Comments on: Nancy Pelosi Elected Speaker, Bets on Murtha, Loses Big

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 22:17:05 +0000

I don't see how this is sullying the image of unity. Pelosi decided she wanted a bitter fight amongst her party over something that certainly wasn't worth it and while they didn't call for a vote or anything, all signs indicate that the Republicans overwhelmingly agreed that that would be an excellent idea.

Am I the only one who thinks the next two years might be kind of fun? Between Pelosi running this circus and Hillary running for President ... imagine all the blog-fodder that's headed our way!

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 22:02:18 +0000

Why does everyone assume that Pelosi was banking on Murtha's win? Murtha supported Pelosi's campaign for minority leader, so now she is repaying that by supporting Murtha's campaign. Nobody on the left of the blogosphere seems to think that A) this was ever a "hotly contested" campaign, or that B) the democratic party has been split by this. Instead Pelosi gets points for loyalty, not all House leaders need to rule with an iron ~~hammer~~fist. So Pelosi supported Murtha, but the majority of the caucus supported Hoyer. Hoyer won, nobody seems very surprised by that, and everyone seems accepting of that. It's democracy in action, why does everyone here always assume that democracy is a bad thing? Mack, if the Republicans voted for a Dem who actually won, who would they complain about on talk radio for the next 2 years?

By: Conservative Outpost

Conservative Outpost — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 20:48:06 +0000

Murtha crashes and burns...

VERY badly...Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) was elected House majority leader this morning, defeating Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi's candidate, Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.). Hoyer won the No. 2 leadership job easily -- 149 to 86. But the showdown divide...

By: Revealing The ACLU - Standing Up Against the Greatest Overt Attack in American History » Democratic defy Palosi and elect Hoyer

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 20:27:53 +0000

[...] Also Reporting: From the Right: Hotair, Michelle Malkin, OTB , Stop the ACLU, Wake up America, Sister Toldjah, and Wizbang, [...]

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 19:50:46 +0000

Nothing wrong with this outcome. Murtha is a divisive figure and his ethics baggage made him a questionable choice for the job. And having Pelosi reminded that she does not hurl thunderbolts is not a bad thing...

By: Billy

Billy — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 18:56:08 +0000

This was a mistake on the part of Pelosi, even before it was clear she was going to lose, largely because of Murtha's history on ethics (not to mention his comments on the forthcoming bill). It will be interesting to see how she recovers from the obvious rebuke from the caucus.

By: Steven Taylor

Steven Taylor — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 18:32:27 +0000

Mack,

Technically, you are correct. In practical terms, however, that isn't going to happen.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 18:31:48 +0000

Yes, I was wondering that, too. I think there are special congressional rules they follow-it's not a straight up or down full house or senate vote for speaker, only the party caucus matters. But the new members are not even sworn in yet until next year. How does that work???

By: Mack

Mack — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 17:56:26 +0000

I don't think the stories are right. The Speaker is elected by the whole house. The Democratic caucus has chosen Pelosi as its candidate, but until the whole house votes, she is just a nominee. If the GOP picks an acceptable Dem who could pull 20-30 Dem votes, they could beat her, and that would be the sweetest revenge of all.

By: Unpartisan.com Political News and Blog Aggregator

Unpartisan.com Political News and Blog Aggregator — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 17:45:33 +0000

THE BUZZ...

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a well-regarded left-leaning watchdog, chomped...

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 17:22:43 +0000

And she went down. Hard.

By: Moderate Voters.org - An Alternative to the Far Right and Far Left.

Moderate Voters.org - An Alternative to the Far Right and Far Left. — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

Patriotism Back in Class for First Time Since War Times Pelosi Splits Democrats With Push for Murtha Washington Post, Jonathan Weisman & Lois Romano Pelosi's First Mistake Washington Post, Robert D. Novak [IMG] Blogged At: Outside The BeltwayPresident Visits Briefly With Putin on Way to Asia Washington Post, Jennifer Loven Sectarian Strife in Iraq Imperils Entire Region, Analysts Warn Washington Post, Ellen Knickmeyer [IMG] Blogged At:

By: Welcome to the new and improved Flanigan.net!

Welcome to the new and improved Flanigan.net! — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

this congress would be more entertaining that the past. Once can only hope they stay this divided and argumentative for the next couple of years while the American People come to their senses. Also Reporting: From the Right: Hotair, Michelle Malkin, OTB , Stop the ACLU, Wake up America, Sister Toldjah, and Wizbang, From the Left: Crooks and Liars and Daily Kos

By: http://www.elephantsordonkeys.com

http://www.elephantsordonkeys.com — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 +0000

House Democrats on Thursday chose Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer to be House majority leader over Rep. John Murtha, the choice of Rep. Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record), in line to become speaker. Hoyer was elected on a vote of 149-86. [IMG Stenny Hoyer Beats John Murtha, Embarrasses Nancy Pelosi House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md) walks into the House Democratic Caucus Leadership elections on Capitol Hill, November 15, 2006. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES)] The balloting marked a personal triumph for him, but also a snub to Pelosi, moments after the rank and file selected her unanimously to become speaker when the House convenes in January. In a figurative sense, Hoyer is holding up a different finger