Dem Leadership Update: Ugly And Uglier

The Hotline ^ | 15 November 2006 | Staff

[shrinkermd]

With 24 hours to go before House leadership elections, the race is boiling down to two main storylines.

The first involves a 26-year-old story that began to emerge once again yesterday: Rep. John Murtha's past. After being a little too involved in Abscam for his own good (some accounts have former Speaker Tip O'Neill personally bailing Murtha out of trouble) and what Washington Post's Marcus calls a "one-man earmarking factory," Murtha has a number of good gov't types on his case, including Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Gov't. The Hill even reports that, because of his penchant for doling out earmarks, some defense industry lobbyists hope he loses and retains his chairmanship, this time in the majority.

The second continues from 11/12, when Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi injected herself in the race. While her inital letter backing Murtha was initially seen as simple loyalty, but now, she's making phone calls and button-holing members for their support. Baltimore Sun's Hay Brown reports the speaker-in-waiting is playing hardball: She summoned Rep.-elect Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) to her office to ask why Gillibrand was supporting current Dem whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and, completely coincidentally, asked for Gillibrand's committee preferences.

Pelosi's efforts have gotten attention throughout the caucus as, according to Hay Brown, Hoyer "fought to hang on to his support" 11/14. Uncommitted Rep.-elect Tim Walz (D-MN): "To be honest, I was waiting for the Speaker. When the Speaker speaks, you listen. I take that into heavy consideration" (Hearn, The Hill, 11/15)...

[WOSG]

"But Diana Irey couldn't get any of the MSM to look at these questions during the campaign. Lawd knows, she tried.."

MSM is allergic to helping Republicans and conservatives.

[Chesterbelloc]

This article sure makes Walz look like a complete wimp.

[Cobra64]

The Republicans have had six years of Liberal obstructionism to watch and learn from. Now, they know how to respond to the corrupt Liberals. Use their tactics back on them.

Won't happen. Here's why:

[Cobra64]

They'll just blame it all on Bush.

[Cobra64]

If another attack comes the spin doctors will be out in full force and trying to blame it on George Bush. They will probably get away with it.

Unfortunately, you are correct.

[Cobra64]

What would the swift boat veterans have to do with Murtha? Murtha was not on a swift boat.

[rightazrain]

"What would the swift boat veterans have to do with Murtha? Murtha was not on a swift boat."

Murtha himself brought up the lament that he was "being swift-boated by some Democrats" a couple of days ago. What a hoot!!!

Sure glad to have a few laughs this side of election day.

[Cincinatus]

This is an article to cite when people ask you the difference between Republicans and Democrats: Republicans became corrupt in office; the Democrats are assuming office already corrupt.

[Miss Marple]

I can't stand Kasich, either, but I want Hoyer to win so that Pelosi's influence on other House members is diminished.

I also would like it if someone else ends up being Speaker because she has PO'd so many people.

[Eroteme]

I also would like it if someone else ends up being Speaker because she has PO'd so many people.

I always felt this was a real possibility. The left wing media sensed it too--which is why they anointed her from the get-go. 24/7 Speaker Pelosi indoctrination. You can just hear them gloating: Let's just see you try pulling that sacred rug out from under the first ever history-making woman speaker of the house.

[Miss Marple]

Yes, but somehow I don't think you could get too many people upset outside the Beltway. After all, the Rats have the smartest woman in the country in the Senate, so that should placate them.

In fact, I think Hillary would NOT like Pelosi being on TV for the next two years.

Well, we will see what happens tomorrow.

[Txsleuth]

They are secret ballots...so it would be funny if the Hoyer faction got together and decided to vote for Hoyer for Speaker of the House...

It would serve La Pelosi right.

[aShepard]

Seems that Murtha has a Kerryesque disease:

Murtha's War Hero Status Called Into Question
By Marc Morano and Randy Hall
CNSNews.com Staff January 13, 2006
[LINK to entire article]
[Excerpt]
Murtha is a retired marine and was the first Vietnam combat veteran elected to Congress. Since 1967, there have been at least three different accounts of the injuries that purportedly earned Murtha his Purple Hearts. Those accounts also appear to conflict with the limited military records that are available, and Murtha has thus far refused to release his own military records.

World War II Navy veteran Harry M. Fox, previously indicated that Murtha in 1968 personally asked Fox's boss, then-U.S. Rep. John Saylor (R-Pa.), for assistance in obtaining the Purple Hearts, but was turned down because Saylor's office determined that Murtha lacked sufficient evidence of wounds....

"We were amazed that Mr. Murtha was asking for Purple Hearts for superficial lacerations," he [Fox] added...