Nancy Pelosi's first mistake as Speaker?

[kentuck]

She did not have to come out for Murtha. She could have left it up the Democrats in the caucus. By throwing her support behind Murtha, she made a gamble. If he wins, she will look strong. But, if he loses, it could make her look weaker, perhaps??

[The Magistrate]

1. Victory By Rep. Hoyer, Sir, Will Smooth It All Over

It will be of no consequence once the new term commences. Rep. Hoyer is clearly the man for the job.

[Tatiana]

7. Absolutely.

The Dem caucus can send the rest of the leadership a message by electing Hoyer. Pelosi will be a bit more measured and considerate in any future endorsements and anyone considering themselves for future leadership positions will make sure they are ethically above reproach.

[Robbien]

8. Sure, the Dems need a K Street guy at the head of the party

Lots of Lobbyist money for everyone!

[The Magistrate]

11. He Is Good At The Work, Ma'am

Good enough to have come from Bridgeport....

"Wouldn't it be odd if Heaven was just like the Eleventh Ward
And you had to know just who was who to receive your just reward?"

[madinmaryland]

18. Who's from Bridgeport?

K-street type ethics...

"Bordeaux" Joe Ganim

:shrug:

[The Magistrate]

23. It Is A Chicago Neighborhood, Sir

On the near southwest side, and the hereditary home of the Daley machine.

[Robbien]

I expect he is referring to Chicago and the first mayor Daley

and basically saying its all politics.

[warrens]

33. We should just ban K Street

They hate us anyway. They may kiss ass for a year or two, but they're basically corporate fascists and will be working for the GOP. Just cut off all access, and notify their major clients that they aren't worth their salaries. The real estate could go to much better uses. Hell, turning it into an industrial sludge pile would be a better use.

[B Calm]

30. Her only mistake was saying we won't impeach Bush! Backing Murtha

was right on!

[Cosmocat]

2. eh ...

It kind of plays both ways ... Showing a little loyalty isn't a bad thing ...

If Murtha falls short, it will be a "news" story for a week or two, and be LONG forgotten by the start of the new year ...

[BOSSHOG]

3. Wearing Gray on a Friday?

I think she's a tad bit too subjective on this matter. Methinks Madam Speaker has a hardon for Hoyer for some reason. More anti-hoyer then pro-Murtha. But you are right, she should have stayed above the frey.

[acmavm]

4. I agree with you. It was a mistake. But not a weak/strong issue

but one regarding his rep as being less than honest. ABSCAM and all that .

Don't lecture me about republican dishonesty or McCain. I've probably already said it to someone else myself before this.

I'm just agreeing that she should have left it for the democrats in general, not taken the issue up personally. But it's done now. Too late to worry about it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. I started a post on the Abscam video...

It didn't look good... And just because you were found "not guilty" or no charges were brought against you doesn't mean you were totally innocent...

[kentuck]

31. Of course, that would mean she might be wrong on "impeachment" also...

The Democrats do not march in lockstep.

[GymGeekAus]

5. Winning or losing doesn't define strength.

You fight the fights that need to be fought, after all. Regardless of the expectation of outcome.

I think Murtha's elevation to Majority Leader would be seen as a deliberate attempt to reach across the aisle ideologically, an open statement that the progressive caucus wants to have a dialogue with the more conservative caucuses in Congress.

All in all, it was something that could have healed a lot of wounds.

Before it goes much further, though, Murtha must explain his Congressional graft.

I refer us all to the Center for Ethics and Responsibility in Washington. But I caution us all to wait for Murtha's explanations to a concerned nation.

[bobbolink]

6. "Winning" or "losing" is more important than corruption damaging the Nation?

It's Time To PUt Nation Above Party, Folks!!!

Methinks we've strategized so much, we forget what the power is supposed to be for--protecting our nation and our constitution!

How 'bout we meditate on that for a bit?

[Robbien]

12. Corruption from whom? Hoyer lobbyist Corruption or Murtha Defense

Two choices, both corrupt.

[GymGeekAus]

14. Let's hear the reality behind the perceived corruption first, huh?

Politics is largely a "you wash my back, I wash yours" kind of deal. This we know--and accept as the nature of compromise.

