WASHINGTON, (AP) -- President Bush is using a visit to Philadelphia, birthplace of the U.S. Constitution, as a reminder before the Iraqi elections that the path to American democracy was not always easy either.
Pennsylvania also is the home state of a leading Iraq war critic, Democratic Rep. John Murtha, who planned to speak on Bush's heels and repeat his call to bring the troops home from a fight he says has become too violent and out of control.
Murtha, a hawkish former Marine, has galvanized war critics and been an outspoken counterpoint to Bush's portrayal of success in Iraq. Since Murtha first called for troop withdrawal last month, the president has talked more openly about difficulties in Iraq in a series of speeches leading up to Thursday's election.
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Murtha's aides said he committed weeks ago to be in Philadelphia on Monday for a reception with the Chamber of Commerce. But after Bush scheduled the speech in his home state, Murtha added another event — a news conference to respond to the president.
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