Hoyer will provide the type of leadership that this country needs.  Another strong leader for our party who has worked with Pelosi for years and will continue to move forward our agenda.

Hoyer does vote with Democrats but for that blasted war.  At least they can't be critized for ethics. Faux would have had a field day.

Wouldn't Dennis K have been a great leader.  Afterall he went through a baptism of fire with the 2004 primaries. This puts PG county on the map!  Amazing

I hope Murtha stays strong, we need him.

Dennis?  Please!  Liberal is one thing, socialist is another.  Dennis was an even more ridiculous candidate than Al Sharpton.

This was the right choice, and Dems chose Hoyer by a solid number.

Murtha should definitely stay a voice on Iraq.  But we need clean government, and I'm glad Hoyer got the number 2 seat.

with Pelosi coming out and backing Murtha. She looks impotent now. Her strong arm tactics did not work and will not work in the future. How is she going to get legislation passed if members of her party can come out and shun her selection? Because this is closed vote, it shows how much respect they have for her...not a good start if you ask me.

But it's her own fault.  She shouldn't have gotten involved.

Pelosi is smart, she backed Murtha knowing he was going to lose.

This was her sacrifice to the dailykos/moveon crowd; backing their liberal sweetheart so when she has some political capital to spend when she doesn't press for impeachment.

No one ever thought Murtha was going to get the votes.  Pelosi did Murtha a solid, knowing he would expect a favor after being by her side the entire time.  I think it actually looks GOOD that the majority leader was not agreed with; we are NOT the rubber stamp party.

Since when is standing for what you believe when it is unpopular impotent? There is a kind of thinking that sees the negative side of everything women do. Its a kind of screen through which reality is distorted. Pelosi would have to be the incarnation of the Mother Mary to please certain people.

was the smart pick for the democrats.  he helped get them there, and he deserves it.  it's good for the DC area.  he's more moderate and will be a better against the republicans.

with pelosi/murtha, the GOP would have had a field day.

there's nothing wrong with division over opinion in governance; as someone here said, "We're not a rubber stamp party." If everyone went along with what Pelosi wanted, then it'd be DeLay II. Besides, there will have to be moderation and compromise in the Senate but in the House it's usually lacking for the majority party so difference of opinion among liberal Dems, Blue Dogs and geographic interests will push for there to be more ideas brought to the table and considered. If this tiff over Murtha is the low point of the Pelosi speakership and Dems' control of the House, the we should be all considered fortunate!

That's Murtha on ethics reform.

Thank goodness Hoyer won.

Given that Murtha helped guide Pelosi's congressional leadership path , and that Murtha was the vocal Iraq critic who took many "blows" from the Repubs- she stood by a loyal supporter in Murtha. Perhaps it was calculated on her part knowing Murtha did not have the support. Now, everyone kiss and make up...lets get down to business. 

xxxxxxxxxxxx

I was a strong supporter of Jack Murtha for House Majority Leader. He ran, he lost. Congratulations to Steny Hoyer and to those who supported him. As far as I can make out, everyone involved fought hard before the election and was gracious afterwards, with Hoyer, in particular, stressing the theme that this was the reelection of an already successful team. Now the internal squabble is over. The real battle begins. That's democracy folks. I'm proud to be part of it.

Job No. 1 is Turn Virginia Blue!

John in Yokohama

isn't over. The next one up is the Harmon/Hastings fight (cat fight? dog fight? cock fight?) over the Intel committee chairmanship. Pelosi isn't just rewarding loyalty; she seems to be paying back for past animosities as well (my bet is she was equally pro-Murtha and against Hoyer). I may have some reservations about Harmon (who wouldn't? )but, Hastings?

I just hope someone spikes Pelosi's Thanksgiving turkey with a bit of common sense, so that she comes back in January ready to work for *us* (the people)

I am glad he won. All this year we talked about the Republican "culture of corruption". Dem house members, especially the freshman class, took this seriously. This goes to show that endorsements (or certain endorsements) don't mean a thing.  What matters is the vote of confidence of the majority of House Dems. Further, certain endorsements might be the kiss of death... :-)

Any insite on where he stands on key labor and economic issues?  I visited his website and I can't find any mention under his key issues section of these things.

I find that concerning.  I hope that he clarifies his positions, or that someone has reference to past statements which may indicate where he stands.

He has in the past supported an increase in indentured servant visas, and I hope that he will learn the truth about such programs before voting in the future on the issue.

Please, someone calm my fears about his labor/economics record. 

Actually Congress can calm my fears by introducing serious ethics reforms so I am not paranoid of every politician being on the take.  I use to assume they were honest until they proved otherwise, but now I assume they are crooks until they prove otherwise. 

They really need to restore confidence and soon.  I think the general mistrust of Congress hurts our psyche as a nation.  I wish I didn't automatically distrust them, but I do.  We've been duped too many times by members of both parties.  That causes a general sense of skepticism.

I would suggest to call his office.  See if his staff can answer your question.