The Swine Line

Mention of the Murtha defense lobbyist dinner protest last night as well as Murtha’s Porker of the Year award on FOX News’ Brit Hume Political Grapevine.  Watch here (about 45 sec. in).

Playing Defense

Three taxpayer advocacy groups plan to protest outside Congressman John Murtha’s annual fundraising event tonight for defense industry lobbyists who have benefited — or hope to benefit — from millions of dollars worth of earmarks. Robert Novak calls the event Murtha’s “annual payback dinner by defense contractors.” Tickets for the Pennsylvania Democrat’s dinner go for $1,500 for individuals and 5,000 for political action committees.

Murtha has $115 million worth of earmarks in the 2008 Defense Appropriations bill. He was recently voted the 2007 “Porker of the Year” by Citizens Against Government Waste — for his total of $150 million in earmarks in the 2008 budget.