CNN Covers, ‘Big 3' Networks Ignore Murtha ‘Surge is Working’ Story

The "Big Three" networks’ morning shows all ignored Representative John Murtha’s "the surge [in Iraq] is working" comments during a recent video conference. On the other hand, CNN’s "American Morning," during its 6 am Eastern hour "Political Ticker" segment, covered the Pennsylvania Congressman’s apparent shift in opinion.

Murtha, who became a bit of a media darling for his anti-Iraq war stance, recently came back from a trip to Iraq. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette quoted Murtha as saying, "I think the 'surge' is working." Murtha then went on to say that the Iraqis "have got to take care of themselves."

CNN’s John Roberts made the following brief on Murtha’s shift in opinion 43 minutes into the 6 am hour Eastern hour of "American Morning."

ROBERTS: First, he was a hawk, then he was a dove. But now, Democratic congressman John Murtha has changed his mind again apparently. He's just back from Iraq and says the troop build-up there, the so-called surge, is working. His criticism of the war was a driving force for Democrats opposing President Bush.

As recently as July, Murtha, during an interview with Roberts himself on "American Morning," had dismissed the improving situation in Iraq due to the surge. "It's rhetorical is what is getting better. It's over-optimist. It's an illusion."