That’s probably a good thing. While everyone is running around trying to claim Murtha was swiftboated, let’s make this clear–Murtha was not in just one bad situation, but several. I’ll take him at face value on what he says about ABSCAM given how long ago it was, but in recent years he’s been in the pocket of defense contractors and has a friends and families plan going on. Despite his protestations over being willing to back Pelosi’s reform package, he worked with Republicans to kill another plan previously. That’s not an encouraging record.
The main take on Hoyer is that he’s too close to K Street. That’s a problem, but I’m unclear on how that makes Murtha better–Defense lobbyists are on K Street too. At least we don’t get the ABSCAM and friends and family plan added to the problem.
This leaves the only serious problems in Mollohan who I presume is not going to be head of ethics until his case is fully resolved and then the Hastings–Harmon issue where we apparently cannot find anyone who wasn’t impeached or under current investigation to head Intelligence. Really, this isn’t hard stuff people. Both are unsuitable and there are other people who can head up Intelligence. Harmon is probably a better choice in the short term, but if this AIPAC scandal isn’t cleared up soon, she needs to be removed until it is resolved.
Finally, Al Franken has on the challenger to William Jefferson on this morning–remember to help her out. You can also help out with the recount in FL-13 that is a friggen disaster.
Murtha and Hoyer both have things that ‘look bad’. I suspect that will be the case for most long-term members of congress. I wanted Murtha to win for two reasons–first and foremost, Nancy Pelosi wanted him. She’s the new Speaker. She’s the one we’re going to hold accountable. Hoyer is not her friend. And he demonstrated in this election that he is perfectly willing to put his personal ambition ahead of the best interest of the party, let alone the people.
The other reason I wish Murtha would have won is that he stood up on the war when most of those guys wouldn’t. And yes, I like people who were against it from day one more but Murtha stood up and he has taken a lot of shit from Bush and his gang of war criminals. I like a man who can take a hit and keep going–my guess is that Nancy Pelosi does too.
Overlooked is the key virtue of Hoyer:
Getting to hear the name “Steny Hoyer” on the news on a semiregular basis will bring joy to untold numbers of people who delight in fun names.
LOL–yeah. And Ellen–I just don’t get the Murtha thing–he’s pretty right wing. Hoyer isn’t a liberal, but he’s more moderate than Murtha and without the scandals. I don’t like the K Street stuff, but Hoyer’s doesn’t have any serious scandals.
I got so caught up in my politics that I completely overlooked the virtue of his name. You’re right of course! Steny Hoyer it is!
AP, you’re right too. Murtha is pretty right wing. Truly I don’t like that except that he reminds me of some of the old guys (from Labor mostly) who have been stalwarts for the Democratic party. Those guys invented loyal. And I admire them and that loyalty.
Finally, I want Nancy Pelosi and her new majority to succeed.