Murtha scrambles against GOP rival

(Compiler's note: No John, you did NOT "get blindsided." You were just to arrogant to see what was going on in your own area for the past year. Keep after him Bill!!!! Semper Fidelis, rca)

BY MIKE FAHER

It would have been considered unthinkable just a few weeks ago: U.S. Rep. John Murtha, a 17-term congressional stalwart, forced to fight for his political life.

But that’s what appears to be happening just days before 12th district voters decide whether to send the powerful Johnstown Democrat back to Washington.

In the past week, Murtha’s campaign has shifted from cruise control to top speed in the face of a surprisingly strong challenge from Republican opponent William Russell.
And while polling data are scarce, it is clear that the veteran congressman and his supporters – both locally and nationally – are concerned.

"I got blindsided," Murtha acknowledged Friday after an event at Pitt-Johnstown. "I should never have waited as long (to campaign) as I did," he said. "I just thought nobody would vote for a guy who has never lived in this district."

For most of this year, the 12th district race – pitting Murtha against a political newcomer who moved here to challenge the incumbent – was attracting no attention from election operatives or the national press.

But that changed in mid-October, when Murtha called western Pennsylvania a "racist area" and later used the term "redneck" to describe his district’s history – both during media interviews.

The controversy prompted a Murtha apology, but also spurred a Murtha parody on NBC’s "Saturday Night Live."

Whether those comments have led directly to the significant tightening of this race is up for debate. Russell has for months attempted to paint his opponent as an out-of-touch liberal, leaning heavily on Murtha’s opposition to the war in Iraq.

"Our internal (polling) showed three weeks ago that this was a race – even before Jack called his constituents racist," said Peg Luksik, Russell’s campaign manager.

‘It is urgent’

Still, it is clear that the last seven to 10 days have dramatically changed the tenor of the race:

• On Oct. 23, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that a poll conducted for the newspaper showed Murtha with only a four-point lead, within the survey’s margin of error.

• On Oct. 25, Murtha’s campaign sent its first press release attacking Russell directly. Several more were issued over the following days.

• Financial contributions to Murtha’s campaign – which had lagged behind Russell in fund- raising and spending – in-creased dramatically in the past seven days.

• Murtha advertisements have been running frequently on local TV stations and are appearing in this newspaper this weekend.

Forms filed with the Federal Election Commission show Murtha having raised $570,750 this week. And those reports account only for donations of $1,000 or more.

In contrast, Murtha reported $457,340 in contributions from July 1 through Sept. 30.
The Hill, a Washington newspaper, on Thursday reported that Murtha "has sent out a last-minute plea for $1 million to save his hotly contested seat."

And on Wednesday, Murtha put out a fundraising plea to members of the liberal group MoveOn.org.

"When I ask for help, it is because I really need it," he wrote. "It is urgent."
‘Helping with advertising’

To further highlight that sense of urgency, national political groups this week made their presence felt in the 12th district race for the first time.

Sensing Murtha’s vulnerability, the National Republican Congressional Committee went on the attack with television ads. "After four decades in Congress, John Murtha has grown out of touch," said Ken Spain, the GOP congressional committee’s spokesman.

"By calling his own constituents racists and rednecks, he has brought national embarrassment upon himself and to the district he claims to represent."

Meanwhile, a campaign organization representing House Democrats bought television time to defend Murtha. And state Democrats also are chipping in. "We’re helping with advertising, we’re helping with mailers," said Abe Amoros, state Democratic Party spokesman.

As they did in 2006, when Murtha’s Iraq stance led to a relatively tough re-election campaign, fellow Democratic politicians are stepping forward to back the congressman.
Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner called The Tribune-Democrat this week to offer his support. Wagner, along with Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, is scheduled to appear in Johnstown today at a 9:45 a.m. rally for the congressman at 647 Main St.
Wagner, who like Murtha is a Vietnam veteran, said he has supported the congressman since his first campaign in 1974.

"Pennsylvania, especially western Pennsylvania, doesn’t have a more effective person in government than Congressman Murtha," Wagner said.‘We feel ... confident’
As it became clear this week that Murtha had a fight on his hands, many local leaders have expressed similar sentiments.

For the most part, they are effusively praising Murtha’s well-documented ability to bring cash and jobs to the district. "He has led us to a diverse economy, a vibrant economy," said P.J. Stevens, Cambria County president commissioner. "And going forward, nobody is in a better position than the congressman to see that the growth continues."

On Friday, Murtha received Pitt-Johnstown’s distinguished alumni award. In a speech at the ceremony, university President Jem Spectar discussed the congressman’s support for the educational system.

Amoros said Democrats believe Murtha’s constituents are "more worried about their pocketbooks" than the congressman’s recent controversies.

"We feel quite confident that, at the end of the day on Tuesday, Jack Murtha will be re-elected," he said.

But where some see a temporary aberration, Russell’s supporters believe they’re witnessing a sea change.

"If you disconnect from the people you represent," Luksik said, "eventually they’re going to notice."