The thought of victory is too frightening for Jack Murtha to contemplate.

A day after admitting to reporters that "the surge is working," Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., one of the most ardent critics of President Bush's war policy, issued a statement Friday softening that assessment, this time calling it "a window of opportunity."

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"The military surge has created a window of opportunity for the Iraqi government," Murtha's statement read. "Unfortunately, the sacrifice of our troops has not been met by the Iraqi government and they have failed to capitalize on the political and diplomatic steps that the surge was designed to provide.

"The fact remains that the war in Iraq cannot be won militarily, and that we must begin an orderly redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq as soon as practicable."

I wonder why the change? This could explain it (H/T Captain Ed).

But Pelosi, who is scheduled to speak to a Democratic National Committee event in Virginia on Friday, will surely face tough questions from reporters regarding Murtha's statement on the surge.

"This could be a real headache for us," said one top House Democratic aide, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "Pelosi is going to be furious."

Translation – Murtha put Party ahead of Country on this one.

So let’s see – he was for victory before he was against victory before he was for victory and is now firmly against victory.

I guess that make Murtha America’s biggest loser.