Pelosi's first defeat

[rollhead]

House Democrats Elect Hoyer to No. 2 Post

Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland won election today
as House majority leader, a Democratic spokeswoman said.

Mr. Hoyer won the post over Representative John P. Murtha,
who was backed by Representative Nancy Pelosi, the incoming speaker.

[Scott Dolan]

Hey, that only makes her 1-1 over the last two weeks.

[Monte Smith]

I think this defeat goes in the BFD column. If we're keeping score.

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

I think this defeat goes in the BFD column. If we're keeping score.

How 'bout the DOA column?

[Scott Dolan]

You can't win 'em all, rollie.

[rollhead]

I was just hoping that the "party of the people" would have picked someone other than a flaming, Armani-wearing elitist llike Pelosi as its leader.

She is the pompous liberal personified -- the kind of person the right gets energized in its hatred over.

I understand she was hand-picked by the Clintons -- no wonder she reminds me of Hillary.

[Scott Dolan]

Who would you have preferred?

[Surfer]

Originally Posted by rollhead

I was just hoping that the "party of the people" would have picked someone other than a flaming, Armani-wearing elitist llike Pelosi as its leader.

She is the pompous liberal personified -- the kind of person the right gets energized in its hatred over.

I understand she was hand-picked by the Clintons -- no wonder she reminds me of Hillary.

Stuff a canoli in it. You just hate Italian-Americans, admit it. Every Italian-American woman has a Gucci handbag. Every guido has a Movado knockoff. It's how we roll. Armani = Italian, bitch.

[rollhead]

Democrats Elect Hoyer as New Majority Leader

By Lois Romano and Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, November 16, 2006; 12:38 PM



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 divided the Democrat House caucus only a week after its party won a majority of seats in the Congress that begins meeting in January, and prompted numerous complaints that Pelosi and her allies used strong-arm tactics and threats to try to elect Murtha to the job.

Democrats this morning unanimously chose Pelosi (D-Calif.) to be the speaker of the House. She will be the first woman to hold that post.

Murtha, 74, a former Marine who was among the first on Capitol Hill to call for a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, may have hurt his own chances Tuesday night when he derided the Democrats' ethics and lobbying package before saying he will push for its passage anyway out of deference to Pelosi. His statement, at a gathering of conservative "Blue Dog" Democrats, was cited by Hoyer backers as further proof that Murtha's controversial ethics record disqualifies him to lead the party in a new political era.

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, 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.

Hoyer, 67, had been heavily favored to win the race until Sunday, when Pelosi -- in a move that shocked even her staff -- openly threw her support to Murtha, despite a vow to stay neutral. She said in a letter that she was swayed by Murtha's early call for a withdrawal of U.S. troops, and that he would be best positioned to lead a new Democratic majority.

On the eve of the vote, which is conducted by secret ballot, Hoyer maintained the public support of most incoming committee chairmen, influential liberals such as Reps. Barney Frank (Mass.) and Maxine Waters (Calif.), most conservative Blue Dogs, and 21 of the 40 or so freshmen. But Murtha had a sizable contingent from the Appropriations Committee and the Pennsylvania delegation, as well as Pelosi's closest supporters. After her endorsement, Pelosi continued to push Murtha unabashedly.

"Have you ever seen a leader get involved in race like this? That should tell you all you need to know about her commitment," said Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), a friend of Pelosi's who as of last night was supporting Murtha.

So intense was the lobbying been that incoming House Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) -- after fielding a call from Pelosi -- said in a media report that he hadn't really endorsed Hoyer in a published interview in which he praised him.

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."

Hoyer's supporters complained about such tactics.

"Commitment is something of value in this institution," said Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.). "If you have somebody in this race saying, 'Oh, your promises don't really mean anything in a secret ballot,' that bothers me, and it should bother a lot of people."

Murtha, the ranking Democrat on the powerful Appropriations defense subcommittee, has been dogged by allegations that he has skirted ethical boundaries and has thwarted efforts to tighten rules on lobbying. Those questions were amplified yesterday after at least three attendees at the Tuesday-night meeting of Blue Dog lawmakers complained that Murtha had disparaged the Democrats' ethics and lobbying package.

"He said, 'You know, I believe it's total crap, but Nancy supports it, and I'm going to push it,' " said a senior Blue Dog Democrat and Hoyer supporter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was divulging comments from a closed-door meeting.

Pelosi aides stressed that Murtha remained dedicated to the package's passage, but the dust-up rekindled memories of past Murtha votes. He was one of 12 Democrats to vote against campaign finance legislation written by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Russell Feingold (D-Wis.), and he was one of four Democrats who opposed an ethics package earlier this year that was designed to contrast the Democrats' tough stance with a weaker Republican bill. He also pushed a rules change to block outside groups from filing complaints to the House ethics committee.

The Murtha camp accused Hoyer of a "stay the course" mentality on Iraq, which Hoyer said did not accurately reflect his call for a phased redeployment of troops.

Although the main focus has been on the nasty sniping between Murtha and Hoyer, the unspoken story is the long-simmering rivalry between Pelosi and Hoyer. The two have known each other more than 40 years -- since, as young, ambitious Maryland natives, they interned for then-Sen. Daniel B. Brewster.

At one time they were friends, but their ambitions eventually put them on a collision course. Pelosi nominated Hoyer in a 1991 House leadership race and was one of his lieutenants. But in 2001, the two ran against each other in a protracted and nasty race for minority whip. Pelosi won handily, but her allies charge that Hoyer never stopped running for the next prize and along the way tried to undercut her authority. Hoyer has said he has never been anything but supportive of Pelosi.

