After retiring from the military, Russell joins his own campaign
By Alex Roarty, PolitickerPA.com ReporterUNIONTOWN -- Bill Russell knows how to make an entrance.
Now can he do the seemingly impossible?
Just past midnight Friday, the Republican congressional candidate literally roared into his first campaign event in three months, driving his motorcycle into the center of Uniontown with the help of the military veterans biker group "Rolling Thunder."
After shaking hands with many of the 40 supporters gathered to greet him, Russell wasted little time taking aim at his opponent, U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown). In a prepared 15-minute speech, the candidate said Murtha's 30-year tenure in Washington had warped his values and put him "out of touch" with the 12th Congressional District.
"Americans throughout this district, and indeed throughout this nation, have joined me in saying that we want our country back from career Washington politicians who have lost touch with people back home," Russell said. "Liberty was born in Pennsylvania. Let us join together and give it a rebirth, today."
Russell still faces a Herculean task to defeat a political institution like Murtha, but Friday's event was his first attempt to capitalize in person on a campaign that has already received more national attention and fundraising dollars than anybody expected.
Russell has had an unusual campaign -- the former Lt. Colonel has not been a part of his own campaign the past 90 days while on active duty in the U.S. Army. Military rules forbid personnel from participating in any kind of politics.
After officially retiring Thursday in Washington, D.C., Russell did not and will not waste any time returning to the campaign that has been run exclusively by Campaign Manager Peg Luksik in his absence. After his midnight event here, Russell was scheduled to appear on a talk radio show at 7:30 a.m. before taking part in a full-day of campaigning.
"I told him, 'You better have slept before you got here,'" Luksik said.
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follow the money
WOW I wonder how much of the money came from the district? Then to say Murtha is out of touch with his district shows how this opportunist is so really out of touch. Congressman Murtha can be called many things but out of touch is not one of them. What were the fund raising expenses? Only 40 folks showed up? Not a good beginning. From the look of this campaign, it is more about raising money than winning.
What Russell Is Hiding
What the William Russell for Congress campaign doesn't want you to know. MoveOnRussell.org will uncover what Russell has been hiding and reveal what his campaign really is: Russell has been running an off-the-books campaign.
Murtha Ignores The Constitution When Politically Convenient
On May 17,2006, I realized how morally bankrupt John Murtha was. That's the day he accused true American heroes of "killing innnocent civilians in cold blood." He was refering to the Haditha Marines.Of the 8 charged, Gen. Mattis ruled against a court martial in 5 instances. In another case, the Haditha Marine was acquitted. The case against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani is alive only on life support.
When Rep. Murtha made the accusations, the press asked where he'd gotten his information from. Here's Rep. Murtha's response:
Asked about his sources during a midday briefing on Iraq policy in the Capitol, Murtha confidently replied, “All the information I get, it comes from the commanders, it comes from people who know what they’re talking about.”
That was later changed to say that he'd been briefed by Gen. Hagee. Hagee's office refuted that statement, saying that he didn't brief Rep. Murtha until a week after Murtha first made those accusations. OOPS.
Rep. Murtha violated these Marines' due process rights. He presumed their guilt before the investigation had been finished. In short, he threw the Constitution's protections out the window because he wanted to be House Majority Leader.
Thinking about Rep. Murtha's treachery makes my blood boil. It's time for Murtha to be involuntarily retired.
To replace Murtha with
To replace Murtha with someone that is unscrupolos is the wrong direction for the 12th Congressional District to go. The FEC complaint against Russell has already proven that he will violate the law in order to gain an advantage in this election.
campaign donations and support
I live in ALLEGHENY COUNTY. I am a member of a local Republican committee that is supporting Bill Russell. There are people like myself, my fellow committee members, and ordinary people across the COUNTRY, that are disqusted with the way John Murpha has treated our Marines; and are willing to support the effort to "BOOT Murpha", with both time and money. My son is a Johnstown Marine reservist who is activated and headed for Jhabuti, Africa in Sept 08. These Marines deserve a congressman who will support them and be proud of them. I cringe every time I drive to the Johnstown reserve center and pass the airport with John Murpha's name on it. He should be ashamed of the way he condemned the Haditha Marines, and I will personally do my part to see that he is NOT reelected. The king of pork must be replaced; and I hope that the people of his district will agree. Get out there and support Bill Russell!
Army Investigation of Russell's Political Activities
To get information on the Army's 15-6 investigation into Russell's political activities as an Army reservists and while on active-duty at the Pentagon, contact Scott Ferguson, Public Affairs Officer at Office Chief Army Reserve (404)464-9470, Ft McPherson, Al.
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