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John Murtha, War Critic, Backs Clinton

Congressman says Hillary has 'similar position' on Iraq

By Laurel Jorgensen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 19, 2008 3:30 AM CDT
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(Newser) – John Murtha, the Pennsylvania congressman who has become a leading critic of the Iraq war, is endorsing Hillary Clinton for president, CQ Politics reports. “I know that Senator Clinton has a similar position that I have in regards to the war in Iraq,” Murtha said. While both he and Clinton voted to authorize the use of military force, Murtha publicly denounced the Iraq war in a noted 2005 speech.

Murtha became the first Vietnam veteran elected to Congress in 1974, and he now chairs the powerful appropriations subcommittee which oversees defense spending. His endorsement makes him one of the few close allies of Nancy Pelosi, the speaker, to endorse Clinton; most of her inner circle has backed Barack Obama. Murtha, like all Democratic members of Congress, is also a superdelegate.

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., greets supporters at a campaign rally in Millersville, Pa., Tuesday, March 18, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., greets supporters at a campaign rally in Millersville, Pa., Tuesday, March 18, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, (D-Pa), has endorsed Hillary Clinton in the presidential race.
U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, (D-Pa), has endorsed Hillary Clinton in the presidential race.   (AP Photo)
Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., speaks at the National Press Club in Washington in this Sep. 17, 2007 file photo.
Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., speaks at the National Press Club in Washington in this Sep. 17, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., arrives at a campaign rally in Millersville, Pa., Tuesday, March 18, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., arrives at a campaign rally in Millersville, Pa., Tuesday, March 18, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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