Hoyer A Winner Without Pelosi's Support

He'll Be #2 Among House Dems; Key Posts Go To Clyburn, Emanuel

(CBS/AP)  He didn't have the endorsement of incoming Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, but he did have the votes, and when the dust settled, Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer was elected as the next House Majority Leader.

Pelosi had instead endorsed longtime ally Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, but the vote wasn't even close: Hoyer trounced Murtha by an overwhelming 149 to 86.

Democrats Thursday voting to fill in the blanks for their party's leadership roles when they officially take control of Congress in January selected James Clyburn of South Carolina as Majority Whip, the No. 3 leadership post. Clyburn is the second black in history to rise that high in the party leadership: former Rep. William Gray of Pennsylvania held the same title from 1989-91.

Campaign chairman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois will be chairman of the Democratic Caucus, the No. 4 party leadership position in the House - a reward for his efforts in leading the party back into the majority in his role as chairman of the House Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Also Thursday, House Republicans, soon to be in the minority for the first time since 1994, met in private to hear presentations from candidates for their party's leadership posts. Their election is set for Friday, with the spotlight on what has evolved into a race between Majority Leader John Boehner and and Rep. Mike Pence, to fill the House GOP leadership role being vacated by Rep. Dennis Hastert.

Among the Democrats, for Hoyer, the vote that will make him House Majority Leader was a personal triumph.

This wasn't really about politics or policy, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss. It was personal, about power and loyalty. Hoyer was the longtime number two, with strong support and had been widely expected to move up. Pelosi nonetheless endorsed Murtha, a leading voice against the Iraq war who has been more loyal to her over the years.

Asked if she regrets the decision to take sides in the leadership race, Pelosi said Thursday: "I am not a person who has regrets."

"Steny [Hoyer] knows that I have to be who I am," she added. "I am a person who is committed to ending this war."

Hoyer meanwhile is expressing his enthusiasm for the road ahead. "Our caucus is unified today," said Hoyer. "I intend to do everything in my power to make Pelosi the most effective Speaker in the history of the Congress."

"Nancy and I have worked together for four years, closely and effectively, and we have created the most unified caucus in the last half century," said Hoyer. "It was not that somebody was rejected today, it was that a team - that had been successful - was asked to continue to do that job."

Wisconsin Rep. Dave Obey, who will chair the Appropriations Committee, said the divisions exposed by the leadership contest will not be a problem for Pelosi.

"There's such universal respect and affection for Nancy. She's gutsy as hell and she's willing to take a chance... push the envelope," said Obey. "It was bitter between the two candidates, I suppose, but it wasn't bitter among the members of the caucus. People get over this stuff."

Murtha, who had been jockeying for position with Hoyer for months, kept his comments at a minimum Thursday, deadpanning that he will now "go back to my small subcommittee."

It's really not that small.

Murtha will chair the powerful defense subcommittee with responsibility for the war in Iraq and the Pentagon budget. "Nancy asked me to set a policy for the Democratic Party, said Murtha, referring to pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq. "Most of the party signed onto it."

[peterbaldwin-2009]

The current Rovian spin is that selection of Murtha majority leader is a no-win situation, something widely parroted by a craven media.

It may be a no-win in the eyes of the pundits, but Murtha's selection will be a triumph for the American people who expect the Dems to get us out of Iraq pronto and a defeat for the warmongers. Hoyer is just too weak on the war issue.

Murtha was devastating and on point with Chris Matthews: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15026624/

[rsoxfan1123]

peterbaldwin- Yes he was. And his knowledge of the situation in Iraq, not to mention his military expertise in general (no pun intended), are the perfect combination to extract our nation from the quagmire that bush and his cronies have wedged us in. The neocons know that their plan to remain in Iraq, spend hundreds of billions more, lose thosuands more limbs of American kids and allow a few oil barons to make some more moeny before Junior gets out of office will face a serious challenge in Murtha. As a nation we voted for change. If change is what we want, Murtha would seem to be the best choice.

[peterbaldwin-2009]

State of Denial points out how military "realists" were shunted aside with their recommendations of 500,000 troops to pacify Iraq after the initial push. What Woodward chronicles is astounding as to the degree of incompetence and bungling from Bush on down that mirrors what happened after Katrina struck.

