Democratic Representative John Murtha, the chairman of the House of Representatives defense appropriations subcommittee who exercised enormous influence on defense issues, died on Monday.

Murtha, 77, died peacefully at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington with his family by his side, a statement from his office said. He had been hospitalized recently with a gallbladder problem.

As the top Democrat on the House panel that oversaw defense appropriations, Murtha wielded big clout in Congress, making decisions affecting billions of dollars in defense-related spending.

The Pennsylvanian was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in February 1974. He was a former Marine and veteran of the Vietnam war.

It’s bad form to speak ill of the dead so I’ll just say, Godspeed Congressman, rest in peace.

Related

• Rep. Murtha Dead at 77 – FoxNews.com
• John Murtha dies, special election looms – Chris Cillizza, The Washington Post
• Rep. Murtha Dies – Mike Memoli, Real Clear Politics
• Murtha dead at 77 – Hot Air
  

Uncomfortable town hall meetings are just the tip of the iceberg for Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter. He now trails Republican Pat Toomey by double digits in his bid for reelection next year and is viewed unfavorably by a majority of the state’s voters.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Pennsylvania voters shows 48% would vote for Toomey if the election were held today. Just 36% would vote for Specter while four percent (4%) prefer a third option, and 12% are not sure.

These figures reflect a dramatic reversal since June. At that time, before the public health care debate began, Specter led Toomey by eleven.

Ouch… One has to wonder if the Democrats will even nominate Specter.

“He intends to get in the race,” says Meg Infantino, the Congressman’s sister, who works at Sestak for Congress. “In the not too distant future, he will sit down with his wife and daughter to make the final decision.”

The move would constitute a primary challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), who intends to run for re-election in 2010, after having switched parties earlier this year.

Earlier today, a Sestak volunteer and contributor received a handwritten note from Sestak himself, announcing his intent to run and asking for a contribution. The source provided TPMDC a scan of the letter:

The note says, “I am writing you as especially dear supporters to let you know I intend to run for the U.S. Senate…my candidacy’s credibility will have much to do with my fundraising success by the 30 June FEC filing deadline at the end of this quarter. Would you help me bring the change for the future we Pennsylvanians need[?]“

Arlen Specter is an difficult position politically he’s percieved as to “conservative” for many on the left and to “liberal” for many the right… At first glance Rep. Sestak seems to be facing an uphill fight just on name recognition, but if he can garner a enough support from the netroots Sen. Specter could have a real fight on his hands in the Democratic primary.

Still it’s a long shot, Barack Obama promised to support Sen. Specter when he switched parties… I not sure Rep. Sestak can overcome Specter’s incumbency advantage and the opposition of a popular president. The netroots just aren’t that influential.

If nothing else Rep Sestak’s challenge should make Specter sweat a little.

Related

• The Coming Comeuppance in Pennsylvania – Mary Katherine Ham, The Weekly Standard
• Awesome: Sestak ready to challenge Specter in Democratic primary – Hot Air

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Seven Pittsburgh-area ACORN workers were charged with falsifying voter registration forms, with six accused of doing so to meet the group’s alleged quota system before last year’s general election.

District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. said he’s hoping the workers charged Thursday will help authorities determine whether Allegheny County ACORN officials will be charged with requiring the illegal quotas or otherwise directing that voter registrations be faked.

“You should consider the investigation as ongoing,” Zappala said.

Six suspects forged a total of 51 cards, a felony that carries up to seven years in prison. The same six also were charged with illegally accepting payments to meet a quota of 20 registrations per day – a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.

Count me among those who thinks the Census Bureau should reconsider ACORN’s involvement as a partner in the census. If ACORN’s history of questionable voter registration campaigns doesn’t disqualify them then these charges should.

Related

• ACORN got $53 million in federal funds since 94, now eligible for up to $8 billion more – Washington Examiner

Just days after classifying western Pennsylvania as racist, Murtha took a step back from those comments, albeit a small one.

“What I said, that indicted everybody, that’s not what I meant at all. What I mean is there’s still folks that have a problem voting for someone because they are black,” Murtha said.

Murtha said the history of southwestern Pennsylvania is rife with racism.”This whole area, years ago, was really redneck,” Murtha told Channel 4 Action News.

Murtha believes there is one segment of the population which is holding on to its racist beliefs and he said it’s difficult for them to change. Murtha said it may be even more difficult for them to vote for Sen. Barack Obama for president.

“Particularly older people. They want change but they don’t want to see things go too far,” Murtha said.

Full story and video @ ThePittsburghChannel.com.

October 16, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Murtha Statement on Comments made about Western Pennsylvania Yesterday

JOHNSTOWN, PA — Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, was quoted yesterday in remarks made at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (www.post-gazette.com ) and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (www.pittsburghlive.com). He issued the following statement today: “I apologize for making the comment that ‘Western Pennsylvania is a racist area.’

“While we cannot deny that race is a factor in this election, I believe we’ve been able to look beyond race these past few months, and that voters today are concerned with the policy differences of our two candidates and their vision for the future of our great country.

“Senator Obama has shown sound judgment and has presented us with a change from the failed policies of George Bush and John McCain. I believe he will win both Pennsylvania and the White House.”

Umm Congressman, as long as you’re in an apologizing mood how about an apology for the Marines you smeared?

H/T: Kathryn Jean Lopez via Hot Air.