Louise Slaughter: “the speed with which the majority has sought to challenge the frank and honest appraisal of the war in Iraq offered…”

“the speed with which the majority has sought to challenge the frank and honest appraisal of the war in Iraq offered yesterday by my friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha), proves that what he said resonated with the American people. Over 60 percent of our Nation no longer believes that we are headed in the right direction in Iraq. When Mr. Murtha spoke yesterday, he spoke for the majority of our country. Concerns such as those voiced by Mr. Murtha are not a sign of weakness, nor are they the product of a failure of resolve or willingness to cower before adversity as many administration apologists have suggested. Rather, they follow from a logical assessment of one of the most respected military affairs in international relations experts that we have in all of these United States, and that is exactly what has this congressional leadership and this White House so concerned. That is why they have gone out of their way in the last 24 hours to attack the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha). It amounts to nothing more than another swift boat attack on an American hero. After all, attacking those who have the temerity to challenge this White House is what Republicans in Congress do best. But they have chosen a formidable target in Jack Murtha. Unlike our President, our Vice President, our Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State or the vast, vast majority of the Members in this House, Jack Murtha knows combat.…”