By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com

Tim Burns tried to get a jump-start last week on an early debate with his campaign opponent, U.S. Rep. John Murtha.

The 12^th District Republican candidate made an impromptu appearance in the longtime Democrats’ Capitol office Thursday after participating in an afternoon rally against the Democratic Party’s health care bill.

“I was hoping he might be there,” the candidate told PoliticsPA during a brief interview Monday. “I would like to have the opportunity to talk to him.”

But he didn’t get the chance. Murtha’s staff told Burns the congressman wasn’t in his office, so the candidate shook hands with the staff and left his card. Murtha’s staffers were very polite, the Republican said.

Burns didn’t get a chance to talk to Murtha on Thursday, but he might have the opportunity late next year, at least during a debate. The longtime 12^th District incumbent, facing questions over earmarks he delivered and derogatory comments he made about his constituents, isn’t as electorally invulnerable as he once was, though he remains a very formidable foe.

Burns said he hopes Murtha’s support of the health care bill Saturday night will help make his case he no longer should represent the districts. Burns’ stance on the bill is unequivocal.

“I believe the health care bill may be the single most damaging piece of legislation passed in U.S. history,” he said.

He said he’d prefer incremental health reform to the sweeping change proposed by President Barack Obama. Start with tort reform first, he said, and after that proposal passes, consider allowing people to buy health insurance across state lines.

Of course, Burns might end up not facing Murtha in the general election. He faces Republican Bill Russell in the primary, and the army veteran is very popular among area conservatives.  Russell has faced Murtha last year, losing by about 20 percentage points.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated Russell had run against Murtha before 2008. That was incorrect.

Tags: Murtha

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