November 2005
Murtha's Mission
"The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion. The American public is way ahead of us. The United States and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq, but it is time for a change in direction."
—Congressman John Murtha
On November 17, Representative John Murtha (D-PA), a former marine, announces his decision to introduce a resolution calling for the immediate redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq. The resolution would create a rapid reaction force leaving military assets in a position to respond to threats in the region. Murtha, once a supporter of the war, argues that such a move would force Iraqis to take security matters into their own hands—something they will not do as long the U.S. commitment is open-ended. A year later, Murtha's vocal opposition to the war strategy is widely credited for helping the Democrats regain control of congress in the midterm elections.