Pelosi pulls out the stops for Murtha

The Hill ^ | 11-15-06 | Josephine Hearn

[Anti-Bubba182]

Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is imploring her colleagues to support Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) for majority leader, multiple House Democrats said yesterday, dealing an unexpected but not necessarily fatal blow to Murtha’s opponent, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).

It had been unclear until yesterday whether Pelosi would use her clout to turn votes to Murtha. She endorsed him in a letter Sunday, but some dismissed it as a nod to personal loyalty rather than a statement of her intentions.

But by yesterday, her intent was clear, several lawmakers said; she hopes to oust her onetime rival Hoyer from the leadership.

“She’s committed. If they thought she was just going to endorse his candidacy, they were mistaken,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), a Murtha ally. “She didn’t have to do this. It’s called courage.”

By throwing her full weight behind Murtha, Pelosi risks suffering an early setback with her colleagues if Hoyer wins; however, a Murtha victory would cement her total control.

Pelosi called incoming Ways and Means Committee chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) yesterday morning just hours after he had told the New York Sun, “I think Steny has done his job. I cannot think of any reason why this is happening,” prompting the paper to run the headline “Rangel Backs Hoyer for Leader.”............"

[Anti-Bubba182]

Pelosi making phone calls for Murtha is a step above an endorsement letter. She may wear out her welcome early. I don't see those House Prima Donnas taking orders well.

The more Democratic bloodletting the better.

[SubMareener]

Now if the Rebuplican's will only elect someone who can coopt the Blue Dog DemocRATS, we could have some real fun!

[rellimpank]

--yep--and I see Fox News shows that Hoyer isn't exactly a babe in the woods when it comes to so-called "special interest" money, either---as if any of them are--

[EQAndyBuzz]

"“She’s committed. If they thought she was just going to endorse his candidacy, they were mistaken,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), a Murtha ally. “She didn’t have to do this. It’s called courage.” "

So the Democrats ran on Republican Culture of Corruption and they want to put the most corrupt in congress into the leadership spot.

And no one has a problem with this?

[mkjessup]

Pelosi may discover that if Cut N' Run Murtha ends up as Majority Leader, that her headaches are just beginning.

By all means, elect that raving corrupt windbag as HML, you can't get that kind of entertainment on ANY pay-per-view.

[AppyPappy]

He's a really old white guy. She needs to throw him under the bus and give the goods to someone else. You don't want the symbol of the "New Democrat Party" to be some old guy with a big mouth.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Why anyone would want to put that doddering old fool out as the face of the Democrat Party is beyond me. His handlers wouldn't even let him be seen in his own stinking district during this past election. How in Sam Hill does Pelosi expect him to withstand even a mild grilling on on the big stage?

[Anti-Bubba182]

She supports Murtha because he makes her look young.

[BigLittle]

He's a really old white guy. She needs to throw him under the bus and give the goods to someone else. You don't want the symbol of the "New Democrat Party" to be some old guy with a big mouth.

But he has the right stuff!

[SubMareener]

Murtha YES! Show the real face of the DemocRAT Party on the TV every night! And, in the last quote of the story, it is a "tough row to hoe" not a "tough road to hoe". Either the DemocRAT or the reporter got it wrong.

[NeoCaveman]

Did anyone think Pelosi would "slavishly" back Hoyer?

Sorry Steny, too many targets, too little time.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Maybe they meant "a tough road to ho".

[GeorgiaDawg32]

or "a tough road ho"??

[NeoCaveman]

A tough ho to row?

lol

[Cowboy Bob]

Now if the Rebuplican's will only elect someone who can coopt the Blue Dog DemocRATS, we could have some real fun!

On another thread, someone suggested that the Republicans join forces with the Blue Dogs and elect a Blue Dog the Speaker of the House. While it would be great to deny Nancy Pelosi the position (and the ability to appoint committee chairman), the problem would be that the "face" of the Democratic Party would be a "moderate" Democrat.

For the next two years, the Democrats would appear moderate, and cause the 2008 election to be a repeat of 2006 - "moderate democrats" defeat "moderate republicans."

[GeorgiaDawg32]

How in Sam Hill does Pelosi expect him to withstand even a mild grilling on on the big stage?

it's easy..just call every criticism "swift-boating" no matter where it comes from..

I already have my popcorn out and am watchin the show..these people are beyond comprehension with their infighting..they have NO PLAN for how they'll govern amongst themselves and they're going to govern America?? their entire plan during the elections was "vote for us because we're not republicans"...

[mkjessup]

or "a tough road ho"??

You can find 'em hangin' out (literally) at Bubba's Presidential Single-Wide Trailer Library and Massage Parlor right off I-30 in Little Rock.

[GeorgiaDawg32]

is that the one with the big "Interns Wanted" sign out front?? I think I've seen that..

[JimRed]

I may be wrong, but I think that Pelosi's support of Murtha is because she knows that he'll be the one to pi$$ conservatives off the most.

[sgtbono2002]

Somebody cl;ue me in. Is Nancy automatically Speaker? Has she been elected yet herself? Why can Steny hoyer solve this problem by taking his group and running against Pelosi herself. I am no friend of Steny Hoyer, but he would make a better Speaker than this shrew.