Pelosi-Hoyer-Murtha A win in disguise?

[radfringe]

the media is playing Hoyer's win as a loss for Pelosi, i,e, she can't get the Dem house on the same page...

Taking a long view - is it really a loss, or a win in disguise?

In 1994 - Gingrich and his co-horts took over the House. In 2001 - the GOPers took over the White House, the Senate and retained control of the House. (yes, I know there was few months where the Dems controlled the Senate under Daschel)

The consolidation of power under GOPers is due to massive quantities of kool-aid, rubberstamps glued to their hands, and marching in lock-step. GOPers who dare to offer a different view were quickly squashed.

the House vote for Hoyer over Murtha may be a win in disguise. Not because Murtha is bad, or not a good choice - but rather is shows independent thought.

If the same situation arose amongst the GOPers, and the GOP speaker wanted Representative ABC as leader as opposed to Representative XYZ - how much arm twisting and head bashing would be going on in the background, and who do you think would "win".

Clinton gave a speech at an event for Harold Ford. In the speech Clinton said (paraphrased) that he didn't agree with some of Ford's views, and this was not a bad thing, because if two people agree with everything 100% of the time, then it means one of them aren't thinking.

Hoyer's win doesn't mean the House Dems are in disarray, nor does it imply Pelosi has "lost control". It means we have a House of Representatives who think for themselves - and this is good thing.

[fasttense]

1. I never saw it as a loss for Pelosi

She stood by her long time friend and mentor, while still getting the popular Hoyer (popular among the House of Representatives). Seems to me, despite what the corporate media wants you to believe, that she had to back Murtha or she would come across as a disloyal, back-stabber. She made the best decision.

[Virginia Dare]

2. Despite their philosophical differences...

Pelosi and Hoyer have worked well together, they make a good team. The majority of the Democratic Caucus saw this and voted to continue with that particular team. There will be no "hammering style" lock-step with this Congress, and I see that as only a good thing.

[bemildred]

3. I am reserving judgement on it for now.

I was mostly struck by the fact that the matter was played out as high melodrama in the media, and we got about a week of that. I consider it unlikely that that occurred by accident, but I haven't really been able to resolve the purpose of the dramatization, or what Ms Pelosi's and/or the Democratic caucus' intentions were in stirring up the fuss in the first place. It seems to me however, that it is at least worth considering that it was not what it appeared to be.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. One little fact was left out of your framing ......

When Newt took over, he also had a fight for Leader. He didn't want DeLay, who he saw as a challenge to his authority. In a larger sense, not much different than the Hoyer/Murtha thing.

In the largest sense ...... this was processs and who really gives a shit?