WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The combination of a distinguished military career and an ability to deliver federal dollars to his western Pennsylvania district is shielding Democratic Rep. John Murtha from criticism back home over his recent assessment of the Iraq War.Even a Republican official in Murtha's district acknowledged Monday that Murtha would easily win re-election next year."I think Jack is a good guy," said Robert Gleason, chairman of the Cambria County Republican Committee. "He has helped our community. He has been the king of appropriations. He has gotten a lot of great things here. This town would be a ghost town without him."Since his arrival in Congress more than 30 years ago, Murtha has helped blunt the loss of the steel industry by pumping federal dollars into his district as a powerful member of the House Appropriations Committee. He has also been a hawk on military matters, reflecting the strong patriotic nature of this southwestern corner of the state.That changed last week when Murtha called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq over a six-month period. Murtha's comments initially drew a strong rebuke from the White House with Bush spokesman Scott McClellan linking Murtha to liberal filmmaker Michael Moore. And some of his GOP colleagues suggested Murtha was advocating a "cut and run" policy in Iraq. His Republican critics have since curbed their criticism of the veteran congressman.Vice President Dick Cheney even described Murtha on Monday as "my friend and former colleague" during a speech defending the administration's policy on Iraq."I disagree with Jack and believe his proposal would not serve the best interest of this nation," Cheney said at the American Enterprise Institute. "But he's a good man, a Marine, a patriot, and he's taking a clear stand in an entirely legitimate discussion."Ray Wrabley, a political science professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, said Murtha is held in high regard by Democrats and Republicans in his district."This is a constituency that is fairly pro-military and patriotic, that hangs flags up and down the street on Veterans Day and the Fourth of July, but also one that Congressman Murtha is respected," Wrabley said. "He will have his critics, but a lot of the constituents will support him even if they don't go as far as taking the same opinion he took."Chip Minemyer, editor of The Tribune-Democrat, said reaction from readers so far weighs in favor of Murtha's position."He is pretty well respected by his constituents, even folks in the Republican Party here," said Minemyer, of the Johnstown paper. "So, people are naturally willing to give him the benefit of the doubt."Gleason concurred that it would be hard to find a person willing to openly criticize Murtha, but he added not everyone is happy with his comments. "To a man, the (people) I have spoken too are pretty upset about it," Gleason said.That being said, Gleason added that people would not criticize Murtha publicly. "He is powerful," Gleason said. "He has been around for a long time. They are absolutely not going to do it."Gleason noted he has already spoken to a couple of Republicans interested in running against Murtha in 2006, but he added the Pennsylvania Democrats' comments on Iraq ultimately "won't hurt him politically."A Washington GOP strategist agreed that it would be next to impossible to defeat Murtha next year."This is a very difficult district for Republicans to get," said the strategist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity so as not to anger Republican leaders.