Thomas Daschle: “earlier today I heard a particularly egregious comment made on the Senate floor that I cannot in good conscience allow…”

“earlier today I heard a particularly egregious comment made on the Senate floor that I cannot in good conscience allow to pass unchallenged. If there is one individual whose support for our troops and their effort I never thought would be subject to attack, it is John Murtha. I served with Representative Murtha in the House. I know full well the honorable service he has rendered to his country. And I know how hard he labors every day to promote the interests of our nation and its citizens--in particular our men and women in uniform. John joined the Marine Corps during the Korean War, and he later volunteered to serve in Vietnam. His public service continued back home when he became the first combat Vietnam veteran elected to Congress. John has been awarded both the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the USO's Spirit of Hope Award. As most know, Representative Murtha was a strong advocate for the Iraq war. And not too long ago, my Republican colleagues were praising him for his position. But now that he has raised reasonable questions about how the war has been handled by the Administration, he is being accused of aiding our enemies. There should be no room in our debate for such personal attacks. John McCain. Max Cleland. And now John Murtha. All of these men honorably served our country, and all have had their character impugned. John Murtha is an honorable man with a long history of public service.”