Roll Call: Nancy Pelosi supporting Jack Murtha for Majority Leader

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/011073.php

November 12, 2006 -- 06:57 PM EDT)

From Talkingpointsmemo's Josh Marshall...

Roll Call: Pelosi comes out for Murtha in Majority Leader's race.

All I can say is, that's bold. She's making a play to really rule the place.

Late Update: Pelosi's letter to Murtha

11/12/2006

Dear Jack,

Thank you for your letter requesting my support for your candidacy for Majority Leader in the 110th Congress.

As you know so well, for the past 24 months I have done nothing but focus on winning the House, working weekends, morning, noon and night, traveling to dozens of states and cities on behalf of our candidates to assure we had the resources to implement the excellent plan Rahm Emanuel developed.

Working with all the groups in our Caucus over the past two years, we focused the national debate around issues that clearly differentiated Democrats from Republicans, and put us squarely on the side of the American people. We challenged President Bush on his unsound scheme to privatize Social Security, and we prevailed on behalf of America's seniors. We repudiated the Republican "culture of corruption" that has turned the People's House into an auction house for special interests. And of course, we challenged President Bush and the Republicans on the Iraq war.

With respect to Iraq in particular, I salute your courageous leadership that changed the national debate and helped make Iraq the central issue of this historic election. It was surely a dark day for the Bush Administration when you spoke truth to power. Your leadership gave so many Americans, including respected military leaders, the encouragement to voice their own disapproval at a failed policy that weakens our military and makes stability in that region even more difficult to achieve. The enthusiastic response of Americans all across this nation gave an enormous lift to our Democratic efforts, and your unsurpassed personal solicitations produced millions of dollars which were new to the effort. Those resources made a huge difference and particularly for the candidates on whose behalf you campaigned.

Your strong voice for national security, the war on terror and Iraq provides genuine leadership for our party, and I count on you to continue to lead on these vital issues. For this and for all you have done for Democrats in the past and especially this last year, I am pleased to support your candidacy for Majority Leader for the 110th Congress. As we move forward and work together on the urgent questions of Iraq, the war on terrorism, strengthening our military to meet 21st century challenges, improving our national security and rebuilding our international relations, and honoring our commitment to our veterans, your presence in the leadership of our party would add a knowledgeable and respected voice to our Democratic team.

Sincerely,

Nancy Pelosi

Democratic Leader

[Olney Blue]

1. Interesting. K and R.

[jefferson_dem]

2. WoW! Bold move. Now let's see how Steny and the "blue dogs" respond.

Go Madame Speaker! :patriot:

[FARAFIELD]

3. HOYER SUCKS ANYHOW

oK SO Murtha supported the WAR, but he was man enough to take center stage when no one else would (sorry) it didnt really matter what the people that voted AGAINST The war said, it was people like Murtha saying they had been duped, lied to et al. ALSO he has street cred when it comes to the military. Say what you will, but Murtha speaking out was an important moment for our party, BUsh CO.s response to Katrina was the next. with Pelosis support he ought to be able to "whip" hoyer.

[Psephos]

4. Both Murtha and Hoyer have ethics problems on their resumes

Maybe we better keep looking. This is not a personal slam on either Murtha or Hoyer, but IMO we have plenty of other choices who won't invoke every right-wing commentator to bring up unflattering details about the way both of these guys do business.

Apart from his excellent criticism of the war, Murtha is actually quite conservative, and has a serious pork addiction. Also, his ABSCAM follies will be regurgitated endlessly by wingnuts. Hoyer has an addiction too, but his is to K Street cash. Both Hoyer and Murtha are too close to the old way of doing things in Washington to give me any comfort.

Hoyer voted for the bankruptcy bill, specifically because of his K Street masters. Nuff said.

We need a sharp contrast to the Repug culture of corruption. Razor sharp.

Peace.

[Thrill]

5. You can't trust Hoyer

[Ninja Jordan]

6. Hoyer is corporate trash

I'd support Murtha too. Hopefully he wins.

[hijinx87]

7. murtha or BUST.

anything else is a surrender.

[AlGore-08.com]

8. Very interesting...

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