After reading this article in today’s OpinionJournal, the thought struck me that the Murtha’s just getting his return on investment, and this isn’t what you’d call novel behavior on his part:

The 54-minute Abscam tape shows Mr. Murtha functioning as a cynical backroom operator, telling the FBI undercover agents: “You know, you made an offer. It might be that I might change my mind someday.” Later, he explained how that might happen: “I want to deal with you guys awhile before I make any transactions at all, period,” he told the fake sheiks. “After we’ve done some business, well, then I might change my mind. I’m going to tell you this. If anybody can do it–I am not BSing you fellows–I can get it done my way. There’s no question about it.”

Pelosi needed a congressman who was a decorated veteran on-point against Bush’s Iraq policy. Murtha has named his price and he’s collecting his fee. Simple, really.But I admit I agree with the main thrust of Wolverine’s comment (if not with the racialist rationale): The Republicans really are in the process of priving they’re too stupid to pour urine out of footwear, and it’s going to take at least one more cycle for them to start wondering what that squishy feeling is all about.