Pelosi And Dems Rush Funds To Murtha’s Self-Inflicted-Wound Campaign
Democratic Leaders Ride to the Rescue of Murtha
By Emily Cadei - (Yahoo)
Rep. John P. Murtha is cashing in on his extensive network of House connections to help fend off a surging Republican challenge for his 12th District seat in Pennsylvania. The 17-term incumbent has raised more than $170,000 since Monday, a large slice of it from his Democratic colleagues.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California kicked in $7,000 from her campaign and political action committees, as did Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois and Rep. James P. Moran of Virginia, a fellow member of the House Appropriations Committee.
Murtha’s seat was considered safe until he made comments earlier this month referring to his home region as “racist.” The widely publicized statement drew attention and support to his well-funded GOP challenger, William Russell, and led the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee to jump into the race, pledging $84,000 in coordinated spending. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee responded yesterday with $2,400 to help pay for phone banks.
As of Oct. 15, Russell had out-raised Murtha by $700,000, but Murtha still had an edge in cash on hand — $503,000 to $194,000. Russell has not reported any contributions since then, while Murtha has hauled in a total of $215,000, including contributions this week from Pelosi and other Democratic lawmakers.
Federal election law requires candidates to file reports within 48 hours of receiving donations of $1,000 or more in the weeks leading up to the general election..
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