posted on November 9, 2006 06:40:44 PM new
from 'Roll Call'
Hoyer, Murtha Battle
By Jennifer Yachnin and John Bresnahan
Roll Call Staff
November 9, 2006
As Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) pledged Wednesday to rule the House fairly in the 110th Congress as the first-ever female Speaker, a handful of senior Democrats moved aggressively to secure other leadership posts in their nascent majority.
One day after Democrats decisively seized control of the chamber from the GOP, one of the architects of that victory — Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) — remained mum about his plans despite speculation that he could run for Majority Whip.
Current Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) was not similarly hesitant, formally announcing his bid for the Majority Leader's office early Wednesday morning and confidently predicting that he will secure the post when Democrats vote in leadership election on Nov. 16.
"I think I'm going to win," Hoyer said in an interview Wednesday. The Maryland lawmaker, who has served as Minority Whip since 2003, said "over a majority" of House incumbents as well as newly-elected lawmakers "have indicated that they would be supportive of me."
But Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) — who stunned fellow lawmakers when he announced in June that he would campaign for the Majority Leader post against Hoyer — re-affirmed his own interest in the office Wednesday.
"I'm working diligently now trying to convince people that I'd make a good balance" to the leadership team, Murtha said in an interview with National Public Radio.
The Pennsylvania lawmaker declined to be interviewed for this article.
Murtha, who is the ranking member of the House Appropriations subcommittee on Defense, also defended his decision to seek the leadership post, asserting that not only is the office an "open seat" in the new Congress, but arguing that he outranks Hoyer in the Caucus hierarchy.
"There's Nancy Pelosi, [Appropriations Committee ranking member Rep.] Dave Obey (D-Wis.) and myself, and then Hoyer is listed after me in the power plays," Murtha said on NPR.
That assertion bewildered at least one Democratic House lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity: "In my mind that shows a lack of understanding. I like Mr. Murtha but that's not just the way it is."
"There is real genuine concern that we don't want to see a divisive leadership fight, just at the time that we're seeing tremendous success and tremendous unity and harmony and good feelings in the Caucus," the lawmaker added.
Although some Democratic lawmakers have acknowledged their support for one of the would-be Majority Leaders, neither Hoyer nor Murtha have released lists of backers.
Hoyer asserted Wednesday that doing so could create unnecessary divisions in the Caucus heading into the new session.
"My object is to keep our Caucus unified ... so I'm not going to put out any lists," added Hoyer, who is expected to receive the support of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition, as well as the New Democratic Coalition.
A group of senior lawmakers representing a broad cross-section of the Caucus — including Reps. Barney Frank (Mass.), John Dingell (Mich.), Henry Waxman (Calif.), Ellen Tauscher (Calif.), Ike Skelton (Mo.), John Lewis (Ga.), Lucille Roybal-Allard (Calif.) and James Oberstar (Minn.) — issued their own letter Wednesday urging fellow Democrats to back Hoyer's bid.
"Steny ... has been an instrumental part of our leadership team, reaching out to all elements of our diverse Caucus and helping to bring Democrats together," the letter stated. "Our continued unity is imperative, and we believe that the leadership team that brought us to this point should continue to lead us in the new Majority."
In addition, the significant time Hoyer has spent over the past two years building a base of support among junior Democrats, including challengers and open-seat candidates, by raising money and making campaign visits to 80 districts, appears ready to pay dividends, as several Members-elect confirmed Wednesday that they will cast ballots for the Maryland lawmaker next week.
"I watched Steny Hoyer for the last few months," said Rep.-elect Albio Sires (D-N.J.), one of several incoming House Democrats who now support Hoyer's bid. "He has worked very hard to keep the Caucus unified and worked on electing new Members. ... I think he has real authentic qualities that earn him a lot of support."
Rep.-elect Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.) said Murtha called him on Tuesday night, but he was still backing Hoyer, whom he first met in early 2005.
"It's like in anything — when you establish a relationship of trust, it makes the decision easier," Ellsworth said.
"Congressman Hoyer was one of the first people in April '05 that I met with when I went to [Washington, D.C.] to decide if I was going to run. Since that time, I have been in contact with him a dozen times or more. ... It just feels more natural due to the relationship that we have that I would support him."
Ellsworth said Murtha called him on Tuesday night to congratulate him on his victory over Rep. John Hostettler (R-Ind.), but has had no other contact with the Pennsylvania Democrat. "It was on Election Night, a short conversation to congratulate me," Ellsworth said.
Hoyer gave nearly $14,000 to Ellsworth's campaign, while Murtha donated $4,000.
