Shame.

Dana Milbank's lede, my emphasis…

In his 37 years in the military, John Murtha won two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star with a Combat "V," and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. As a Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania for the past 31 years, he has been a fierce hawk, championing conflicts in Central America and the Persian Gulf.

Yesterday, he was called a coward.

I don't expect folks like Norm Dicks and Ike Skelton to endorse Murtha's call for immediate withdrawal, at least not without catching their breath and collecting their thoughts. He's set a bold course, one some aren't ready to join him on. It's critical, though, that his colleagues and rank and file Democrats everywhere call bullshit on any attempt by the Republican noise machine to 'swift boat' another American hero. None of his critics, not a single one, has the moral authority to dismiss Murtha's views.

As for those who would assault his patriotism or character, no mercy.