Letters to the Editor
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Murtha actually a good choice
There may be more than cronyism behind Pelosi's move here; Murtha's pro-second Amendment and anti-abortion stances will take a lot of the edge off of grass-roots opposition to Pelosi. In particular, the NRA has flagged Pelosi as a real danger to gun rights. The selection of Murtha suggests that she is trying to moderate her image as a 'gun-grabber.'
Many people, including Bill Clinton, attribute Gore's narrow loss to the NRA. Gore was a supporter of the NRA until becoming Clinton's running mate, but cozied up to the Sarah Brady contingent for the presidential race. His home state punished him thoroughly for that turn-around, and as a result Florida was the determining factor in his loss. It sounds like Pelosi is heeding that lesson.
If she keeps her focus on Iraq, and doesn't introduce new gun control legislation, she has a much stronger chance of helping the Democrats in 2008. Without active opposition from the NRA, she might even have a crack at the nomination. After all, she has a positive record of real leadership and few of the negatives associated with Hillary.
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More than a power play
This is more than a power play; Pelosi knows that she's been painted to most of the country as a crazy liberal from (gasp) San Francisco. Her endorsement of Murtha says, loud and clear, that she takes seriously her role as Majority Leader, that she's there to serve the nation, not just her own constituents.
Moreover, she knows that the honeymoon will last all of 5 minutes, if that. This raggle-taggle majority of Democrats will have to unite to get things done. She and Murtha may agree on Iraq, but they represent opposite views on many other subjects, (abortion and guns come to mind.) By reaching out to Murtha, she's saying loud and clear that her priorities are crystal-clear: first, Iraq.
I'm proud she's from my state.
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photo composites are for lazy fucktards
Please. If we want to see Weekly World News we'll just pick up a copy at the checkout line.
Enough with the faux bullshit posing of a photo composite.
Labeling it for what it is doesn't make it anything more than what it is. Bullshit.
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Thank you
I for one appreciate the clarity and analysis of this article. And I don't have a problem with composite photos either.
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Oh, come on!
This article sounds like the set-up piece for yet another article. If Murtha wins, it'll be a story on Nancy Pelosi consolidating her power. If Stenny Hoyer wins, it'll be a story on how divided the Democrats in the House are.
I get the idea that Nancy Pelosi is supporting Murtha because she's an old friend of his. But, she has no problems with Stenny Hoyer. And both Murtha and Hoyer understand that and there's no hostility between them now nor is there likely to be whoever wins.
I think this article is a "make-work" piece by its author.
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Not Yet Sworn in and the Democrats are already planning their Demise
I absolutely understand Pelosi's desire/need to ake the edge off of the "liberal" moniker. I also understand that she has a personal obligation to Murtha as well as wanting to put Iraq at the forefront of the agenda.
HOWEVER... One of the primary reasons that Republicans lost (in addition to Iraq) was corruption. And, Jack Murtha is not the face of a new honest congress. He has been dogged by ethics questions for many many years.
It would be a tremendous mistake to vote him as Majority Leader. His questionable ethics and love of the earmark will be easy fodder for the Republican political machine in 2008.
It is unimaginable that the new speaker, who only last week assured us that we could look forward to the most open and honest congress ever would throw her support behind someone dishonest.
I am already disgusted.
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Gutsy Nancy
Pelosi has taken a courageous stand. I applaud her. She has my support, and deserves that of all in progressives and netroots who want the U.S. out of the insane and immoral war in Iraq as soon as possible. I welcome a full, fair, and vigorous debate about all of the domestic issues--abortion, health care, free trade, social security, renewable energy, immigration, gun control, taxes--about which thoughtful, fair-minded Americans all across the political spectrum can respectfully disagree.
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Pelosi's power play
She's being smart - I'll give her credit. She's really tagged as being a liberal, and Murtha has some good strong conservative traits. America is centrist - it's in the middle. Her interest in having Murtha take that position will help the party in being palatable (and hopefully endure for more then 10 minutes this time around).
I pray that the Democrats don't blow it this time. The fringe and satellites always seem to pull either party down. America is going to be fkn dead if we don't grow up and tell a few people to shut up. There's important work to do right now.
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It may be a test of checking accounts rather than...
Follow the money. Would someone please tally the cash (as reported on NPR) that was contributed by Democrats (ie. Murtha, Hoyer, etc.) to the recent races for House and Senate by other Democrat candidates. It may be a test of checking accounts rather than a test of authority or loyalty.
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Pelosi and Obama
I agree with the letter here about Nancy Pelosi having a chance at the presidential nomination. Just today I was thinking they ought to run Barack Obama for president and Nancy for VP. This would be a much more appealing and likely to succeed ticket than Hillary and whoever else (Joe Lieberman?). The Republicans are no doubt praying that the Dems pick Hillary and kill themselves. I hope they're not that dumb. I'm a big fan of Nancy Pelosi and I'm ecstatic that she's finally gotten the position she deserves. We'll see what happens . . .
P.S. I also think she's sexy as hell!
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Sexy as hell?
lsimon33:
You need to turn off CSPAN and get out more.
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And the Problem is?
lsimon33:
You need to turn off CSPAN and get out more.
-- nethead
No he or she doesn't...great comment by lsimon33
DEAL with it!
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Powerplay 101
I will throw my hat into the ring of opinion.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is playing a very astute game. She is supporting Representative Murtha because it is a no-lose situation. She gains support for her show of loyalty to Murtha and from the less liberal factions of the House. But most likely, behind the scenes, she is supporting Representative Hoyer or some other as yet unknown representative. If I was a betting person, I would wager that it is a forgone conclusion the Murtha will not win, nor did he ever have a chance to win. If Murtha was not given Pelosi’s endorsement, he would appear to be out of the loop from the beginning. That would be a politically jeopardous thing to do. However, by receiving Pelosi’s endorsement and losing, Murtha can maintain face and still appear as a powerful entity in the Democratic House. He will be the "leader of a faction".
As implied by the article, Congressional politics is a meshwork of alliances and discordances. Keep in mind, appearances that seem too solidly and too simply constructed are most likely facades. We shall see later this week.