While House lawmakers backing Murtha acknowledge that he does not have one particular base of support, they claim that Murtha will instead draw endorsements from across the Caucus.
"It's not a factionalized race," Rep. Mike Capuano (D-Mass.), a Murtha backer, said Wednesday.
The Massachusetts lawmaker also added that he has advised Members-elect not to offer endorsements in the race prior to arriving in Washington next week for an organizational meeting of the Caucus
"My hope is that not a single new Member would spend a single second thinking about these leadership races before Tuesday," Capuano said.
In addition to the Majority Leader competition, Democrats could see a contest for control of the third-ranking post of Majority Whip.
Although House Democratic Caucus Chairman James Clyburn (D-S.C.) remained the only active candidate for the post Wednesday evening it is possible that Emanuel, who has said he will not serve a second term as DCCC chairman, will make a bid for the office.
Appearing at a press briefing Wednesday, Emanuel declined to discuss his plans, asserting that he wanted to confer with fellow lawmakers before issuing a decision. "Give me 24 hours more to decide," he said.
But even if Emanuel decides against challenging Clyburn for the post, the South Carolina lawmaker could still face competition. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), the current Chief Deputy Minority Whip, has not spoken publicly about her interest in the post, but is nonetheless expected to enter the race if Emanuel does not.
Clyburn officially announced his bid Wednesday in a letter to fellow lawmakers — although he began actively seeking endorsements in mid-October — touting his previous leadership experience, including chairing the Congressional Black Caucus as well as serving three years as the Democratic Caucus vice chairman.
"You run for the next office by serving well in the office you hold," Clyburn said during the DCCC's election watch party Tuesday night.
In the meantime, Pelosi, who is expected to ascend to the Speaker's office in January when Democrats take control of the House, has demurred on whether she will offer her own endorsement in the leadership races, asserting at a Wednesday press conference that Democrats first needed to finalize the outcome of several races.
"Democrats pledge civility and bipartisanship," Pelosi said at a midday press conference, her first in the wake of the Tuesday victory. "Democrats are not about getting even," she later added. "Democrats are about helping America get ahead." Some Democratic strategists have suggested Pelosi should intervene in the Hoyer-Murtha contest in order to avoid a divisive inter-party squabble so soon after a major electoral victory, but the California Democrat has not done so yet.
"I think that this has to play out on its own," said a top House Democratic staffer, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Another senior House aide said Pelosi "was staying on the sidelines" and has not indicated any willingness to take sides.
Murtha has won kudos from many in the party for his opposition to President Bush on the Iraq War, despite intense criticism from House and Senate GOP leaders, as well as conservative commentators.
Hoyer, while not close to Pelosi personally, has raised millions of dollars for Democratic candidates and incumbents, and spent extensive time on the road this election cycle, all of which earned him support within the Democratic Caucus.
In the interim, Democrats will hold an organizational meeting Tuesday, one of the first steps as the Caucus prepare to take over the majority party role it last held in 1994.
According to Capuano, who has overseen a review of the internal Caucus rules in recent months, Democrats will vote Tuesday on a new package of guidelines, covering everything from the selection of committee chairmen to more mundane regulations.
"There's no real shake-up in these rules, the real shake-up will come in the House rules," Capuano said.
Senior House Democratic aides said Pelosi and other Democratic leaders have otherwise done almost no preparatory work on taking over physical control of the House.
Pelosi has not appointed a trusted Democrat to oversee the transition to Democratic rule, a tactic former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) employed when the GOP won control of the House in the 1994 midterm elections.
Pelosi was very sensitive to accusations by President Bush and other Republican leaders that Democrats "were measuring the drapes" at the Capitol for a takeover, they purposely delayed any transition planning.
"[Pelosi] put the nix on anyone doing the transition," said a high-ranking Democratic aide.
Bush did telephone both Pelosi and Hoyer early Wednesday morning — he joked at a press conference that he had given Pelosi "the name of some Republican interior decorators who can help her pick out the drapes in her new office" — and the Democratic leaders are scheduled to have lunch at the White House today.
"I had a very cordial conversation," Hoyer said of his conversation with Bush. "Over the next two years, he wants to work together. If that's the posture he takes, we want to do the same."
====
Nicole Duran contributed to this report.
While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation:
What would a Democrat president have done at that point? Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack.
Ann Coulter
posted on November 9, 2006 08:28:32 PM new
Yeah, like this is somehow an exclusively Democratic trait.
