Murtha smear getting poor media traction

This is not what the Bushies likely hoped for with their White House-coordinated smear of Jack Murtha. The most credible news outlets, while taking the hook, appear to be leaving the line and the sinker alone.

The Washington Post covers the swift-boating of Congressman Murtha in horse race fashion. The story strikes a less-than-credulous media analysis tone.

In a tactic reminiscent of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth assault on Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) during the 2004 presidential campaign, a conservative Web site yesterday quoted Murtha opponents as questioning the circumstances surrounding the awarding of his two Purple Hearts.

David Thibault, editor in chief of the Cybercast News Service, said the issue of Murtha's medals from 1967 is relevant now "because the congressman has really put himself in the forefront of the antiwar movement." Thibault said: "He has been placed by the Democratic Party and antiwar activists as a spokesman against the war above reproach."

Cindy Abram, a spokeswoman for Murtha, said, "We certainly believe that the questions being raised are an attempt to distract attention from what's happening in Iraq." As for how Murtha won the Purple Hearts, she said: "We think the congressman's record is clear. We have the documentation, the paperwork that proves that he earned them, and that he is entitled to wear them proudly."

Cybercast is part of the conservative Media Research Center, run by L. Brent Bozell III, who accused some in the media of ignoring the Swift Boat charges, but Thibault said it operates independently. He said the unit, formerly called the Conservative News Service, averages 110,000 readers, mainly conservative, and provides material for other Web sites such as GOPUSA. "We won't run anything against anybody if we don't have the goods," he said.

UPI takes a similar approach to that of the WaPo.

A conservative news agency says that Rep. John Murtha has been dishonest about the way he earned his Purple Hearts in Vietnam.

The attacks are similar to those made on Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., during the 2004 presidential race.

Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat who also served in the Korean Conflict, recently criticized the Bush administration's Iraq policy.

So far, the charges against Murtha appear to be taken at face value on only the most conspicuously right-wing outlets. One of them doesn't bother to conceal its disgust at the skeptical tone of the coverage.

... the mainstream news media decided to help Murtha thwart a news story that was developing on the internet. Murtha, a decorated Marine veteran who is an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq, has become the latest Democrat to have his Vietnam War decorations questioned. And this time it's fellow Democrats who are questioning Murtha's Purple Hearts and medals.

Here's how the Houston Chronicle opens their story on this latest medals flap:

"In a tactic reminiscent of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth assault on Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., during the 2004 presidential campaign, a conservative Web site [Cybercast News Service] on Friday quoted Murtha opponents as questioning the circumstances surrounding the awarding of his two Purple Hearts."

So far, so good, I would have to say.