sites and I truly appreciate it.
Bobwurst,
March 30th, 2009 at 5:38 pmI don’t care to mention exactly how many times I’ve said that last one… I do make a tasty sauce, btw.
If the system is set up such that competing districts are tempted to “go the extra mile” to get money for their districts, therefore insuring their re-election, the ssystem needs to be revamped.
The current system appears to foster corruption and fistfights among adjacent districts. It’s why insider trading on Wall St. was (supposedly, anyway) made illegal.
There may well be a formula to distribute funding for districts so that representatives can go about the business of representing rather than spending time making backroom deals and undercutting each other; ostensibly weakening the whole.
They are supposedly all part of the same country, and if the system is promoting infighting and corruption, there needs be some changes.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:39 pmThis reminds me an awful lot of the OJ Simpson book “If I Did It.” As a reminder, OJ said that “IF” he killed his wife, it would have been because he loved her very much. Murtha should be ashamed of himself.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:40 pmWhile term limits may be considered, it is past time for publicly funded elections.
Heck, if we actually had a decent media est. in this country, pols could actually debate on t.v. as part of the public service requirement of fcc license holders.
These guys shouldn’t be allowed to take any $ from their friendly neighborhood lobbyists.
Maybe I’m too naive…..
:[
March 30th, 2009 at 5:41 pmKeep in mind, btw, this is not a defense of Murtha or any rep. In fact, they are more likely to scandal if tempted because of the nature of earmarks being inextricably tied to their keeping office. My point is to reduce the temptation factor.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:42 pmSo is Murtha saying that corruption is a good thing, something to aspire to ?
I’ll bet Roland Burris would love to be his protege.
March 30th, 2009 at 5:56 pmI believe it was this “the end justifies the means” attitude that got the US in Iraq in the first place.
Murtha comes very close to admitting he is a corrupt politicians, IMO.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:01 pmWhoa, whoa, whoa, people!
Murtha has a “D” after his name. Are we allowed to criticize him? The trolls all say we’re supposed to worship him, no matter how corrupt he is.
What gives?
March 30th, 2009 at 6:10 pmIs there anyone you like?
March 30th, 2009 at 6:13 pmGuess not.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:19 pmWe just LOVE you!!!
March 30th, 2009 at 6:28 pmOh, I love you too.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:33 pmObserve the puzzlement on the conservative’s face as she beholds something previously unknown to the right-wing world: people willing to criticize corrupt politicians, EVEN THOUGH those politicians are members of their own political coalition.
Amazing!
March 30th, 2009 at 6:38 pmWhoa ralph, take it easy there buddy, new concepts must be introduced veeerry veery slooooowly.
No one wants to get hurt around here now…..:]
March 30th, 2009 at 6:42 pmHey Ralph…I think it’s great you aren’t in favor of a corrupt politician…it just seems on this website, there really is no one you like so, it’s good to know you don’t hate everyone.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:42 pmWell, it’s good to see you’re not prone to presuming the most extreme extension of a situation. That gets rather tiresome.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:46 pmCut Murtha some slack. He is a politician. Can anyone name 3 politicians that aren’t corrupt in some way. All he is trying to do is grab the most for his constituents. Yes he’s corrupt but if you want it to change, try blaming some of our other cultural phenomenons. When we have shows like Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire, Cash Grab, Wheel of Fortune….etc what can you expect?
I must ask why Mr. Corley thought this would be good to discuss. Political Corruption? Really?! It’s like pointing out a killer in war. I hope for more relevant postings in the future.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:46 pmI’m sure it gets tiresome. I can understand that. I CAN learn things about people, sometimes it suprises (spelling?) me but in a good way.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:47 pmA-Punx..you’re right….it seems these days, no matter what side of the aisle that “policitian” and “corruption” are attached at the hip.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:48 pmThis is the crux of the problem with “earmarks.” It is time to open eliminate these politically driven funding choices and begin to make spending decisions based on need and value to the nation as a whole. It is time to reform congress and how funding decisions are made.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:55 pmA-Punx Says:
Cut Murtha some slack. He is a politician. Can anyone name 3 politicians that aren’t corrupt in some way. All he is trying to do is grab the most for his constituents. Yes he’s corrupt but if you want it to change, try blaming some of our other cultural phenomenons. When we have shows like Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire, Cash Grab, Wheel of Fortune….etc what can you expect?
I must ask why Mr. Corley thought this would be good to discuss. Political Corruption? Really?! It’s like pointing out a killer in war. I hope for more relevant postings in the future.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I’m concerned about your attitude. You seem happy to accept the fact that everyone in politics is corrupt. This attitude leads people to not bother participating in the voting process. And if you’re not going to bother voting, why come to a political blog?
As for “pointing out a killer in war,” a “killer” would be someone who kills outside the rules of war. Are you implying that our soldiers are “killers” because they kill people who are trying to kill them?
March 30th, 2009 at 7:02 pmIt’s possible that the thread is about fighting corruption regardless of party affiliation.
It’s also possible Murtha has voiced opposition to the President on Afghanistan:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29494466/
March 30th, 2009 at 7:04 pmMurtha has always been a mixed bag. His splitting with Bush over the Iraq war was important but even then he carried the baggage that is surfacing today. It is time to let the chips fall where they may.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:26 pmAh, yes… b-cup is here with his “they attacked Obama” all-purpose explanation for just about anything.
Servin’ it up, piping hot!