____________________________________________
Grow your own Dope. Plant a Republican.
posted on November 9, 2006 11:46:05 PM new
It's not fighting as linda,
the star in the new movie "The Sour Grapes of Wrath",
thinks it is....it's business as usual on the hill. It's how things are done. But linda has shown in the past an abysmal lack of knowledge about how our government works so this doesn't surprise me.
posted on November 10, 2006 08:12:28 AM new
When the 104th United States Congress convened in January 1995, House Republicans voted former Minority Whip Newt Gingrich – the chief architect of their historic victory and author of the Contract with America – Speaker of the House, while the new senatorial Republican majority chose Bob Dole, previously Minority Leader, as Majority Leader. With their newfound power, Republicans pursued an ambitious agenda in accordance with their conservative beliefs, but were often forced to compromise with President Clinton, who wielded veto power
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on November 10, 2006 08:20:18 AM new
Chafee may leave GOP after Senate loss
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Two days after losing a bid for a second term, Sen. Lincoln Chafee said he was unsure whether he would remain a Republican.
Chafee lost to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse in a race seen as a referendum on President Bush and the GOP. On Thursday, he was asked whether he would stick with the Republican Party or become an independent or Democrat.
"I haven't made any decisions. I just haven't even thought about where my place is," Chafee said at a news conference. When pressed on whether his comments indicated he might leave the GOP, he replied: "That's fair."
Chafee, 53, is a lifelong Republican who has represented Rhode Island for seven years. His father held the same seat for 23 years before that.
He is the most liberal Republican in the Senate and was the sole Senate Republican to vote against the war in Iraq. But that was not enough to prevail against Whitehouse, who shared many of Chafee's views but was a Democrat in a heavily Democratic state.
Absolute faith has been shown, consistently, to breed intolerance. And intolerance, history teaches us, again and again, begets violence.
---------------------------------- The duty of a patriot in this time and place is to ask questions, to demand answers, to understand where our nation is headed and why. If the answers you get do not suit you, or if they frighten you, or if they anger you, it is your duty as a patriot to dissent. Freedom does not begin with blind acceptance and with a flag. Freedom begins when you say 'No.'
posted on November 10, 2006 10:51:32 AM new
LOL.....Chafee
No loss at all. He should have been honest and just said he was really a liberal democrat.
He's been a RINO and those who aren't ignorant have KNOWN that for years. IF they watched his votes...they would have seen he almost always voted WITH the democrats.
Again...Chafee....just another RINO. Even though you liberals here have pretended/implied ALL republicans are neo-cons. LOL
Again, you prove how wrong you have been. You're doing great logansdad and DISproving most of what the liberals here have falsely accused the republicans of being. LOL
While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation:
What would a Democrat president have done at that point? Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack.
Ann Coulter
posted on November 10, 2006 04:40:26 PM new
The Washington Times speaks about the "first" internal fighting in the dem party.
It appears to be between the anti-war left...and the more conservative/moderate left in the dem party.
They're DIVIDED....and have been for quite a while now on this issue.
2 Democrats vie for House No. 2
By Charles Hurt
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 10, 2006
House Democrats face their first major internal battle since Tuesday's stunning victory, a fight that pits some of the chamber's anti-war Democrats against the ideological center of their party.
Rep. Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, now the No. 2 Democrat in the caucus and thus in line to hold the majority leader's post, faces a challenge from Rep. John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, who has come to represent the party's anti-war movement because of his strong critique of the Bush administration's handling of the war.
Though Mr. Murtha is otherwise a fairly conservative Democrat, his position on the war appeals to many liberals in his ranks and, say Democratic staffers, he has the private blessing of Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the caucus's head and the presumed next House speaker.
Within minutes of Democrats' capturing the 15th seat needed to take control of the House, Mr. Hoyer tried tightening his grip on the majority leader position by reminding fellow Democrats that he had been a central figure in their caucus during their darkest times.
"We have put forward responsible budgets, proposed smarter defense policies, advanced innovative ideas on energy independence and stood strong against the privatization of Social Security," he said. "I have been proud to be a part of all of those efforts every step of the way."
He also has said he has the votes to sew up the No. 2 position.
Mr. Murtha reminded colleagues that his strongest voice in recent years came in opposition to the Iraq war, which strategists on both sides credit in part for Democrats' enormous victories this week.
"Talk is cheap, which is why, up until Iraq forced me to, I didn't do a lot of it," the former Marine told colleagues. "But empty rhetoric is expensive. It has cost America three years in a failed war at nearly three thousand lives lost and will cost us a trillion dollars by the time we can extricate ourselves from it."