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, Murtha's supporters had hoped a plea to unify behind Pelosi would secure an upset today.

But for many Democrats -- such as Hoyer supporter Michael Arcuri (D), the Oneida County district attorney just elected to represent his Upstate New York district -- the pitch was not working. "I'm a DA," Arcuri said the night before the vote. "I'm used to pressure."

In addition to electing Pelosi today, the congressional Democrats also by voice vote chose Rahm Emanuel to be House Democratic Caucus chairman.

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Who would you have preferred?

Rocky Marciano!

Originally Posted by Surfer

Stuff a canoli in it. You just hate Italian-Americans, admit it. Every Italian-American woman has a Gucci handbag. Every guido has a Movado knockoff. It's how we roll. Armani = Italian, bitch.

Wait a minute! Is Rocky Marciano Italian-American?

[Surfer]

We just need to whore-her-up a bit like that chick in My Cousin Vinny, then middle America will love her, just like they love The Sopranos.

She needs more of an abrasive Long Island accent. Maybe Chuck Shumer can give her lessons.

Also she needs to chew gum at her press conferences.

[rollhead]

My Speaker Edie

[Scott Dolan]

Originally Posted by Surfer

Stuff a canoli in it. You just hate Italian-Americans, admit it. Every Italian-American woman has a Gucci handbag. Every guido has a Movado knockoff. It's how we roll. Armani = Italian, bitch.

I thought rollie was an Italian name?

[groover]

Originally Posted by Surfer

We just need to whore-her-up a bit like that chick in My Cousin Vinny, then middle America will love her, just like they love The Sopranos.

She needs more of an abrasive Long Island accent. Maybe Chuck Shumer can give her lessons.

Also she needs to chew gum at her press conferences.

She's originally from Baltimore, not really a California girl.

[Surfer]

So? I'm orginally from So. Jersey, does that make me not really a California boy?

[Scott Dolan]

Originally Posted by Surfer

So? I'm orginally from So. Jersey, does that make me not really a California boy?

Yes.

It would be like all those goddamn yankees that lived in Florida for a few years and called themselves Floridians.

Bah!!!

If you ain't born there, you ain't no fucking native.

Period.

End of story.

Thank you, and goodnight!

[groover]

Originally Posted by Surfer

So? I'm orginally from So. Jersey, does that make me not really a California boy?

Yes, though I imagine you've overcome the instinct to head East for the beach by now.

[patricia]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Yes.

It would be like all those goddamn yankees that lived in Florida for a few years and called themselves Floridians.

Bah!!!

If you ain't born there, you ain't no fucking native.

Period.

End of story.

Thank you, and goodnight!

My late mother told me about a town meeting in Scotland at which distribution of municipal funds was to be decided. A man who was about eighty years old stood up to give his opinion. Nobody remembered him not being a resident of the village.
The rebuttal by somebody else at the meeting was that he shouldn't have his opinion considered because, after all, "He wasn't born here."

[Scott Dolan]

Nice try, particia.

[lynn]

If you manage to outlive the natives who the hell cares.

[patricia]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Nice try, particia.

I told it only to illustrate the point that in any community there are relatively few residents who were actually born there. A town's population is a fluid thing and I think that those who choose to make their home somewhere are to be commended for their wish to be considered part of that community.
For the most part, they are assets, not liabilities.

I have lived in several cities and towns in my lifetime and every time I moved, I attempted to become involved in my community, as well as involving my children in community activities. Many who were born in a town pay little attention to town projects. Perhaps they should be run out of town on a rail.

[lynn]

Fox news is all over this item like it's monkeys flying out of Bush's arse. By January it will already be forgotten.

[groover]

It's not so much where you were born as where you were raised that has a significant impact on your attitudes and behavior, Patricia. Pelosi has certainly been in the Golden State long enough to identify with it and adequately represent that constituency, but her formative years were spent in Baltimore. Anyone who takes her for a laid-back flower-child is "misunderestimating" her.

[patricia]

Originally Posted by groover

It's not so much where you were born as where you were raised that has a significant impact on your attitudes and behavior, Patricia. Pelosi has certainly been in the Golden State long enough to identify with it and adequately represent that constituency, but her formative years were spent in Baltimore. Anyone who takes her for a laid-back flower-child is misunderestimating her.

Exactly my point, groover.

Now, CNN is talking about the failure of Murtha's not being elected.
Hoyer was the choice of the party.
If anything is to be criticized, it may be Pelosi's support of Murtha's candidacy.
But, nobody can deny that Murtha had the guts to speak up about Iraq when nobody else did.
But, Hoyer raised a lot of money for the party, so I suppose that counted for a lot when it came to the party's decision.

[Captain Hate]

Originally Posted by Surfer

So? I'm orginally from So. Jersey, does that make me not really a California boy?

You are *very* California.

[jesus marion joseph]

Originally Posted by lynn

Fox news is all over this item like it's monkeys flying out of Bush's arse. By January it will already be forgotten.

I doubt it'll be remembered next week.

[Surfer]

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

You are *very* California.

New Jersey is the California of the East Coast.

[Scott Dolan]

Originally Posted by jesus marion joseph

I doubt it'll be remembered next week.

I've pretty much forgotten it already.

[Surfer]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

It would be like all those goddamn yankees that lived in Florida for a few years and called themselves Floridians.

Florida is the California of the south.

[Scott Dolan]

Unfortunately.