Naturally, Murtha's criminality doesn't have any bearing on the abstract question of whether, in late 2006 and early 2007, it would have been wiser to withdraw from Iraq rather than initiate a surge. But Murtha's emergence as key spokesman for the anti-surge position rested very much on the perception that he (a Marine veteran, I should add) sincerely loved the troops and was speaking from the heart. If Murtha's other activities were subjected to a bit more scrutinity at the time, I don't think that either his fellow Democrats or the Sunday morning hosts would've treated him as a credible spokesman.

jwest wrote: “I don’t know if you’re agreeing with me…”

No, I was not agreeing with you.

jwest wrote: “DeLay was indicted…”

Yes jwest, DeLay WAS INDICTED… and John Murtha has NOT BEEN INDICTED.

jwest wrote: “I’m sure if you look back in the TMV archives, the authors here probably wore out a number of keyboards making sure everyone knew DeLay’s name was linked to an indictment.”

I'm sure 'a number of keyboards' will be worn out IF John Murtha's name is linked to an indictment, too.
At some point in the future John Murtha may, or may not, be indicted but it will be investigators, prosecutors, and the court based on actual FACT that make that determination… NOT you or me.

I don’t know if you’re agreeing with me and being sarcastic about DeLay or if you believe there is some comparison between the two.

DeLay was indicted by a hyper-partisan prosecutor named Ronnie Earl, who had asked two grand juries previously to bring an indictment against DeLay but refused because there was no case.

True to the maxim that a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich if the prosecutor wants it, the third time was a charm. As you mentioned, this case has not been brought to court yet, even though it has been sitting there for years. This is truly a case of abuse of office by Ronnie Earl for political purposes.

DeLay stepped down from his leadership position because of the accusation, something no Democrat would ever dream of doing.

I’m sure if you look back in the TMV archives, the authors here probably wore out a number of keyboards making sure everyone knew DeLay’s name was linked to an indictment.

The one thing that is certain – if Murtha was a Republican, this would only be one of a dozen articles each day on the subject.

Yep… Just like Tom DeLay, eh?

In 2005, a Texas grand jury indicted DeLay on criminal charges that he had conspired to violate campaign finance laws during that period. DeLay denied the charges and pled not guilty, saying they were politically motivated and the law he was indicted under did not apply until later, but Republican Conference rules forced him to resign temporarily from his position as Majority Leader. However, as of yet, the prosecutor has still not brought the case before a jury.