Pelosi supports Murtha for majority leader

[Stephanie]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Likely House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will back prominent Iraq war critic John Murtha over her current deputy for majority leader in the Democratic-led Congress, Murtha's office announced Sunday.

In a letter released by Murtha's office, Pelosi told the Pennsylvania congressman that his surprise call for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq in 2005 "changed the national debate and helped make Iraq the central issue of this historic election."

"Your leadership gave so many Americans, including respected military leaders, the encouragement to voice their own disapproval at a failed policy that weakens our military and makes stability in that region even more difficult to achieve," she wrote.

Pelosi, the San Francisco congresswoman who currently serves as House minority leader, is expected to become speaker when the new Congress meets in January.

Shortly after Democrats claimed control of the House of Representatives in last week's elections, Murtha re-launched a previously announced bid to seek the majority leader's post. It was a challenge to Steny Hoyer, the current Democratic whip.(Watch analysis of Pelosi challenges in the new Congress -- 2:12 )

Hoyer, of Maryland, said Sunday in a written statement that Pelosi's endorsement of his rival was no surprise.

But he predicted he would win the job.

"Nancy told me some time ago that she would personally support Jack," Hoyer said. "I respect her decision, as the two are very close. 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."

Hoyer, from suburban Washington, has been minority whip since 2002.

A former Marine colonel with close ties to the military, Murtha stunned much of Washington when he called for a swift U.S. pullout a year ago.

He is the ranking Democrat on the House subcommittee that oversees military spending and supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq, but declared the war had no military solution.

He said he wanted to avoid "another Vietnam."

"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," Murtha said in a statement accompanying Pelosi's letter.

"Last Tuesday, the American people spoke and the message could not be clearer: We need a new direction," he said.

Hoyer opposed Murtha's call to withdraw American troops from Iraq within six months, warning that a swift pullout "could lead to disaster."

But Hoyer has joined Democratic calls for President Bush to change course in the unpopular war, which has left more than 2,800 U.S. troops and tens of thousands of Iraqis dead.

Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina, chairman of the Democratic caucus and former head of the Congressional Black Caucus, last Tuesday said he would bid to be majority whip.

House Democrats have set November 16 as the date for elections for their new leadership. House Republicans will choose a leader the next day.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/12/pelosi.murtha/index.html

 

[theHawk]

Here we go, the inmates are going to be running the asylum. :fifty:

 

[glockmail]

Lets just hope that The President finds his veto pen.

 

[Little-Acorn]

Lets just hope that The President finds his veto pen.

Won't do him much good. The Dems can simply refuse to fund the troops any more. All they have to do, is bottle up in committee, any bills to further fund the troops. There will be nothing for Bush to veto.

Maybe they'll be nice, and leave enough funding to send ships to bring them home in.

 

[trobinett]

No big deal, let the Dem's have their little "victories".

Putting John Murtha up as Majority leader, will turn out to be, just another, in a long line of Democratic screw ups.

Lets not forget, the man is a TRAITOR, ANY former military man that speaks out against current policy, as a member of Congress, while soldiers are still in country, and a state of war exists, is a traitor.

If I've gotten this wrong, please enlighten me.

His outspokenness will come back home to be his undoing, just like with John Kerry.

 

[glockmail]

..... The Dems can simply refuse to fund the troops any more. .....

Is there a historic pecedent for this? Congress telling the Prez to pound sand like that?

 

[dilloduck]

Won't do him much good. The Dems can simply refuse to fund the troops any more. All they have to do, is bottle up in committee, any bills to further fund the troops. There will be nothing for Bush to veto.

Maybe they'll be nice, and leave enough funding to send ships to bring them home in.

Excellent point ! Now that they have the power to do that I don't want to hear any more bitching. If they want the troops home they need to do it or shut the hell up. Notice how quiet all the critics have been since the election?

 

[glockmail]

Excellent point ! Now that they have the power to do that I don't want to hear any more bitching. If they want the troops home they need to do it or shut the hell up. Notice how quiet all the critics have been since the election?

They won't do a damn thing. Get ready for one excuse after another. Too good an issue to use to bash Bush.

 

[dilloduck]

They won't do a damn thing. Get ready for one excuse after another. Too good an issue to use to bash Bush.

Then they have shot themselves in the foot again---oh damn.

 

[glockmail]

Then they have shot themselves in the foot again---oh damn.

Only because the Republicans have no more toes left.:bangheads