Gutsy move as it appears Steny might have the votes. Still, I would prefer Murtha to Hoyer because Steny is a little too slick and is a little too close to K Street and we need to pull Congress from that teat as best we can. __________ Pelosi Endorses Murtha as Next Majority Leader By Jonathan Weisman Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, November 13, 2006; A01 House Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) endorsed Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) yesterday as the next House majority leader, thereby stepping into a contentious intraparty fight between Murtha and her current deputy, Maryland's Steny H. Hoyer. The unexpected move signaled the sizable value Pelosi gives to personal loyalty and personality preferences. Hoyer competed with her in 2001 for the post of House minority whip, while Murtha managed her winning campaign. Pelosi has also all but decided she will not name the ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee, Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) to chair that panel next year, a decision pregnant with personal animus. Pelosi had been outspoken about her frustration with Murtha's declaration that he would challenge Hoyer, currently the House minority whip, for the majority leader post long before Democrats had secured the majority. Many believed she would remain on the sidelines, just as Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) did earlier this year when three Republicans vied for the post of House majority leader. But in her first real decision as the incoming speaker, Pelosi said she was swayed by Murtha's early stance for a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. Her letter of endorsement yesterday made clear that she sees Iraq as the central issue of the next Congress and that she believes a decorated Marine combat veteran at the helm of the House caucus would provide Democrats ammunition in their fight against congressional Republicans and President Bush on the issue. "I salute your courageous leadership that changed the national debate and helped make Iraq the central issue of this historic election. It was surely a dark day for the Bush Administration when you spoke truth to power," she wrote. "Your strong voice for national security, the war on terror and Iraq provides genuine leadership for our party, and I count on you to lead on these vital issues." Murtha responded, "I am deeply gratified to receive the support of Speaker Pelosi, a tireless advocate for change and a true leader for our Party and our country." Pelosi's decision could be a significant blow to Hoyer, who has worked for years to move up in the Democratic leadership. Political handicappers had regarded Hoyer to be the strong favorite when House Democrats meet Thursday to choose a majority leader for the 110th Congress. Although Murtha's stance on Iraq has made him a hero among many grass-roots party activists, his positions against abortion and gun control have pushed many House liberals into Hoyer's camp, including the leader of the Out of Iraq Caucus, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). Hoyer's camp counts 21 of the roughly 40 incoming freshman Democrats as committed supporters. Many freshmen believe the Democrats should stick with the team that brought them to the majority, said John Sarbanes, who was elected last week to represent central Maryland in the House. Hoyer also has the strong support of many of the party's conservative "Blue Dog" Democrats, who worry about Murtha's involvement in the Abscam bribery sting in 1980 and what they see as his freewheeling style on the House Appropriations Committee, where he has openly advocated for the interests of his district and his political supporters. Some of Hoyer's supporters put the best face on Pelosi's intervention, saying Murtha would not have asked for a public letter of support if his campaign were not in trouble. "I don't think it's significant," said Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.), a leading Blue Dog and Hoyer supporter. "Everyone already knew she was supporting Murtha. I don't think this will have much of an impact. Steny's going to win this fight." But Murtha has garnered the support of some influential Californians close to Pelosi, including Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), a liberal firebrand who will chair the House Education and the Workforce Committee. In a statement, Hoyer said he remains confident he has the votes. "Nancy told me some time ago that she would personally support Jack. I respect her decisions as the two are very close," he wrote. "I am grateful for the support I have from my colleagues, and have the majority of the caucus supporting me. I look forward to working with Speaker Pelosi as Majority Leader." Another potentially fractious vote in the House Democratic Caucus was settled late last week when Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), the outgoing chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, decided against running for House majority whip. Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the only African American in the House Democratic leadership, had already announced his candidacy. Emanuel instead will stand unopposed for the job Clyburn will vacate, House Democratic Caucus chairman. In his announcement, he appealed for party unity ahead of Thursday's leadership elections. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/12/AR2006111200762_pf.html
And so the foot-shooting by Nancy Pelosi begins -- only it's the Democratic Party that will suffer. Just my opinion.