Bush is up to his smoke and mirrors act when he proposes 20,000 additional troops to turn the tide. For McCain's additional troops proposal to make sense, We would need probably another 300,000 troops on the ground. Quite simply, without a major commitment from other countries, it can't be done.

[oleander8]

Here we are again - back to politics as usual. Murtha is ethically challenged - and for Pelosi to endorse him does not bode well for her claims to bring ethics back to the House.

[cathaleen]

I think it'll be fun to watch the Dems fight among themselves. It's a relief from the constant whining.

[peterbaldwin-2009]

rsoxfan:

We sure are at a critical juncture with repect to ending this war in the next year. With Hoyer in the Dems are finished.

Reed and Whitehouse in the senate hopefully will weigh in forcefully. The Kerry-Feingold amendment was a lost opportunity. Congress needs to take back its constitutionally imbued war making powers form the Executive. Anyone who votes for continued funding for this war must be voted out of office. American's will remember.

[oleander8]

Dems have always fought amongst themselves. They encourage diverse opinions - unlike the sheep on the other side of the aisle.

[getcentered]

peterbaldwin:

and

oleander8:

Yes, I agree with your comments.

The media is portraying a "fight" where there really is none.
Go Murtha!

[getcentered]

Oh... and rsoxfan1123.

Nice one too.

[huskerarmy]

"I think it'll be fun to watch the Dems fight among themselves. It's a relief from the constant whining."

Oh "Whining" again... Where's the "Dems have no plan?" If only we could get some relief from the broken record, Carl Rove talking points and hollow slogans...

[rsoxfan1123]

peterbaldwin-If the executive power is to declare war bad, imagine bush with a line item veto. He tried for that one, too. I still have the transcript of his speech where he declared he wanted to colonize mars. This was BEFORE his re-election. I do not understand how the American people could vote an idiot like this back in, but apparently after six years we have figured this out, finally. Putting the democrats in power is not enough to institute the change we voted for. People like Bolton need to be removed and Murtha put in place for change to truly exist.

[rsoxfan1123]

to declare war is bad I meant

[rsoxfan1123]

FARTKNOCKER- your name says it all. anyone that wanted to be taken seriously would be smarter than to pick a name like that....and in all caps, like you're shouting it. you voted for bush, no doubt.

[b4815]

Now that is one scary pic!!

[huskerarmy]

"Now that is one scary pic!!"

Well when you're out of ideas, you can always resort to insults and name calling...

[b4815]

Kinda like all of your name calling buddies on the left...huh?...huskerarmy.

[peterbaldwin-2009]

I thought I heard it all with OJ's "Kill and Tell"
3.5 mil scam.

First we have the generals, like a Bodysnatchers sequel, doing White House talking points on the horrors of coitus interruptus from Iraq.

Today we have Karl Rove extending his thought control over the media with an La Times report that we should not leave Iraq because...get this...the Iranians don't want us to. Apparently, the Iranians would like us to stay there for a bit longer...let's say, 20 years.

[perception5]

My God .........what have we done!!

[b4815]

It's what the left wingnuts did!!!

[osidebear]

The more I learn about Speaker-elect Pelosi and the more I hear her speak, the more I like her. And I think this is why Republicans tend to revile her so much. She is poised to make history as a powerful, Democratic woman.

[perception5]

Yeah, I would love to hear more about her California wine plantation......... you know where she's hired illegals and doesn't even pay them a "living wage". This from a woman and party that wants to make Americans believe that their for poor people......... yeah right!

[meboard]

Hear, hear for Speaker Pelosi!!! It's about time the old-boy network get's broken up. It's what I call progress for America!!! One day, we'll actually live up to our cry that we are all equal, but sadly we're not there yet!!!!
Slow, incremental steps forward belabored by the ball and chain (conservative right).

[one_american]

"we will not be dazzled by money and special interests.", says Pelosi.

"We are actually quite jaded to money and special interest, since we see it all the time, and love to play the pay-to-play game in Washington. And our constituents love us for it, too. We are different than the Republicans, because we are never held responsible for what we do by the public, and certainly not by the press".

