WaPo: Pelosi Endorses Murtha as Next Majority Leader

[Penndems]

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 had 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.

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.

*******************************************************************
Link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/12/AR2006111200762.html

[Ignacio Upton]

1. CREW and ABSCAM

Murtha is lited as one of five members to watch on CREW's list. Unfortunately, I can't

http://www.citizensforethics.org/press/newsrelease.php?view=156

He was also involved in ABSCAM, but didn't do anything illegal (but the perception of being involved isn't good.)

[Penndems]

2. I don't understand why he's on CREW's list

Did I miss something? Is Representative Murtha involved in something nefarious?

Murtha was absolved of any involvement in ABSCAM, and the GOP doesn't want to throw stones at glass houses. Senator John McCain is one of the Keating Five, involved in the savings and loan scandal, back in the late 1980s:

Article from The Arizona Republic on McCain's involvement in the Keating scandal:

http://www.azcentral.com/specials/special39/articles/1003mccainbook5.html

[trayfoot]

3. I definitely support Murtha - glad Pelosi does!

eom

[Penndems]

4. Both Congressmen would make exceptional Majority Leaders

But in a time of war, it's good to have someone in that position who's been so involved with veterans, and has been at the forefront in scrutinizing and critiquing this Administration's rationale for leading this country into war.

With thirty-two years in Congress, Representative Murtha would be an excellent choice.

[Demoiselle]

5. Murtha fired the first shot...

And coming from a long time representative with strong ties to the military. it was
a bull's eye. I'm glad Pelosi is supporting him.

[Penndems]

6. Me, too

I'd be proud and honored to have Representative Murtha as the House Majority Leader.

[KingFlorez]

7. He backed Pelosi when she ran for Minority Leader

He's a moderate so it will balance out the leadership well, something the GOP never tried to do with their leadership.

[gulliver]

8. That's a good move. Pelosi is winning me over. n/t