Murtha Charges that Hoyer's Iraq Position is "Stay the Course"

[ECH1969]

The battle between House Democrats Steny Hoyer (Md.) and John Murtha (Pa.) for the position of House Majority Leader heated up today as Murtha attacked Hoyer's position on Iraq. In a statement released today, Murtha took his shot at Hoyer.

"The Pelosi-Murtha position on the war is the reason the Democrats are in the majority today," said Murtha. "Congressman Hoyer's position has been to stay the course with President Bush from the very beginning and, like Senator John McCain, he advocates sending in more troops."

Hoyer's office was quick to respond with a statement of their own in which they claim that Hoyer's position has been consistent with that of Murtha.

http://somd.com/news/headlines/2006/4814.shtml

[Faygo Kid]

1. Wow. Jack Murtha is one tough Marine.

Go Jack, go. Steny Hoyer is not the enemy (remember that!), but I want Jack Murtha, a true American hero with the guts to be out front on the war, to be Majority Leader. I want to see that first picture of Bush with him!

[rinsd]

2. Fuck! Goddamn why are we attacking our own!

I suppose Hoyer, now that Murtha has launched a broadside, will respond with Murtha's pitiful record on abortion.

God Save the Democratic Party from the Democrats!

[dailykoff]

3. Because wars make money.

If Murtha calls a swiftboater a swiftboater, more power to him.

[stepnw1f]

6. And SOme Want That Money

more than they want what's best for America.

[David__77]

14. Inner-party struggle can be a good thing.

Within disciplined limits, of course. But this is a clarifying struggle. Hoyer should own up to his errors on Iraq. Doing so could go a long way toward helping him win this fight too.

[dailykoff]

4. The issue is genocide, If Murtha thinks he can stop it

I'm backing him.

[stepnw1f]

5. Who Was Backing Hoyer Again?

I think I'm starting to understand the "Swiftboating" of Murtha now.

[w4rma]

13. David Sirota on Hoyer's closeness to K Street.

By David Sirota
Washington Spectator - 9/1/06 (Permalink)

FOLLOW THE MONEY—”Democrats’ Stock Is Rising on K Street” blared a recent Washington Post story detailing moves by former Democratic lawmakers and staff to cash in as corporate lobbyists. “Corporate Contributions Shift to the Left,” read an earlier Wall Street Journal story about how “big companies are boosting their share of campaign contributions to Democrats.”

This trend is undoubtedly pleasing party leaders like House minority whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD). Until he was criticized for doing so, Hoyer proudly posted a Roll Call story on his official taxpayer-sponsored website, headlined “Hoyer’s Own K Street Project,” about how he was starting a fund-raising operation to shake down corporate lobbyists for cash. Those efforts likely benefited from the services of one Gina Mahoney, who according to the National Journal “does double duty” for Hoyer, serving both as his senior legislative adviser and as his political fund-raising entity’s chief “liaison to K Street and the business community.” Such “liaising” might explain why, following the indictment of lobbyist-manipulator Jack Abramoff last year, Hoyer made sure he was featured in The Hill newspaper reassuring the corporate community that he “has sought to make himself the first contact for K Street” and that he would continue holding regular meetings with their lobbyists.
http://davidsirota.com/index.php/big-money-vs-grassroots/

[MiniMe]

7. I really wish they would handle this out of the newspapers

and behind closed doors. Squabbling amongst ourselves is not a good way to start, especially when it is public. It causes hard feelings.

[upi402]

9. seconded. "Oh Nancy!"

eh hemmm.

[truthisfreedom]

8. weird.

“Congressman Hoyer and Congressman Murtha have joined other Democratic leaders from both the House and Senate in signing three letters to the President that outline the consensus among Democrats regarding Iraq,” said Stacey Farnen Bernards, Hoyer’s press secretary. “Any representation that Congressman Hoyer endorses a ‘stay-the-course’ strategy or advocates sending more troops to Iraq is wrong.”

The House Democrats will elect the Majority Leader this Thursday by secret ballot.


woooo... secret vote! heh.

[dailykoff]

11. I'd love to hear what that "consensus among Democrats

regarding Iraq” might be.

[PittPoliSci]

10. i really hope there isn't much in fighting...

i want unity in the party, and a serious amount of republican ass kicking, not bickering...

[w4rma]

12. …