Many constituents side with Murtha in opposition to war---KR Washington Bureau | 11/19/2005 |

KR Washington Bureau | 11/19/2005 | Many constituents side with Murtha in opposition to war:

"But mostly people in Murtha's blue-collar, coal-and-steel country district in west Pennsylvania signaled weariness for the war. They endorse the man who has represented them since he became the first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress in 1974.

The support suggested that attacks on Murtha in Washington as a coward will gain no traction in his district. His continued political strength in the face of vicious Republican attacks could potentially embolden others to speak out against the war, though it's too early to know for sure.

............................

'I agree with him wholeheartedly,' said Robert Bender, a World War II veteran and retired steel worker who serves as the adjutant of American Legion Post 294. 'We shouldn't have been involved in the first place. Now that they have a Constitution, we should get out.'

The blue-collar Democrats who live and work in the small towns of Murtha's district are culturally conservative. Like him, they're pro-gun and pro-life. And like him, they're proudly patriotic.

Except for a few Pittsburgh Steelers posters, the Legion Hall's dark-paneled walls are a billboard of support for the U.S. military. 'Operation Desert Storm, U.S. military at its finest,' says one poster. '9-11-01. We will never forget,' says another.

'It's a conservative area. But we don't support this particular war,' said Bender. 'Most of the people around here are in accord with him on this,' he added.

In Washington, some Republicans attacked Murtha. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said Murtha and his party 'want us to wave the white flag of surrender to the terrorists of the world.' Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, quoted a constituent who 'asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message, that cowards cut and run, Marines never do.' Under fire, she later apologized for the remarks.

Her words didn't sit well in the Legion bar.

'We're proud of him. We don't like it when people attack him,' said Barry Sirko of Johnstown, sipping a beer after his shift washing buses.

'We've lost more than 2000 troops so far. Murtha thinks the Iraqis should be fighting on their own. Murtha's right. It's gone on and on and on. They're all nuts over there and we should get out.'"