The Swiftboating Of John Murtha Begins...

The White House has no shame.

Without the facts/reality on their side, they fall back on their favorite weapon- character assassination. From John McCain in 2000 to Paul O'Neill to Richard Clarke to John Kerry to Cindy Sheehan to Democratic senators questioning Alito, the Rove-fueled machine of perpetual campaigning is all about the smear. With Rep. Murtha still out there delivering the truth to the masses, the administration of chickenhawks is once again doing something McCain and Kerry know well... the attacking of a decorated Vietnam veteran.

From the shameless CNSNews.com: Murtha's War Hero Status Called Into Question

Having ascended to the national stage as one of the most vocal critics of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq, Pennsylvania Democratic Congressman John Murtha has long downplayed the controversy and the bitterness surrounding the two Purple Hearts he was awarded for military service in Vietnam...

Hey, I think I've heard this story before....

The Huffington Post exposed this planned strategy on Thursday:
Bush Admin. Launched Secret Smear Campaign Against Murtha...

Unlike Kerry, Rep. Murtha is not shying away from defending himself. After all, he was a Marine-
Questions About My Record (Rep. John Murtha)

"Questions about my record are clearly an attempt to distract attention from the real issue, which is that our brave men and women in uniform are dying and being injured every day in the middle of a civil war that can be resolved only by the Iraqis themselves."

"I volunteered for a year's duty in Vietnam. I was out in the field almost every single day. We took heavy casualties in my regiment the year that I was there. In my fitness reports, I was rated No. 1. My record is clear."

I hope the American people have become smart enough to see through it this time. The President owes us the truth, not smears. He can attack Murtha all he wants, but it's a losing battle. He can't change the reality of the war. We can't accomplish anything more militarily in Iraq, the country's not a flowering democracy, and our troops will start coming home this year. The American people know it, the Pentagon knows it, it's time for the President to accept that and not insult our intelligence with any repetitive 'stay the course' speeches given against a graphical background of flags and bumper-sticker phrases like 'Strategy For Victory'. We all want our soldiers to succeed, but we don't want them fighting the Iraqis' civil war. "Victory or defeat" are not our only two options; there are more practical options available.

Firedoglake has a good take on the Murtha swiftboating- This Is How It 's Done -- Pt. 2