March 30th, 2009 at 7:50 pmCorrect. I believe that even when he was leading the challenges to Bush’s Iraq strategies, Murtha made CREW’s list of most corrupt congressmen every year it’s been compiled.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:54 pmMurtha is honest and offers no stupid excuses. Rightous indignation and platitudes aren,t going to make a difference.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:11 pmThis guy’s primary loyality is to the people who elect him, and they expect him to go to Washington to represent them(compete for their cut of the pie). He is effective and I defenitely would want him on my side if I had to choose!
The present climate in our congress is directly the result of the Bush/Republican congress. Compare earmarks from 2000 to today. This culture was set up to keep the Republican in power for a long time (Carl Roves’ idea). The earmark system
gives the representives more discretion for monies that by and large go to good enterprises. The question is how pushing back the system and devoloping a more open and effective method to appropriate monies? Obama took alot of heat on this one but other priorities got in the way this year. He is not up against just Republicans, but the whole congress.
If Murtha needs his wings clipped, it is up to the people who elected him.
If Murtha made the CREW list even when he was leading opposition to Bush’s Iraq strategies, was a story about his corruption run, here at TP, at the time?
If it wasn’t, the question is: Why is a story about his corruption being run now?
I’m suggesting it is because he is now opposing, not Bush’s, but Obama’s war strategies.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29494466/
March 30th, 2009 at 8:15 pmMurtha admits to corruption. Murtha, like the Criminals Bush and Cheney, needs to go to prison.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:17 pmI am disappointed. I really did like Murtha.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:25 pmResign you F’ing corrupt dinosaur. Obama doesn’t need this kind of distraction right now mr murtha…
March 30th, 2009 at 8:36 pmkick him out of office…this piece of crap needs to go…we’re done w/ the old ways…there’s a new sheffif in town..and he dodn’t take kindly to stealin’, thievin’, lyin’, members of congress…and this is comin from the strongest dem supporter there is…we need a clean slate…of course if we really cleaned up the congress..who would we have left?
March 30th, 2009 at 9:31 pmvegasbaby Says:
——————————————————————————–
kick him out of office…this piece of crap needs to go…we’re done w/ the old ways…there’s a new sheffif in town..and he dodn’t take kindly to stealin’, thievin’, lyin’, members of congress…and this is comin from the strongest dem supporter there is…we need a clean slate…of course if we really cleaned up the congress..who would we have left?
A pratical point, but who would be standing. At least Murtha didn’t give some lame excuse, and I do appreciate that!
March 30th, 2009 at 9:46 pmWhat is it with waspy old white dudes?
March 30th, 2009 at 10:26 pmMurtha’s problem is not the money that he got for his district, its the defense budget money that went to firms represented by his brother the lobbyist that label him corrupt. I appreciate his efforts in Iraq, but I always thought he was pissed because money used to replace blown up humvees couldn’t be diverted to his “pet firms”.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:50 pmIf I robbed a bank, if I kidnapped bums from the streets only to use their flesh for stew. If I blockaded the doors of a building and set it afire with the inhabitants inside.
I only did it to feed my family.
March 31st, 2009 at 12:28 amThis is the mindset of all politicians who have known no other way of life but to line not only their own pockets, but those of their cronys and relatives. Isn’t this what Think Progress is fighting against, despite party affiliation? I’m not sure about anyone else but I think term limits for Congress and Senate members is long over due. Some will argue that term limits doesn’t work but that’s the type of change I think is long over due. Stop the cronyism in Congress argue for term limits.
March 31st, 2009 at 12:55 amGee Murtha, I’m surprised you couldn’t come up with something better than the Blago defense with your military background. Seal your book deal now and take down the whole corrupt establishment with you. Might make your long-awaited retirement a little easier.
All of the bail-out money coming back to D.C. in the form of campaign contributions tells the real truth. There is only one real party, that of incumbents. Where is taxation with representation when our taxes are being misused to perpetuate the incumbency of a bunch of corrupt politicians?
March 31st, 2009 at 1:27 am.
If I’m a thief, it’s only because I take care of my family, RIGHT?
Same sh!t…
… Different pie hole.
.
March 31st, 2009 at 1:43 amdbadass,
March 31st, 2009 at 1:45 amIt’s not a wrinkly old white man thing.
Wow. Bad answer, Rep Murtha.
I think it’s time for you to retire…
March 31st, 2009 at 1:52 am.
It’s the big IF argument Murtha’s hiding behind. However, the simple fact that he’s not denying it does deserve it’s place in that big IF he parades around.
Dear Mr. Murtha,
IF you’re not, then why suggest that you just, may be?
This is similar to the same tactic Bristol used on her mom…
… “Mom, IF I’m pregnant, will you still be the v.p. nominee?”
But the real question begs to be asked:
Dear 12th congressional district of Pa,
Do you deserve a corrupt person representing you?
.
March 31st, 2009 at 1:53 amWhat’s he mean, “if” I’m corrupt? Drop the caveat dude, you and the rest of those demo pigs are the most corrupt bunch to ever stink up the Capital.
April 1st, 2009 at 3:12 am______
ralph the wonder locust Says:
Whoa, whoa, whoa, people!
Murtha has a “D” after his name. Are we allowed to criticize him? The trolls all say we’re supposed to worship him, no matter how corrupt he is.
What gives?
March 30th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
______
It doesn’t go over too well when stateofthedivsion does it. ;)
April 1st, 2009 at 7:04 pm