Steny Hoyer: House majority leader

[richiebaseball]

Rep. Steny Hoyer will be the new House majority leader, defeating Rep. John Murtha by a vote of 149-86.

I'm certainly glad the majority of Democrats stood by their principles, refusing to give a corrupt Murtha more power than he already has.

But for some, it's business as usual.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/16/AR2006111600514.html

One conservative Democrat said that a Murtha-Pelosi ally approached him on the House floor and said pointedly: "I hope you like your committee assignment, because it's the only one you're going to get."

In a phone call initiated by Murtha that same day, the lawmaker told the longtime politician that he had already signed a letter of support for Hoyer. The congressman said he was stunned when Murtha told him, "Letters don't mean anything."

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Pelosi's aggressive intervention on behalf of Murtha baffled and angered many Democrats, who said she unnecessarily put her reputation on the line out of misplaced loyalty to a friend and because of a long-standing feud with Hoyer, currently the minority whip. Pelosi pushed Murtha's candidacy at social events, in private meetings and with incoming freshman Democrats; they were called to her office to discuss committee assignments, only to hear first that she needed Murtha in order to be an effective leader.

That's disturbing. I think it calls into question her leadership abilities by her peers if she is going to appear dependent on only being effective based on one individual. I thought the party was united and determined.

For the most part, lawmakers, Hill aides and some outside advisers -- even some close to her -- say they are at a loss to explain why Pelosi has held a grudge for so long, because she clearly has the upper hand as leader of the House Democrats. They suggest that part of what rankles her is that Hoyer is not beholden to her and feels no compulsion to publicly agree with her on every issue. This, allies say, she sees as a sign of disloyalty. With the number of declared votes still heavily favoring Hoyer yesterday, Murtha's supporters had hoped a plea to unify behind Pelosi would secure an upset today.

Well good for him and shame on her.

 

[Fitswimmer]

This, allies say, she sees as a sign of disloyalty

Ok, THAT line makes me nervous. We've had enough people holding positions of authority that put personal loyalty before the good of the country. (see Brownie, Rumsfeld) The people voted to CHANGE that kind of thinking.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I was a Bush supporter but even I grew very tired of the crony crap. I see now that it happens on both sides of the aisle. No wonder I am becoming politically apathetic. Nuff said.