Text 25023, 109 rader
Skriven 2006-11-13 06:18:00 av Jeff Binkley (1:226/600)
Ärende: House
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The move to the left continues....

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/article/2006/11/12/AR2006111200762_pf.html

Pelosi Endorses Murtha as Next Majority Leader

By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 13, 2006; 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 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.

"I salute your courageous leadership that changed the national debate 
and helped make Iraq the central issue of this historic election. It was 
surely a dark day for the Bush Administration when you spoke truth to 
power," she wrote. "Your strong voice for national security, the war on 
terror and Iraq provides genuine leadership for our party, and I count 
on you to lead on these vital issues."

Murtha responded, "I am deeply gratified to receive the support of 
Speaker Pelosi, a tireless advocate for change and a true leader for our 
Party and our country."

Pelosi's decision could be a significant blow to Hoyer, who has worked 
for years to move up in the Democratic leadership. Political 
handicappers had regarded Hoyer to be the strong favorite when House 
Democrats meet Thursday to choose a majority leader for the 110th 
Congress. Although Murtha's stance on Iraq has made him a hero among 
many grass-roots party activists, his positions against abortion and gun 
control have pushed many House liberals into Hoyer's camp, including the 
leader of the Out of Iraq Caucus, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.).

Hoyer's camp counts 21 of the roughly 40 incoming freshman Democrats as 
committed supporters. Many freshmen believe the Democrats should stick 
with the team that brought them to the majority, said John Sarbanes, who 
was elected last week to represent central Maryland in the House.

Hoyer also has the strong support of many of the party's conservative 
"Blue Dog" Democrats, who worry about Murtha's involvement in the Abscam 
bribery sting in 1980 and what they see as his freewheeling style on the 
House Appropriations Committee, where he has openly advocated for the 
interests of his district and his political supporters.

Some of Hoyer's supporters put the best face on Pelosi's intervention, 
saying Murtha would not have asked for a public letter of support if his 
campaign were not in trouble.

"I don't think it's significant," said Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.), a 
leading Blue Dog and Hoyer supporter. "Everyone already knew she was 
supporting Murtha. I don't think this will have much of an impact. 
Steny's going to win this fight."

But Murtha has garnered the support of some influential Californians 
close to Pelosi, including Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), a liberal 
firebrand who will chair the House Education and the Workforce 
Committee.

In a statement, Hoyer said he remains confident he has the votes.

"Nancy told me some time ago that she would personally support Jack. I 
respect her decisions as the two are very close," he wrote. "I am 
grateful for the support I have from my colleagues, and have the 
majority of the caucus supporting me. I look forward to working with 
Speaker Pelosi as Majority Leader."

Another potentially fractious vote in the House Democratic Caucus was 
settled late last week when Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), the outgoing 
chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, decided 
against running for House majority whip. Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), 
the only African American in the House Democratic leadership, had 
already announced his candidacy.

Emanuel instead will stand unopposed for the job Clyburn will vacate, 
House Democratic Caucus chairman. In his announcement, he appealed for 
party unity ahead of Thursday's leadership elections.

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