[rafterman1]

While having Nancy Pelosi lose such an early battle in Hoyer geting selected is not a good sign, I'm glad it happened. Murtha is a notorious pork spender and Dems need to tell the world (and maybe Nancy Pelosi too) that Dems are going to make a serious effort to curb the special interest influence in Washington. Votes should be made on what's right for the country, not what special interests you can get for selling your vote. That may be a naive view, but Congress is nothing more than a bunch of millionaires trading money among each other and I'm sick of all this cr*p already. It's time for public funding of campaigns. Special interests financing - illegal. And no Supreme Court, despite how you ruled, money is not free speech.

[one_american]

PELOSI LOSES, DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP WEAKENED!

[oleander8]

Can't help but think Pelosi's loyalty was misplaced. Her first loyalty should have been to the good of the party - and Murtha, second.

[marcodele]

Oh get over Pelosi's vineyard. You think the Bush dynasty in Texas, Florida and Maine hasn't had a few illegals shining the family silver over the years? I think Jeb even married one.
So Pelosi owns a vineyard. Did her family fortune come from selling Union Bank to the Nazis? Did she sit on the board of Silverado Savings and Loan, take the money, rob the retirees of every penny they had, then split? Did she run a phony Harken oil company, take 500K as a salary then declare bankruptcy while the employees lost their pensions? If you're looking for shady crooked deals on behalf of the weathy and greedy, your own "compassionate conservative family values" party could write an encyclopedia on the subject.

[pakaal]

Pelosi needed to acknowledge Murtha's contribution to the Democrat victory, so she nominated him and whipped up some votes. Murtha was defeated 2-1 - as expected - and Hoyer's won. Life goes on.

[fairandbal]

Wow, the GOP can nominate a white racist to the no2 position of the Senate and that's not a big deal. Dem's have a discussion about who should lead and that's a major failure of the party.
Yeah, CBS reporting is fair and balanced all right.

[bluestardad]

Now Hoyer will toe the line with President Bush and the Stay the Course policy. You could see this coming. Hoyer is Bushs Man Friday!

[rsoxfan1123]

As much as I hate to agree with one_american on absolutely anything, he is right. This does weaken democratic leadership. I don't believe Pelosi would nominate Murtha out of duty, knowing he would fail, pakaal. No one in their right mind would want to begin her position with an apparent failure. The democratic party needs to organize itself. They will lose more respect by not following their leader than they would've by nominating Murtha, a respected Viet Nam veteran and a major authoritative voice against the Iraq invasion. I respect Pelosi and trust her judgment. This will weaken her in the eyes of the republicans.

[rsoxfan1123]

bluestardad-unfortunately, you may well be right.

[rsoxfan1123]

FARTKNOCKER2-the democrats are trying to undo the mess the republicans have made by bogging us down in Iraq. Rather than cirticizing how slowly the process is moving and the difficulty with which it is undertaken, realize that is is YOUR mess and own it. After all, Bush's real exit strategy is to leave office and let the next guy worry about it.

[clestes-2009]

The American people expect Pelosi and Hoyer to put their differences aside and work together to start solving the problems facing us today. Problems caused by the GOP who sold out Congress and the American people for the last 12 years.

Why not give them a chance to do so without second guessing and imaging problems that are not even a reality? The elections have been over for a whole 8 days. It will take a lot longer than that to get anything solved.

[rsoxfan1123]

another difference your republicans will notice between the democrats and yourselves is the dems will examine their own leadership closely and discuss various decisions, the wisdom with which certain decisions are made etc. This is very foreign to republicans, who are typically mindless FOX zombies that repeat the mantras of their leaders anywhere and everywhere.

[rsoxfan1123]

ozilot- I hope you're right. I am afraid bluestardad may have the hit the nail on the head-he is a military officer. Murtha was a strong force for pulling out of Iraq, but you are one of the posters that thought troop increase was not such a bad idea and you ooposed withdrawl. Murtha probably wouldn't be your favorite.

[perception5]

Yeah....... hecka-of-a-job DEMs fighting right off the bat!!!!!!
Nancy will get Hoyer back.........for this.... slam dunk!

