Not that it was considered possible. Not this year. However, we could be close to removing Okinawa Jack Murtha’s arrogant, corrupt mug from the United States Congress. This one is happening mostly under the radar, but, though considered unthinkable by bitter, partisan Dems, it is happening.

Jack Murtha has represented Pennsylvania’s 12th CD for sixteen undistinguished terms in which he has seemingly done nothing but engage in corruption, slander our troops, and bring home tons ‘o pork. This year, he faces a tough election bit against very recently retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Bill Russell, and the latest Susquehanna Polling surveyas reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Salena Zito, has Murtha leading Col. Russell by only 4 points with a 4.9 point MOE.

About 54 percent of voters among those polled say it’s time for someone else to represent them in Congress. About 35 percent say Murtha deserves to be re-elected.

“The most important variable here is that a decisive majority say it’s time for a new person,” said Jim Lee, president of Susquehanna Polling and Research. He attributed some of the unhappiness with Murtha to the congressman’s recent comments.

It’s tough to know how big a factor that is, though, because little attention had been paid to the race, Lee said. Political analysts didn’t expect Murtha to be vulnerable.

Okinawa Jack was unopposed in 2004. He defeated Washington County commissioner Diane Irey (remember her?) by twenty points last election. This time, he seems to have been unprepared. Or Lazy.

Russell has raised a lot of money for a first-time candidate — $2.5 million, compared to $2.1 million raised by Murtha, according to Federal Election Commission reports through Sept. 30. On Oct. 1, the Murtha campaign had $590,995, and Russell showed $333,413 in the bank.

Mutha must go. Donate to Col. Russell as his web site, the Russell Brigade.