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Breaking: Rep. John Murtha passes away

Posted by: ST on February 8, 2010 at 3:54 pm

Via WJAC:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A spokesman said Democratic Rep. John P. Murtha died Monday at 1:18 p.m. at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va.

Murtha had been suffering complications from gallbladder surgery. At his bedside was his family.

Murtha, 77, was chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

The 19-term Democrat was the first Vietnam veteran to serve in Congress. He most recently led the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense spending.

Murtha was a representative for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District since 1974. This past Saturday, Murtha became Pennsylvania’s longest serving member of Congress.

Murtha was a retired Marine Corps officer and the first combat veteran of the Vietnam War elected to Congress.

The AP, surprisingly, has a pretty detailed description of Murtha’s political life in Congress, including his ethical scandals, unfair Haditha accusations and the fact that he was a master ‘bring home the bacon’ politico for his state. WaPo’s The Fix blog has a write-up on what will happen with Murtha’s seat going forward:

According to state law, the governor has ten days once the vacancy is officially declared to decide on the date for the special election, which can come no sooner than 60 days following that proclamation.

That likely means the special election will be held on May 18, which is the date already set for federal primaries around the state. (Special elections costs the state huge sums of money and it’s likely that Gov. Ed Rendell will choose to go with an already established election day to save some cash.)

I’ll reserve any political commentary I have about Murtha for another day. May he RIP, and his family and friends find comfort and peace in their memories of him.

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11 Responses to “Breaking: Rep. John Murtha passes away”

Comments

  1. Lorica says:
    February 8, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    Good bye, and good luck in the after life. – Lorica

  2. Mike says:
    February 8, 2010 at 4:52 pm

    Can we close his personal airport now?

    I wonder what Saint Peter’s position is on earmarks?

    Good Luck Indeed!

  3. Kate says:
    February 8, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    This caught me by surprise. Since I live in PA, I hadn’t heard of his health issues. I, too, send condolences to the family.

    It will be interesting to see who comes foward to run. Hopefully, there are some teaparty reformists in that region who will run on a platform of reform. (I know it wont’ come from the democractic party here in PA.)

  4. Dennis D says:
    February 8, 2010 at 5:07 pm

    Some people will do anything to avoid PRISON:d

  5. Severian says:
    February 8, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    Semper Infidelis…/:)

  6. Tex says:
    February 8, 2010 at 6:52 pm

    Well, in spite of the fact that I did not agree with him politically, and he seemed to be constantly embroiled in political scandals, I have to respect him for his 37 year long military service to this nation as a Marine. Hopefully, in God’s eyes, that will be more than enough to overcome any negatives he had.

  7. NC Cop says:
    February 8, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    I don’t know how the good Congressman avoided prison all these years but, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time.

  8. Carlos says:
    February 8, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    I mourn his soul and send condolences to his family. That said, I hope the good folks of his district will send to Congress someone who isn’t a liar, cheat and thief. It would be a welcome change for the rest of the country.

  9. Bachbone says:
    February 9, 2010 at 3:10 am

    R.I.P, Mr. Murtha. Thank you for your service to the nation.

  10. Lorica says:
    February 9, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Semper Infidelis Sev??? My ohhh myyyyy!! – Lorica

  11. Chris in NC says:
    February 10, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    For his family, I feel sorrow for, and offer my condolences.

    However, for the Haditha Marines he slandered, and for the veterans of the Long War he defamed, and for the honor of the Corps; good riddance.

    May the world forget he ever claimed the title United States Marine.