Inbred Party Bosses Pick Critz

Dan Hirschhorn's PA 2010 reports this breaking news signaling more of the same from the late John Murtha's congressional district:
Longtime John Murtha staffer Mark Critz on Monday won the Democratic Party’s nomination for a special election to finish out the late congressman’s term, as the party opted for a relatively untested candidate in a high-profile race, but one who knows the western Pennsylvania district in and out.
Details of the vote began to emerge Monday evening, after the state party’s executive committee had polled its members during the day. Multiple Democratic sources confirmed that Critz won 30 votes, compared to 18 for Barbara Hafer and one for Ryan Bucchianeri.
“For years I’ve been working hard to help bring jobs and economic development to our communities,” Critz said in a statement. “While I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, more needs to be done so that we can get folks back to work and get our economy back on track. In Congress I’ll continue the fight to bring jobs and economic development to western Pennsylvania because nothing is more important right now.
“I’m honored to have the State Committee’s endorsement,” he added. “Today, I pledge to all western Pennsylvanians that I’ll work tirelessly to earn their support so that we can come together and get to work bringing jobs to our communities and getting our economy back on track.”
The vote came two days after local Democratic insiders in the 12th Congressional District gave their support to Critz in a non-binding vote. Hafer’s campaign had worked hard to paint him as unelectable, raising questions about past business associations and ethics inquiries. While those attacks served to alienate Hafer from Murtha loyalists on the ground, they also sparked serious concern about Critz’s electability, fears that surely remain in play. The other candidates have said they’ll remain in the May primary, which will be held on the same day as the special election.

Apology? From Who? When?

From Michael Steele, Chair of the Republican National Committee:
In another stunning example of hypocrisy, congressional Democrats are wasting taxpayers’ time and resources on a legislative measure to censure Congressman Joe Wilson so they don’t have to talk about their exceedingly unpopular health care plan.
Without question, Joe Wilson made a terrible error in judgment and has wasted no time in extending a personal apology to the president. The president has accepted his apology.
If we are going to march Members down to the well of the house to apologize, Joe Wilson is going to have to get in line behind Nancy Pelosi, who attacked the intelligence community who protects us, Charlie Rangel who cheated on his taxes, Jack Murtha – a walking scandal, and we all know how the Democratic leadership tried to protect William Jefferson.
Democrats don’t want an apology.
They want a side show – something to shift the focus away from their government-run experiment on health care.”

Murtha Challengers Abound

From Timothy McNulty at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
A Navy veteran with a Harvard University degree plans to challenge U.S. Rep. John Murtha for the Democratic nomination for the 12th District congressional seat next year.
Ryan Bucchianeri, 34, of Monongahela, announced plans Tuesday to run against the 35-year incumbent, stressing that his Navy service, experience in private industry and youthful perspective would better serve voters in Pennsylvania's southwest corner.
Mr. Murtha, 77, of Johnstown, has been battered lately on the propriety of federal spending he has steered toward the district, using his powerful position as chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on military spending.
Two Republicans, William Russell and Tim Burns, are already vying to run against him next year. It would be the first run for political office for Mr. Bucchianeri, who switched his party registration from independent to Democrat this year.
"I'm running for Congress to further my lifelong commitment to public service and responsibly address the unprecedented policy challenges we face today, here and abroad," he said Tuesday.