Murtha debates election outcome
Democratic U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, a super delegate, said he is surprised at how close the battle is for his party’s presidential nomination. “I’m surprised at the closeness,” Murtha said in a videoconference with reporters this week.
He said he assumed New York Sen. Hillary Clinton would have been way ahead in the race by now, but Illinois Sen. Barack Obama has done “a hell of a job.”
Obama’s “charisma is inspiring young voters,” said Murtha, D-Johnstown.
Winning the Wisconsin primary and Hawaii caucuses on Tuesday gave Obama 10 consecutive victories and a lead over Clinton as they prepare for primaries in Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont on March 4.
The four states have a combined 370 pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colo., in August. Pennsylvania’s primary is April 22.
In the race for the Republican nomination, Arizona Sen. John McCain has a commanding lead over former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Pledged delegates are elected at the state level with the understanding they will vote for a certain candidate, but are not required to vote for that candidate.
Super delegates are high-ranking party members, such as members of Congress, governors and national party leaders, who are not obligated to vote for the candidate who wins their state.
Murtha said he would consider his constituents’ opinions when he decides whom he will support.
He said his decision to run for his 18th two-year term representing the 12th Congressional District was an easy one.
“I love this job,” Murtha, 75, said. “I love to be in a position to influence events.”
He said he would continue running for the office he has held since 1974, as long he believes he would win and he remains healthy.
“They’re going to have to carry me out,” Murtha said.
His only challenger in this year’s election, William Russell, a Republican from Johnstown, is facing a challenge to his petition to enter the primary.
Two Johnstown Republicans filed the challenge in Commonwealth Court claiming Russell’s petition to appear on the ballot contains too many invalid signatures.
Murtha’s campaign committee, which supports the challenge, said the petition appears to have more than 180 invalid signatures and signatures from voters not registered in the 12th Congressional District.
A candidate’s petition must have 1,000 signatures from registered party voters to enter the primary.
This month Murtha surpassed his mentor, former Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, in length of service in the House. O’Neill served 34 years and eight days.
Murtha has served 34 years and 16 days.
Of the nearly 10,000 men and women who have served in the House since 1789, only 90 have served longer than Murtha.
Murtha is currently the ninth most senior member of the 435-member House and the 16th most senior member of Congress, including the 100-member Senate.