Murtha Next Majority Leader?

[jinelson]

Pelosi Endorses Murtha as Next Majority Leader

By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 13, 2006; Page 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. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., arrives on Capitol Hill Nov. 8, 2006, as she heads towards her first news conference since Election Day and the Democrats' rise to power in both houses of Congress. (Haraz N. Ghanbari - AP)

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://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/jinelson/MurthaPuppetSm.jpg

[thedrifter]

Murtha v. Hoyer: It Comes Down to Authenticity
Flavia Colgan
Huffington Post

When the new Congress convenes in January, the first big battle won't be with Republicans, but with themselves. As expected, Congressman Jack Murtha announced that he will challenge current Minority Whip Steny Hoyer for the Majority Leader role. Unexpectedly, incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi has decided to test-drive her newfound influence by backing Jack, setting up a real battle for the second-most powerful position in the House of Representatives.

There are a lot of reasons to like Murtha for the role, and not so many to favor Hoyer.

First, the obvious. Jack Murtha had the foresight to challenge the President strongly on Iraq, when too many in his party tried to blur the lines with wishy-washy proposals, including Hoyer. Late last year, Murtha observed that the current course in Iraq is not working, and since the President seemed uninterested in setting forth a new course with achievable and measurable goals, troops should begin a modified redeployment following Iraqi elections that was consistent with their safety. Further, he said, while the US should continue to engage in a diplomatic policy to help Iraqis stand on their own two feet, a quick-strike force should remain in the region, and US Marines should maintain a presence just over the horizon, to ensure that the country does not destabilize.

In the end, this was not only good politics, as it opened the door to strongly oppose the Administration on Iraq, but now it seems that the non-partisan commission led by former Secretary of State Baker will propose, essentially, the same thing.

So, chalk up a point for Murtha for credibility on the most important issue in the nation.

But, Murtha offers so much more than that.

Steny Hoyer is the ultimate DC-insider. While being very open about his efforts to cozy up to big business lobbyists on K Street, Hoyer was less forthcoming about doing the bidding of corporate America in exchange for campaign donations. While soliciting multi-thousand dollar checks, Hoyer refused to do his job as Minority Whip, sitting out the battle over the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), voting for the credit card industry written bankruptcy reform bill, and the Cheney energy bill. To be sure, Hoyer is smooth on television - always keeping to his talking points.

This is exactly what Americans said they do not want, in the midterm elections. In the bellweather of Ohio, progressive firebrand Sherrod Brown won a Senate seat railing against unfair trade agreements and for more progressive economics. In red Montana, Jon Tester wasn't the choice of party insiders to carry the Democratic banner, but in the end it was his rough around the edges persona that endeared him to voters. The anti-politician, Jim Webb, was the choice of Virginians for Senate, over the slick career pol, George Allen. Webb was never measured in what he said about the war - he spoke his mind, and voters respected that.

When looking at Jack Murtha, he combines the best of all three. Watching him on television, no one can say Murtha is slick, or reciting talking points. He's emotional, he thinks on his feet, and sometimes, yes, he even stumbles over a word or two. It's called authenticity. Like Tester, he's a gruff man's man, who likes his guns and doesn't want to "take them away" from anyone. Like Webb, as a Marine, Murtha has the credibility to talk bluntly about getting out of Iraq. Like Brown, Murtha is unabashed in his support for blue collar workers.

If Democrats are smart, they'll follow the voters' desires and Nancy Pelosi's lead in supporting Jack Murtha for Majority Leader. It won't win them many fans in corporate America, who are banking on Steny Hoyer to carry their water. It won't win Democrats many friends among the chattering class which still won't say America needs to get out of Iraq. Political consultants who are always hung up on talking points won't like the freewheeling and honest Murtha. No, but electing Murtha to Majority Leader will win Democrats the only people who ultimately matter - the voters.

Ellie

[thedrifter]

CREW Blasts Pelosi Endorsement of Unethical Murtha for Majority Leader

Democrats Win on Ethics But Choose to Run Corrupt Member for Leadership Post

11/13/2006 1:24:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: Naomi Seligman Steiner of CREW, 202-408-5565

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) questioned soon- to-be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) commitment to eradicating corruption with her endorsement of one of the most unethical members in Congress, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), to be Majority Leader of the House of Representatives.

Rep. Murtha was listed in CREW' report Beyond DeLay: The 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and five to watch). As reported in the study and by the news media, Rep, Murtha has been involved in a number of pay-to play schemes involving former staffers and his brother, Robert "Kit" Murtha.

Eight incumbents in CREW's report lost their races to ethics issues.

"Future House Speaker Pelosi's endorsement of Rep. Murtha, one of the most unethical members of Congress, shows that she may have prioritized ethics reform merely to win votes with no real commitment to changing the culture of corruption," Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW said today. "How can Americans believe that the Democrats will return integrity to the House when future Speaker Pelosi has endorsed an ethically-challenged member for a leadership position? Rep. Murtha is the wrong choice for this job."

Not only is Rep. Murtha beset by ethics issues, The New York Times reported on Oct. 2 that he has consistently opposed ethics and earmark reform. Sloan continued, "Rep. Murtha's opposition to ethics reform does not bode well for future Speaker Pelosi's promise to enact ethics legislation in the first 100 hours of the new Congress."

Melanie Sloan is available to discuss CREW's opposition to Rep. Murtha's candidacy. Please contact Naomi Seligman Steiner at 202-408-5565 or press@citizensforethics.org.

CREW's report can be found at www.beyonddelay.org.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a non-profit legal watchdog group dedicated to holding public officials accountable for their actions.

For more information, visit www.citizensforethics.org or contact Naomi Seligman Steiner at 202-408-5565 or press@citizensforethics.org.

Ellie

[jinelson]

Murtha complaining of being "Swift Boated"

"WASHINGTON — The race to be the No. 2 House Democratic leader turned nasty Tuesday, with challenger Rep. John Murtha accusing opponents of "swift-boat style attacks" that hark back to his days being investigated in the FBI's 1980 Abscam sting.

Murtha won endorsement Monday from Nancy Pelosi, who is widely expected to be the House speaker. But Murtha is opposed by some liberals who say they are not happy with the Pennsylvania lawmaker's pro-gun and anti-abortion record. Others say Pelosi took a wrong turn in backing Murtha over her current deputy Rep. Steny Hoyer because Murtha's record is marred by ethics questions of the type Pelosi pledged to clean up in Congress.

"I am disconcerted that some are making headlines by resorting to unfounded allegations that occurred 26 years ago. I thought we were above this type of swift-boating attack. This is not how we restore integrity and civility to the United States Congress," Murtha said of the ample press coverage of his link to Abscam and more recent negotiations he made as ranking Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Committee."

LMAO even his liberal cronies are dumping him, must be a show of party unity.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/jinelson/froglaffing.gif

[crate78]

Should be interesting.

crate