The Democrat reign of corruption in the House

Robert Novak:

Republicans returning to the House floor on Friday morning Aug. 3 after their walkout the night before were surprised to find as presiding officer the Democrat they call "King Corruption": Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, master of earmarks and backroom deals.

Rep. Ed Pastor, a 64-year-old eight-term Democrat from Phoenix, Ariz., who is affable and well-liked by Republicans, had been scheduled to preside. But Speaker Nancy Pelosi, fearing parliamentary tricks by Republicans, put her muscleman Murtha in the chair.

Murtha's performance as non-partisan presiding officer ran true to form. On a voice vote, Murtha ruled for Democrats when obviously more Republicans were on the House floor. He subsequently ordered a roll call vote, though members rising in support clearly fell short of the 44 required. After that ruling was challenged, Murtha declared: "The chair's decision is not subject to question."

...

Murtha is a disgrace and an embarrassment to be hidden, not put into a position of responsibility. Perhaps if Republicans could have peppered him with questions about his bogus charges of "cold blooded murder" at Haditha he would have returned to his fox hole. He has been dodging questions about that subject for weeks since hearing began showing that at least some of the Marines charged were clearly not guilty. Novak gives just one more example of his lack of integrity.