I did. Did you read it all? For example: Pelosi has also all but decided she will not name the ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee, Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) to chair that panel next year, a decision pregnant with personal animus...... Pelosi's decision could be a significant blow to Hoyer, who has worked for years to move up in the Democratic leadership. Political handicappers had regarded Hoyer to be the strong favorite when House Democrats meet Thursday to choose a majority leader for the 110th Congress. Although Murtha's stance on Iraq has made him a hero among many grass-roots party activists, his positions against abortion and gun control have pushed many House liberals into Hoyer's camp, including the leader of the Out of Iraq Caucus, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). Hoyer's camp counts 21 of the roughly 40 incoming freshman Democrats as committed supporters. Many freshmen believe the Democrats should stick with the team that brought them to the majority, said John Sarbanes, who was elected last week to represent central Maryland in the House. Hoyer also has the strong support of many of the party's conservative "Blue Dog" Democrats, who worry about Murtha's involvement in the Abscam bribery sting in 1980 and what they see as his freewheeling style on the House Appropriations Committee, where he has openly advocated for the interests of his district and his political supporters.
the main reason the dems won this election is because of iraq. I don't think its because people want us to stay. the dems need to look at an agressive strategy of getting out. not to win the next election, but because that's what americans want.
Murtha got his name out there with the whole "remove the troops now" routine. Which is pretty dumb really IMHO. What else qualifies him as a dem leader except his tenure in the house and name recognition?
I like the outspoken Mr. Murtha. I hope he gets his bully pulpit. And I saw with interest that basso is moving from New York to Okinawa. Are you sure that's far enough for you, basso? Keep D&D. Civil.
Murtha would be good for the Democrats. The GOP will be trying like hell to try to say that they have a similar position on Iraq as the Democrats in 2008. There is no reason to expect that another 18 months will lead to much success there.McCain and the others will be trying to imply that they were always skeptical in many ways of Bush and his war. Murtha will help keep the record straight that the misguided Iraq fiasco was due to the Republicans and their subservience to Bush-- that the Democrats as a whole wanted us to end the mess sooner.
It looks like Pelosi is copying the Republican Congress more and more and in terms of governing style is seeking to run things like Newt Gingrich and Tom DeLay by placing higher emphasis on personal loyalty and issue politics than on seniority.
Agree. Plus she is backing Democratic U.S. Representatives with very shady histories. Like the Republican Party of the recent past, the Democratic Party is setting itself up for criminal and moral dilemmas.
Murtha has been in congress since before I was born, of the things that he might lack - seniority is not one of them. Anyway - house majority leader is not a seniority position - it's an elected one. Pelosi's endorsement isn't a guarantee of anything.
I love how Pelosi is getting eviscerated, when she hasn't even taken office. Personally, I think Murtha is a great choice. For all those who don't want "business as usual" in Congress, having a man like Murtha in a leadership position should make you happy. He will fight for veterans, and is hardly out of the mold of Tom DeLay. In fact, it would be difficult to find someone as completely different from DeLay as Congressman Murtha. I hope he wins the position, no sure thing, and that a large plate of crow is served after he does an excellent job there. D&D. Put on Your Tux... It's Party Time!
how the hell is mutha not qualified? he's only been there forever, incredibly respected and was at the forefront of the iraq issue... oh and he's fairly moderate and has outstanding military cred. which we'll obviously need int he upcoming months and years in iraq. if anything he's not the political hack that hoyer is.
from an article in the LATimes, which is apparently no longer available online: “When Congress passed the $417-billion Pentagon spending bill last ear, Rep. John P. Murtha, the top Democrat on the House defense appropriations subcommittee, boasted about the money he secured to create jobs in his Pennsylvania district. “But the bill Murtha helped write also benefited at least 10 companies represented by a lobbying firm where his brother, Robert “Kit” Murtha, is a senior partner, according to disclosure records, interviews and an analysis of the bill by The Times.”
From what I know of Murtha I don't think he'll be bad, but I also think it would be a big mistake for the Democratic Party to assume this last election was wholly about Iraq. IMO the scandals and corruption and general heavy handedness of the Republicans played just as big, if not bigger, result in the rejection of the GOP.
