Updated: Pelosi 0-1 As Speaker To Be

Had to catch the press conference, Hoyer was good but Pelosi did not look comfortable, despite saying the right things. Murtha looked like he was almost in tears. But the real issue is how much I believe these people are misreading the election.

Yes, America is upset over Iraq - but the Dems do not have a Vietnam style mandate to end the war. One could argue they weren't elected for anything, as the R's simply got themselves un-elected.

And weaving Murtha throughout the thing, including the press conference, pretty much took all the air out of what should have been a big moment in the history of women in government. Pelosi's error in jumping into this thing proved to be a major mistake. Good thing it wasn't a war, or anything, huh?

Not - even - close:

The vote was 149-86.

This doesn't bode well for Pelosi and I suspect she isn't the type to forget it. But with so many going against her, she has little choice. She either has to let it go, or run the risk of controlling a minority of the caucus. I wouldn't be surprised if her approach doesn't create more trouble as time goes on, especially among some of the less liberal Reps.

This can't be fun for Hillary. The last thing she wants right now is the D party looking like a bunch of corrupt bunglers. But then, what would one expect? ; )

ABC to have live post election video see left sidebar here.

Murtha out according to a short report via Drudge.

A Democratic spokeswoman says that House Democrats have chosen Rep. Steny Hoyer as House majority leader, the No. 2 leadership post.

Comments

[tk]

I loved it. Pelosi spent more time talking about Murtha then Hoyer. It is only going to get better. She is completely over her head. No one is in charge. Hoyer said he is leading the democrats, she is leading the whole house. She quickly said she is leading the dems. The fight is on.

[Purple Avenger]

"looking like a bunch of corrupt bunglers"

I gotta cruise on back to the concession stand for a refill on popcorn and soda. This is going to be a really great show...and we're not even into the main event yet.

[Ed Muntin]

No comment on Strom's boy Trent's easy one-vote victoy in the Minority Whip race?

[Phoenix]

Make my day! Anonymous votes. And Pelosi *has* to make nice with all not knowing who voted against her. Wow.

There's daggers in men's smiles...... Paranoia strikes three....

[Purple Avenger]

"No comment on Strom's boy Trent's easy one-vote victoy in the Minority Whip race?"

*yawn*

[larry]

wow! hoyer, huh? pelosi must be crushed. i thought mcgovern was a LOCK for the job - something must have happened.

[Ed Muntin]

Yawn

Sums up this "story" too.

[K]

I suspect a lot of the caucus realized that if they obeyed Nancy - for that is what the matter came down to - they were in for more bullying and the next two years would seem a long time.

Since a majority clearly did not want Murtha she took a big swing and missed. What she does next will be interesting. Probably punish any of the new members who voted for Hoyer.

These new members lack power, don't yet have committee seats, and are still forming impressions. The message she will give them is 'You crossed me, you will pay, Hoyer can't help you!'

In other words she will gamble again. She won't be boring.

[Phoenix]

"She won't be boring."

No. She'll be careful. She doesn't know who went against her.

[K]

'she doesn't know....'

By the way, I should have written newer members not new members.

The vote might be secret but this is Congress. She knows who committed to Murtha, who said no outright, and who hedged. Unless pols lied and keep their mouth shut (gee, does that ever happen) she and Murtha should be able to nail it down quite well.

One important clue is that newer members are often closely allied with a senior rep from the same state. If she knows what the senior wanted she will be right about what the newer member did.

And she doesn't have to be right, just believe she is right. Pelosi is good at that.

Anyway, mind reading is tough. For politicans it is so tough you can wonder if thought is in there.

[Phoenix]

She'd be better off not trying to figure out who voted who. She needs to take this hard lesson, remember it and move on with grace. Of course, I'm hoping she doesn't do that. I hope she's so paranoid she comes undone.

[tally]

just once, i'd like to see her in an outfit that came off the rack. or not cut on the bias, that would work.