Democratic Speaker of the House in 2007: Murtha or Pelosi?

[derby378]

Who would you vote for if you were in Congress and the Dems took over?

[AX10]

1. Nancy Pelosi deserves to be the speaker. She has done a good...

job of keeping the party together on some of the most critical issues. Also, she does represent the core of the party.

[NJ Democrats]

2. I agree

Pelosi should be speaker

[nealmhughes]

3. I agree. No reason to dump Nancy at all. Now if Dennis were running or

Conyers or Maxine...

[ncrainbowgrrl]

4. I also agree- what about Murtha for Majority whip?

hmmm... the term "majority" sounds so nice- I think I'll type it again! "The democratic MAJORITY whip!" :-)

[AX10]

6. Murtha expressed interest in being the majority leader.

[welshTerrier2]

7. that's right ...

the competition for majority leader will be between Murtha and Hoyer ...

Pelosi will be the Speaker ...

[ncrainbowgrrl]

11. Who would you vote for for majority leader?

Murtha or Hoyer?

I can see plusses and minusses for both- just wondering what others think.

[welshTerrier2]

16. i would need to learn much more ...

my understanding is that Hoyer is from "the other wing" of the party ... i have deep concerns about that but would be willing to dig in deeper before making any judgments about him ...

and frankly, while i've admired Murtha's candor over the last year or so, his overall agenda appears to be much, much different than one i would value ... again, i need to learn more about the role a majority leader plays and who would be most effective in job ...

for me, i am almost always uncomfortable separating function from policy ... ideally, i'd like to choose someone who could effectively manage the team but who was also at least somewhat aligned with my values and views on the issues ...

my concern is that neither Hoyer nor Murtha would fill the bill ... on issues, i've been greatly impressed by several members of the Progressive Black Caucus and also by my own Congressman, Jim McGovern and also, of course, by Kucinich ... again, i have no idea whether they could be effective as majority leader ...

your question leaves me with lots of homework to do ... no real answer for now ...

[flaminbats]

31. IMO John Lewis should be the Majority whip..

he's been a great deputy whip and would be an effective force for uniting liberals behind important votes.

[liberalnurse]

9. Nancy Pelosi has done well...but......

but I don't see the Speaker of the House position to be a "reward" because one deserve the position......On the contrary, tomorrow is another day and we need the most effective Democratic Member of Congress to be in that seat........

[derby378]

5. I have to admit, though, I have some serious problems with Nancy

She runs hot and cold on the House floor. Voted way too often with the Bush administration. But then she turns right around and delivers a hard-hitting statement when you least expect it.

If it's Pelosi's destiny to be Speaker, so be it. I just hope she doesn't embarass us.

[IndianaGreen]

8. I do too, but she is pro-choice and Murtha is not

so I voted for her. In an ideal world, John Conyers should be Speaker.

[Totally Committed]

10. Now you're talking!

Conyers would be an historic Speaker! But, alas... this is not an ideal world (far from it, in fact!)

TC

[saltpoint]

12. Nancy Pelosi. She's smart, tough, dedicated, and I like her as a

long-term voice for meaningful reform.

I respect Jack Murtha a hell of a lot, but I don't see him with the same level of energy and power of persuasion.

Could live with either, but would go with Nancy.

[bamacrat]

13. I agree with Pelosi, she is an extremely smart person.

[Rowdyboy]

14. I've read that Pelosi is backing Murtha for Majority Leader over Steny....

Hoyer (though its supposedly behind the scenes)

[stevedeshazer]

15. Ahem. A little respect for President Pelosi, please

:)

[ihelpu2see]

17. I would like Pelosi or Murtha and I would give John Larson for CT

a serious look as well. But I'm from his district so I'm not partial!!

[CarlVK]

18. MURTHA! No more half measures and balking!

[flaminbats]

27. a Speaker who can bring us universal healthcare..

Jack Murtha can unite Democrats on this issue, and could even win enough Republican votes to pass such a measure. Another thing which makes him better than other politicians..Murtha can admit when he's wrong! :wow:

http://www.house.gov/murtha/bio.shtml

Pelosi has been a great Minority Leader and would make an even better Majority Leader.

[Stinky The Clown]

19. I'm going to go out on a limb here and favor my own - Elijiah Cummings

And for good reason. First, he's not embattled at all ..... essentially unopposed. Former head of the Congressional Black Caucus. Fundamentally liberal, but plays well with others. He's sufficiently unknown that there's no 'buzz' on him from the opposition; I don't fear their buzz, but as an unknown the lack of buzz gives him time to get a good head start on the attack dogs we all KNOW will be after whoever is Speaker. He's got a clean record.

[vireo]

20. George Miller

I've always liked him and think he would be an effective spokesman for the Party.
http://www.house.gov/georgemiller/welcome.html

[LWolf]

21. Kucinich. n/t

[TheFarseer]

22. Pelosi is such a lightning rod

I think she doesn't help us in many cases just because she draws alot of fire. Kucinich would be great.

[dmosh42]

23. Would favor Murtha

Mainly because He has really started the turn from the war in Iraq to re-focusing our efforts in this war on terrorism. As with WW-2, we need to have vengeance over 9/11, and direct it against the people who attacked us. Bush earned our hatred because he had our backing after the 9/11 debacle, and misused it by diverting our resources to Iraq to satisfy his oil industry buddies. I think Murtha understands this more than Pelosi, although She would be satisfactory for most of us.

[Freddie Stubbs]

24. Murtha wants to be majority leader, not Speaker

[Hippo_Tron]

25. Jack Murtha is a great man but too socially conservative to be Speaker

Our Speaker can't be anti-choice and support a co-sponsor a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning. It will cripple our ability to fight the Republicans on social issues and our base will abandon us (especially if the person who is in line to become speaker is for the first time in history, a woman).

Also, for those who question Pelosi's progressive credentials on the war, remember that she voted against the Iraq War Resolution and the majority fo the caucus followed her despite Dick Gephardt's rose garden photo ops.

[lonehalf]

26. Barbara Lee because...

..she's much more progressive that either of those two and she is so hated by the Republicans.

Remember, Murtha was considered a moderate until he wanted to be the Speaker and Pelosi has been VERY ineffective.

How many elections have we lost with her in power.

I also support someone other than Harry Reid for Majority Leader of the Senate for the same reasons.

[LynneSin]

28. I adore John Murtha but I do not want a staunch anti-choice democrat

as Speaker. I know that Harry Reid is also anti-choice but he's done a great job with keeping his personal opinion on choice separate from the democratic platform. But Murtha is even further to the right when it comes to choice, I would vote for him in a heartbeat, but I'd rather have Nancy as Speaker

[saltpoint]

29. I second that, LynneSin.

:thumbsup:

:dem:

[quinnox]

30. If Dems win back

the House, then Pelosi deserves to be speaker. Plus, it will drive the republicans crazy, a bonus.

[Mojekearthe]

33. Whoever becomes speaker may become president, as well!

Keep in mind that based on the United States Presidential Line of Ascension, the Democratic Speaker may likely become President of the United States following the impeachment and senatorial confirmation and removal of Bush and Cheney from office. In this case, Nancy Pelosi will become president, leaving Murtha to become Speaker. This will be the most ideal situation, and looks very probable indeed.

[SteppingRazor]

32. Definitely Pelosi...

Murtha's got great views on the war, but he's not the sort of guy we want leading our party on almost any other issue. Pelosi, on the other hand, is a wll-rounded progressive.