Murtha extends the "middle finger of friendship" to his hometown newspaper

Murtha's hometown newspaper endorsed his return to Congress, with this particular caveat:

We are frightened by Murtha’s willingness to align himself with California Democrat Nancy Pelosi. Clearly, Murtha is hoping that relationship paves the way for his ascension to a position of higher power in the House. But we don’t believe our region’s values match well with Pelosi’s, and we don’t see much good coming for the 12th district – even if the relationship benefits the congressman.

and...

...In the end, we endorse Murtha for another go-round in Washington.

But we urge him to remain faithful to his fiscally and socially conservative western Pennsylvania roots – even if it costs him in personal gain and national influence.

Was the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat so naive even for a moment to think that the senile, self-serving megalomaniacal windbag Jack Murtha would actually heed their advice?

... Fresh off his victory in Tuesday’s general election, U.S. Rep. John Murtha already has his sights set on another round of voting.

With Democrats winning control of the House, Murtha now is one of two representatives in the running to become majority leader.

He already has been touted as one of the House’s most powerful Demo-crats. (sic)

Whether he wins the vote of his Democratic peers later this month will serve as a test of that assumption.

Murtha trounced Republican challenger Diana Irey, and Murtha told The Associated Press he “absolutely” will battle U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland – the House minority whip – for majority leader.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, minority leader, is poised to become the nation’s first female speaker of the House. If Murtha becomes majority leader, he would rank second among House Democrats behind her.

By virtue of his current position, Hoyer might seem a natural to ascend to majority leader.

But Murtha’s national profile has risen remarkably in the past year, largely due to his persistent criticism of the Bush administration and the war in Iraq.

An aide to Pelosi said her boss has not weighed in yet on the leadership race.

“(Pelosi) has the highest respect for Murtha,” aide Jennifer Crider said. “His stance on Iraq changed the debate on the Iraq war in this country.”

Face it, Democrat-Tribune--lo these 32 years, from ABSCAM to Haditha, Murtha has been in it for Murtha. There's no way that the megalomaniacal bastard would give up a power seat in congress, and yes, Murtha has proven time and time again that he will sell his very soul to achieve his political ambitions. And if you think that Murtha's seditious rhetoric will tone down anytime soon, think again:

The 32-year House veteran said voters had sent a message to President Bush and Republican congressional leaders.

“They don’t want a rubber-stamp Congress,” Murtha said Tuesday night. “They want a Congress that’s going to stand up.”

As for Bush’s future actions in Iraq, Murtha was blunt: “He’s not going to go on with this war.”

You can bet the farm that a Murtha-led congress will cut the funding for our troops and their mission, thus placing them in ever-increasing peril.

It will be Jack Murtha himself, not George Bush, who will turn Iraq into another Vietnam. And the consequences of another Vietnam this time around couldn't be deadlier.