Democratic Congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania made a speech yesterday, calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq:

"Our troops have become the primary target of the insurgency," Murtha said in a Capitol news conference that left him in tears. Islamic insurgents "are united against U.S. forces, and we have become a catalyst for violence," he said. ". . . It's time to bring them home."

The MSM are treating this as big news, and ignoring the fact Murtha made similar comments well over a year ago, in May of 2004:

Signaling a new, more aggressive line against the Bush administration’s policy on Iraq, Rep. John Murtha (Pa.), the House Democrats’ most visible defense hawk, will join Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) today to make public his previously private statements that the conflict is “unwinnable.”

Some Democrats refuse to jump on the retreat bandwagon, at least for now:

Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), head of the House Democrats' campaign effort, said, "Jack Murtha went out and spoke for Jack Murtha." As for Iraq policy, Emanuel added: "At the right time, we will have a position."

What?!? The war in Iraq started in March of 2003, and the Democrats don't have a position yet? How about a position in favor of victory? Wouldn't that be helpful? And when is "the right time"? That sounds like someone who is looking at defining a position for maximum political effect, not primarily in the interests of U.S. foreign policy.

A great post from The Mudville Gazette, and some additional info about Murtha's "plan" from Wizbang. More from California Conservative and Michelle Malkin. Also linked at OTB.

Orwellian spin from the WaPo: "Withdrawal is Not Retreat". Right. Defeat is victory, war is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength, etc...