Wanted: A Real Leader - Endorsement for Rep. Jack Murtha by David Sirota of 'The Nation'

[w4rma]

November 14, 2006
by David Sirota
…
Hoyer's reaction to Murtha's Iraq announcement was telling. He ran to the Washington Post, not to praise Murtha for his courageous leadership in shifting the debate on the most important national security issue in a generation, but instead to say Murtha's announcement "could lead to disaster." Days later, he tried to publicly humiliate Pelosi for supporting Murtha's withdrawal idea, with the Post reporting that Hoyer "told colleagues that Pelosi's recent endorsement of a speedy withdrawal combined with her claim that more than half of House Democrats support her position, could backfire on the party."

On trade, it's the same thing. Murtha represents Johnstown, Pennsylvania--the type of hardscrabble, working-class district Democrats have too often lost since President Bill Clinton joined with Wall Street to push free-trade pacts in the mid-1990s. In representing this kind of district, Murtha has opposed many of the most destructive trade agreements that sell out American workers. In the most high-profile example, he went up against Clinton by voting against the China free trade deal in 2000.

Hoyer, by contrast, voted for the China pact, and a number of other "free" trade agreements opposed by Murtha and progressive Democrats. He has parroted much of the rhetoric of the Democratic Leadership Council--the corporate front group that has relentlessly pushed Democrats to provide the crucial congressional votes necessary to pass "free" trade pacts. As Lori Wallach of Global Trade Watch said when Hoyer ran against Pelosi in a previous leadership race: "Hoyer has repositioned himself--one can only assume for political purposes -- as the DLC, business candidate."

Neither candidate, of course, is perfect. But this is far more than merely a lesser-of-two-evils choice.
…
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061127/sirota/

[Demeter]

1. What Bothers Me the Most About This

is that Hoyer was Pelosi's rival, and was defeated by her for her post, and now, he is stirring up animosity by not agreeing that she has a right to her own choice in whom she works with, instead of getting on her good side for future "rewards". He's a selfish, narcissistic pig, and very ungracious. If this is his idea of working together in harmony as Democrats need to do, the whole effort is for naught.

[paulk]

6. she doesn't have a right to her own choice.

No speaker has ever had that "right". The majority leader gets chosen by vote, just like the speaker does.

And characterizing Hoyer as a "selfish, narcissistic pig, and very ungracious" as you have done is just plain a stupid thing to say on your part. Hoyer has every right to make a run for the job. His personal motivations are likely the same as any politicians are, including Pelosi's.

Power.

[MethuenProgressive]

2. Jack Murtha is obviously the better man.

And Hoyer's attempt at Swiftboating a fellow Democrat is disgusting.

[luckyleftyme2]

4. WE NEED A MURTHA

The gop is already sending signals it has NO thought of working with the democrats.Their general has said it would be a disaster to pull out of IRAQ.Well sir with all due respect you have already created a disaster. to say thing are hunky dory is bull sir.to say we need to train iraqis to defend THEIR COUNTRY is bull,you'v been saying this for 3 years with piss poor results.
now the head of the medical field (LEAVITT) says it is not a good idea to dicker with the drug companies to get lower prices for drugs for medi-care.
well sir i say you and leavitt should be removed from your post,you definetly forgot who your real boss is. let me remind you:IT'S US WE THE PEOPLE,AND WE DON'T WANT YOU TO STAY THE COURSE;WE WANT SOMEBODY WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR US!
THE WAR AND OCCUPATION WAS HANDLED WITH OUT PROPER THOUGHT. MORE OF THE SAME IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!
MURTHA IS A REALIST,AND HE WILL PROTECT THE TROOPS AND MAKE PROGRESS!
I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION IS DOING ALL IT CAN TO SINK HIS NOMINATION,SO THERFORE HE MUST BE THE MAN FOR THE JOB!

[HereSince1628]

3. The semantic canard of the DLC--they've fallen for their own spin

Over 20 years ago, with remarkable brazenness, a group of would be political elitists seeking to restructure power in the Democratic Party took on for themselves the name "Democratic Leadership" with zero endorsement from the actual party. Apparently, this was done as a tool of public manipulation so that anytime anyone spoke of the leadership of the Democratic Party they immediately brought members of this self-anointed group to mind.

So great has been their deception of the public and themselves, that they now have completely convinced themselves that no one but members of their elitist club can or should be a democratic leader. To do so would be an abhorrent infringement on what they perceive as their endowed political right. They have so completely bought into their own spin that they are convinced they are the designated leadership of the party.

These DLC/New Democrat folks suffer from self-delusion as badly as the Movement Conservatives do with regard to the superiority of "we know best" arrogance of top down central control of the party by a superior elite chosen by...themselves.

If the 2004 election made any statement, it was that the American people repudiate the republican version of that notion. It's rather doubtful the American people will be happy with that ideology's return in a blue blazer.

[bemildred]

5. All you need to know about Hoyer is that you never heard of him until now. nt