HAMPTON, N.H. (AP) – Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha said Sunday he doesn’t mind being the focal point of controversy over America’s involvement in Iraq as he calls for the prompt withdrawal of U.S. soldiers there.

“I’m doing this for the troops because I think they’ve done everything they can and I’m doing this for the future of the military,” he said.

Varied opinions among local Democrats about how best to get out of Iraq didn’t stop them from giving the decorated veteran of Korea and Vietnam a standing ovation after he spoke.

“It’s a civil war and our troops are caught in between,” he said.

Murtha argued the conflict in Iraq is draining military resources and leaving America unprepared if action is needed elsewhere, like Iran or North Korea.

“They have to settle their own civil war,” he said of the Iraqis. “This can only be done diplomatically. There are some wars that can’t be won militarily.”

The presence of American forces, instead of bringing stability to Iraq, is feeding the insurgency, he said.

Not all local Democrats side with Murtha’s call for a deadline to withdraw, including state Rep. Jim Craig who is running for Congress in the 1st Congressional District.

Two of his Democratic opponents, Gary Dodds and Carol Shea-Porter, say their views are in line with Murtha’s -troops should be removed from Iraq now and positioned elsewhere.

But party leaders weren’t concerned that Murtha’s presence served to highlight divisions within the party on Iraq.

“He has a strong opinion. We need to hear it,” Craig said.

Portsmouth state Rep. Terie Norelli, who is assistant Democratic Leader in the House, said “at least we are having this conversation.”

“Republicans don’t want to have the conversation,” she said.

Murtha said he tried to work quietly behind the scenes before he went public with his views, which have drawn sharp criticism from some leading Republicans.

“I go by Arlington Cemetery every day and it’s doesn’t say Democrat or Republican on those tombstones,” he said.