[huskerarmy]

"You lack of not being able to stop name calling and back stabbing brings chill bumps."

First, You're kiding right? The GOP wrote the book on insult and name calling, e.g. - cut and run, tax and spend, limousine liberal, et al.

Second, "...lack of not being able...?"

[webdepot]

Good post Pakaal and I agree with your statement.
Sometimes, actually most times, I wish politics worked a little bit less on the "favors" system and a little bit more on what's good for all..... in all parties..
The democratic party has remained a diverse party, something a long time ago both parties could claim. In my life, I have voted for many moderate and liberal Republicans as well as Democrats.
I think the part that bothers me the most, is the right cannot seem to comprehend the actual benefits to the poor and middle class that diversity in politics provides.
When there is diversity, there is compromise; when there is compromise, there is something good for everyone. No one gets everything they wanted, but all get some of what they wanted. It's a very simple concept.
Rather than, as the Republican party has been for the past decade at least, where everyone falls into line and lockstep with the boss.
That's when you get legislation like tax breaks, but only for the rich; environmental legislation, that benefits ONLY the large companies; legislation that diminishes our rights, and on and on, ad infinitum.
It's really a shame so many people in this country are so narrow minded.

[one_american]

Barney Frank sez: "She's a very smart woman who made an error in judgment."

Maybe she's a very stupid woman, doing the best she can. Give her a break!

[rsoxfan1123]

or "stay the course" dems struck a blow by keeping murtha out.

[tinker3478]

Part of our party's problem is fragmentation so this doesn't really surprise me. I have visions of 7-8 people up for President in 2008. Come on. ladies and gentlemen, get the act together.

[jhindson1]

Good for ethics,
Murtha is on the CREW corrupt list

[ronniehm]

"The GOP wrote the book on insult and name calling, e.g. - cut and run, tax and spend, limousine liberal, et al."

Wow, those are some really harsh examples you came up with. Of course they're all critical of policies, as opposed to "Bush is Hitler" or Republicans are all "mindless FOX zombies" which are just plain old personal attacks.

[rsoxfan1123]

RonnieHM- there are similarities between bush and hitler's policies. using a metaphor is perhaps inappropriate, perhaps not. generalizing all neocons as party zombies is probably not fair, but true in the mian.

[rsoxfan1123]

true in the main I meant

[ronniehm]

"there are similarities between bush and hitler's policies."

No there aren't. That's ridiculous.

[perception5]

webdepot, nice glowing review of your party the DEMs the only problem is the history books say this about your party:

From the 1860's to the 1960's White Southern DEMOCRATS ruled the south and blacks with an iron fist. They beat and murdered blacks that wanted to exercise the freedoms that Abe Lincoln granted them. Democrats also founded the KKK to which the most senior active Democrat in America belonged to, Robert Byrd.
Democrats were the party that suppressed the blacks historically........ you won't find any pictures of Republicans standing in the doorways of schools in the south blocking the entry of black students.
It was IKE, who in the 1950's had to send Federal troops in the South to enforce "Brown vs. Board of Education......... because the DEMOCRATS in the south would not obey the Supreme Court ruling.
Regarding the 1964 Civil Right Act it was the Republican senators that voted by nearly 90% to approve of this act. Nearly 40% of the Democratic senators that voted AGAINST the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Yeah%u2026.. don%u2019t forget JFK and Robert Kennedy%u2019s illegal wiretapping of Martin Luther King Jr.
And finally, Al Gore Jr.'s father Al Gore Sr. voted AGAINST the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Our corrupt liberal MSM might protect you against these facts and censor this information in today's news........... but I'm not....

[rsoxfan1123]

both favored pre-emptive strikes against an enemy they felt would one day be a threat. hitler-france, bush-iraq. pre-emptive strikes violate the geneva convention as a result. they also favored warantless wiretapping enemie sof the state and media control. also monitoring bank accounts of internal enemies of the state.

[ronniehm]

"generalizing all neocons as party zombies is probably not fair, but true in the main."

Is it so hard to believe that a bunch of people feel the same way about certain things and they all joined the same party? Why does it always have to be the other way around? Apparently you think the only way someone can disagree with you is if they're being brainwashed or they're stupid.