November 16, 2006
On The Hoyer Victory
In the private Democratic conference meeting, Pelosi made a personal appeal for Murtha, arguing that his turn-around on the Iraq war made it possible for Democrats to win the elections.
When a smiling, ebulliant-sounding Pelosi introduced her new team, she admitted that Hoyer's victory was "stunning."
But, she said. "We've had our debate. We've had our disagremeents in that room. Now, that is over. As we say in church, let their be peace on earth and let it begin with us."
Hoyer and Pelosi extended their hands at the same moment, and Hoyer raised them in the air.
Murtha explained his defeat this way: "I didn't have the votes." As a consolation prize, he said he's just go back to "my small subcommittee that I have" -- referring to the defense appropriations committee, which isn't small and has more power than many full committees.
Posted at 12:33 PM
Comments
Noting all the coverage of this development as evidence the Dems have failed before they even started, I can't help suspecting that if it were Karl Rove instead of Nancy Pelosi at the center of this, pundits would be talking about his genius in backing Murtha - thereby responding to the anti-war grassroots / netroots - while knowing that Hoyer was far enough ahead in pledged support that it wouldn't put his win in jeapordy. Thus rebel grassroots gets something (Murtha support) that costs the insiders nothing (Hoyer still gets the job). And on top of that, Pelosi showed loyalty to Murtha, thereby not alienating him (and really, who would want to be on the receiving end of an angry Murtha?)
I say well done. But good grief, let's not let success stand in the way of us stabbing ourselves in our own back, over and over and over again. That's much more fun.
n. miller | 11.16.06 01:42 PM
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This story is less about the Democrats having a real contest for that job than it is about the "news" media wanting to show them who's boss.
If there hadn't been a contest for the job, then the media's theme would have been to compare Pelosi to Saddam Hussein: Iron-fisted Stalinist dictator running the House like her personal puppet.
One way or the other the message is this: Better play ball with us. We can make life difficult.
Will | 11.16.06 05:22 PM
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