While the liberal Mrs. Pelosi must figure out how to unify an increasingly conservative caucus, she addresses the leadership fight for the No. 2 spot gingerly. She's officially staying out of the contest -- which will be decided next week -- but few wonder where she stands.
the rest can be found on today's WA Times website.
While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation:
What would a Democrat president have done at that point? Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack.
Ann Coulter
posted on November 10, 2006 08:21:58 PM new
There's a wide diversity of opinion in the Democratic Party. That's going to lead to disagreements. So what, like Will Rogers (I think it was) said something like "I don't belong to any organized political party, I'm a democrat."
This isn't anything new or noteworthy.
____________________________________________
Grow your own Dope. Plant a Republican.
posted on November 11, 2006 05:32:30 AM new
I NEVER said it was anything NEW.
The anti-war - pull out immediately side - of the dem party and the 'stay the course' - until Iraq is stable' - side of the dem party have LONG been at odds with one another.
This just shows, now that they are in power that the internal struggle is beginning to present a problem between the pelosi liberals and the more conservative/moderate dems.
News reporters have been speculating which 'side' of the dem party will win out.
The power struggle is starting already.
While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation:
What would a Democrat president have done at that point? Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack.
Ann Coulter
posted on November 11, 2006 06:27:20 AM new
Glad to see linda is as cowardly and deluded as she's always been.....and totally naive about the workings of government.
Goosestepping in line is NOT what democracy is all about even though linda thinks it should be because SHE can't think for herself.....(ya, I know, BIG surprise)
Republican right abandoning Bush
45 percent of self-described conservatives disapprove of president
Updated: 8:32 a.m. CT May 5, 2006
WASHINGTON - Angry conservatives are driving the approval ratings of President Bush and the GOP-led Congress to dismal new lows, according to an AP-Ipsos poll that underscores why Republicans fear an Election Day massacre.
Six months out, the intensity of opposition to Bush and Congress has risen sharply, along with the percentage of Americans who believe the nation is on the wrong track.
posted on November 11, 2006 07:19:37 AM new
Let the fighting begin!
Dems. vow to fix Alternative Minimum Tax
The GOP has spent the past six years providing tax cuts for the uber-rich. Meanwhile, more and more middle-class Americans have been slammed by the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Because the AMT didn't affect their constituents, Republicans never fixed it. Democrats are making it a top priority:
Democratic leaders this week vowed to make the alternative minimum tax a centerpiece of next year's budget debate, saying the levy threatens to unfairly increase tax bills for millions of middle-class families by the end of the decade.
The complex and expensive tax was designed to prevent the super-rich from using deductions, credits and other shelters to avoid paying the Internal Revenue Service. But because of rising incomes, the tax is expected to expand to more than 30 million taxpayers in 2010 from 3.8 million mostly well-off households in 2006.
The AMT is a tax increase the GOP was willing to foist on middle class Americans. But there's a new sheriff in town. Finally.
posted on November 11, 2006 07:32:28 AM new
LOL.....See. hellen is AGAIN trying to argue the same POINT both ways.
Her article says "but rising incomes"....
And here....they've been ARGUING all along, that under this administration income has stagnated...or decreased...and all the people are struggling without increases in their income.
LOL
Yep...that's the liberal way....argue the issue which ever way they need to do at the time. :=-D
And the fools who voted for them 'bought' into their LIES.
So...which is it hellen??? LOL LOL LOL
In MY world ones income either increases, stays the same or decreases. That's the REAL world. LOL Not a party who changes how incomes ARE increasing by arguing that under Bush they weren't.
While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation:
What would a Democrat president have done at that point? Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack.
Ann Coulter
Appears ethics takes a back burner to pelosi. lol
===
from the same site:
different article:
November 13, 2006
CREW Blasts Pelosi Endorsement of Unethical Murtha for Majority Leader
Washington, DC -
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) questioned soon-to-be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) commitment to eradicating corruption with her endorsement of one of the most unethical members in Congress, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), to be Majority Leader of the House of Representatives.
Rep. Murtha was listed in CREW's report Beyond DeLay: The 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and five to watch). As reported in the study and by the news media, Rep, Murtha has been involved in a number of pay-to play schemes involving former staffers and his brother, Robert "Kit" Murtha.
Eight incumbents in CREW's report lost their races to ethics issues.
CREW's report can be found at www.beyonddelay.org.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation:
What would a Democrat president have done at that point? Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack.