Were the contracts that Murtha earmarked in our nation's best interest? Was his brother's involvement actually inconsequential? These are important questions.

As for the DLC connections of Hoyer, could we have some more specific allegations to talk about here?

Too much hot air going on, IMHO.

[bobbolink]

15. Yes, both corrupt. It's not about Pelosi "losing"--it's about honesty

and integrity.

So, I don't give a rip whether it's HOyers or Murtha.

THE PEOPLE LOSE EITHER WAY, and that's a damned sight more important than whether Pelosi "wins" or "loses".

To hell with Pelosi. She dug this pit.

[WI_DEM]

10. She will win, I predict she knows how to count and wouldn't have

put her prestige on the line if they didn't have the votes.

[grizmaster]

13. She looks strong either way

Either way it shows she will stand by dems who stand up for the right thing like Murtha did.

And if the vote is even close it shows how much discipline she can call up. The only way she comes out of this looking bad is if Hoyer wins in a landslide. And from the talk it sounds like Hoyer will win, but not by much.

[gkhouston]

16. Nah, this is inside baseball. Only the political weenies are watching the game.

Murtha's been very outspoken as an antiwar Dem and Iraq seems to have been a huge factor in winning the election. Giving him the nod for the majority whip could simply be a way of acknowledging that achievement. If the votes aren't there, she's still "paid the debt". This is only in the news because the corporate media is desperate to find some controversy or weakness to talk about. Let's face it, routine Congressional procedure is :boring:.

[kentuck]

17. Good point...

A payback of sorts.

[Wickerman]

19. It shows she is loyal and follows her instinct

He suported her for her bid as Minority Leader, now she is returning the favor and obviouisly respects the man - what's not to like in those actions? I smell character.

[stopbush]

20. This was a brilliant move by Pelosi. She's giving both Hoyer & Murtha media time.

Most Americans have no idea whatsoever about either Hoyer or Murtha. On a "normal" year, the
inside vote for House Majority Leader would garner a few words on the pundit shows, absolutely
no mention on the nightly news. Look at the R announcement today about Lott and the others.
A blip. No one cares and it got very little coverage.

Whether it's Murtha or Hoyer at the end of the day tomorrow, more Americans will know who they
are, and that profile helps solidify the public's perception that the Ds really are in power.

[Tom Joad]

21. She is not Speaker.

[GymGeekAus]

22. Semantics. This is among her first acts as incoming Speaker. n/t

[gatorboy]

24. How could she look weak?

They're both strong choices. It's a win either way. Though that does sound like a talking point Faux would be all over:

"Pelosi considered a weak leader after Murtha loss?"

[kentuck]

25. Exactly!

So it's best that we get out in front of that wave. Don't you think? :)

[gatorboy]

26. Can you call'em or can you call'em...

Looks like the AP is reading the DU:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061116/ap_on_go_co/congress_leaders

WASHINGTON - House Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi faces a major leadership test Thursday, barely a week into her new role, as Democrats vote on her choice for majority leader. She's supporting a lawmaker once caught up in a bribery scandal and known more recently for trading votes for pork projects.

Pelosi's prestige is on the line after endorsing longtime ally John Murtha of Pennsylvania to be the No. 2 Democrat in place of her longtime rival Steny Hoyer of Maryland.

[Ksec]

27. KO said Hoyer has the votes. Murtha said he has the votes

I have a feeling Murtha has the votes.

[yellowdogmi]

28. Nancy's first mistake was taking impeachment off the table.

Leaving it on the table would have given her more power and kept the netroots on her side. Bad tactics. Let them sweat. jmho.

[GymGeekAus]

32. Ms. Pelosi (ahem) can put things back on the table.

Should nuking Iran still be on the table? The Bushies think so.

[lies and propaganda]

29. i dont get why she cant support someone.

are WE telling her she has to be a nice, quiet Dem? I know we cant possibly be...

[Norquist Nemesis]

34. Technically, she's not Speaker until January

:P :hi:

I'm going to give this a wait and see approach. It just doesn't seem right to start tearing her down before she's had a chance to even bang the gavel. JMHO.

[bigtree]

35. nah

everything's fine. Nancy just has to deal with her former competitor. They will generate good tension which should pull the various factions closer as they compromise with each other.