Murtha calls for immediate redeployment of US troops from Iraq

CNN just carried live a speech by Congressman John Murtha, a conservative Democrat from Pennsylvania, who is calling for immediate redeployment of US troops from Iraq. He is widely viewed as the the top Democratic hawk in the House and his word carries enormous weight on these issues. Murtha said that the Iraq war is a failure and "it's time for a change of direction." AP has an article on the Murtha speech now, too.

Murtha thinks Iraq must take over for themselves "but the presence of US troops in Iraq is impeding this progress." His message is that "We have become a catalyst for violence." He also maintained that the Bush team does not want input and will not accept constructive criticism, unlike Bush 41.

Murtha said, "I believe we need to turn Iraq over to Iraqis." He wants the US to tell the Iraqis we will order the immediate redeployment of US troops. And he kept insisting that it had to be immediate.

This speech should mark a turning point for the debate on the Iraq war for the Democratic Party and the Congress.