How did U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown), seemingly in the fight of his political life, manage to cruise to what was another Murtha-like margin over Republican Bill Russell in the 12th Congressional District?

He convinced voters that pork is king, according to Jeff Coleman, a consultant with the Russell campaign and GOP strategist in Harrisburg.

"Murtha won the argument," Coleman told PolitickerPA.com. "And the argument was that the only game in town economically are his deliveries. And that is an insurmountable mountain for any candidate no matter how decorated or credentialed they were."

Murtha won 58 percent of the vote, or roughly 40,000 more votes than Russell.

Coleman said the margin wasn't a surprise, although the attention the campaign received the last few weeks was. He also said he thought Murtha's attacks on Russell, which came fast furious the last week of the campaign, made a significant dent in the Republican's campaign.

The 34-year incumbent's comments about western Pennsylvania weren't nearly enough of a reason for voters to remove him from office, Coleman said.

"The earmarks-are-good argument overcame the reckless series of comments by an older congressman."