Ann Coulter
[ edited by Linda_K on Nov 13, 2006 06:11 PM ]
posted on November 13, 2006 07:00:06 PM new
I wonder if beyonddelay.org has considered changing their site name to beyondfoley.org....or beyondhastert.org...or maybe beyondrummy_rove_cheney.org...nah...probly not such a good idea.
____________________________________________
May 1, 2003, America brings "democracy" to Iraq. November 7, 2006, Iraq brings democracy to America.
posted on November 13, 2006 08:04:02 PM new
Well...profe....lol...it proves that even the liberal blogs don't like pelosi's first major decision.
They're upset because she's chosen to side with a CONSERVATIVE....rather than a LIBERAL like the other guy is. For no other reason that murtha called for immediate withdrawal of our troops.
No worries about all the Iraqi's that will be SLAUGHTERED IF they get enough support to do that?
------
The President is still holding FIRM....there will BE no timetable nor immediate withdrawal under HIS watch.
Will pelosi have to do a flip-flop and change her mind on starting IMPEACHMENT proceedings against this President???
Even though she SAID she wouldn't? And any that have called for starting that garbage....SHE'S put her hex on. lol
While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation:
What would a Democrat president have done at that point? Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack.
Ann Coulter
posted on November 14, 2006 09:27:22 AM new
Going to be real interesting to see which side of the dem party 'wins'. The ultra liberal...or more moderate dems.
What they actually DO about Iraq, rather than what they've said they 'want' to do...because they knew that's what the voters wanted to hear....will play out in the not-to-distant future.
Cautious newly-elected Democratic members of Congress are saying they want to wait before taking action to try to force President Bush to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq.
Interviews with several newly elected Democratic House members Monday revealed that they're hoping the commission headed by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Indiana Democratic Rep. Lee Hamilton comes up with an Iraq exit scenario and that they'll not need to vote on cutting off funding for the Iraq operation.
Thursday's vote for House Majority Leader shapes up as a test of Iraq policy.
Rep. John Murtha, an outspoken war critic and an ally of speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi, is vying with Rep. Steny Hoyer, who has said "a precipitous withdrawal of American forces in Iraq could lead to disaster, spawning a civil war, fostering a haven for terrorists and damaging our nation's security and credibility."
Murtha's allies argue that only by electing him would House Democrats heed the directive of the voters last Tuesday (as they interpret it): get out of Iraq.
Murtha saw 'devastating blow' in 2004
Murtha has long been critical of Bush's Iraq policy, saying back in May of 2004, "It would be a devastating international blow to us if we were to get out (of Iraq), but I don't know (if) we have the will to mobilize now that the public has turned against it."
More recently, Murtha has said he supports "bringing our troops home at the earliest practicable date."
"Last Tuesday's election was a referendum on Iraq," said Andrew Koneschusky, spokesman for Murtha's campaign to become majority leader. "Now Iraq is not a campaign issue; it's an issue we must solve; it's a (Democratic) leadership issue; there's no better individual to lead our party during this time given his background.
Jack Murtha's outspokenness set the stage for the Democrats winning back the majority. He helped us deliver the majority; he's the person to lead now that we have power."
In the Senate, under Democratic control starting in January, incoming Armed Services Committee chairman Sen. Carl Levin, D- Mich. said he hoped to form a bipartisan group of senators to pass a resolution urging Bush to begin withdrawing American troops.
"We should pressure the White House to commence the phased redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq in four to six months. and thereby to make it clear to the Iraqis that our presence is not open-ended and that they must make the necessary political compromises to preserve Iraq as a nation," Levin said.
"I'm not prepared to go beyond that," the Michigan Democrat added, fending off talk of resolutions demanding troop withdrawal or cutting off funds for U.S. operations in Iraq.
Last June the Senate, by a 60-39 vote, rejected Levin's non-binding resolution which would have urged Bush to begin the withdrawal of U.S. troops this year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation:
What would a Democrat president have done at that point? Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack.
Ann Coulter
[ edited by Linda_K on Nov 14, 2006 09:31 AM ]
posted on November 14, 2006 10:30:44 AM new
What poor linda will never be able to understand with her limited capacity is that this country was built on dissent....that is a democracy.
It wasn't meant to be, as bushites would like it to be, a monarchy.
AND even smarter Republicans have grown a backbone and are disagreeing with king george.....but linda conveniently doesn't notice
I'm happy to see dissent in our political party...it means people are thinking, are free to voice their opinions...the basis of a DEMOCRACY....you know, what we ALLEGEDLY want to give the Iraqis.
It's sure better than what the Republicans were doing about Iraq....nothing.
)