Steny Hoyer: Our Majority Leader

[SteppingRazor]

I was nominally for Jack Murtha before the vote went down (truth to tell, I'd've preferred option C -- someone else).

But, now that the vote's done, I support Steny Hoyer. He's got a decent progressive record; he's the more-obvious choice, since he was minority whip; and this vote comes with a lot of moves toward diversity that any good Democrat can celebrate, specifically the first female Speaker and, with James Clyburn, the first African-American majority whip.

Like I said, Hoyer wasn't my first choice (or, ahem, my second. Or possibly even third). But now that it's over, I'm on the bus.

[antigop]

1. Progressive Record?

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.murtha16nov16,0,3536933.story?coll=bal-oped-headlines

>>
Mr. Hoyer, by contrast, voted for the China pact and a number of other trade agreements opposed by Mr. 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.
>>

[wyldwolf]

2. If there is a Democrat David Sirota doesn't like, chances are I will.

Being "progressive" isn't based solely on your Iraq or lobbying positions.

[antigop]

5. Please read it again

I didn't quote his position on Iraq or lobbying positions.

I quoted his votes for trade pacts.

I guess outsourcing of jobs is considered "progressive", huh?

[wyldwolf]

7. Are you David Sirota?

[antigop]

8. Nope

I've just seen too many people lose their jobs to outsourcing.

I wouldn't call support for outsourcing of jobs and killing the middle class "progressive".

[wyldwolf]

10. but the piece being quoted was written by him.

[antigop]

12. Yes, I quoted from the article. That doesn't make me Sirota.

Outsourcing of jobs IS NOT PROGRESSIVE.

[wyldwolf]

22. So we can only comment on the pieces of the article you quoted?

[antigop]

23. The original poster claimed "decent progressive record" -- NOT TRUE

Supporting the outsourcing of jobs and destroying the middle class is NOT a "decent progressive record".

Sorry, it's not.

[wyldwolf]

28. So we can only comment on the pieces of the article you quoted?

[antigop]

29. You can comment on anything you want

but the original poster said Hoyer had a "decent progressive record".

Supporting trade pacts that lead to outsourcing of jobs and destroying the middle class is NOT a "decent progressive record".

[pnwmom]

63. I don't think there is a litmus test for being a progressive.

For example, Patty Murray is widely recognized as a progressive, and she votes for trade pacts because they tend to be helpful, overall, to her state.

Not all progressives are populists who routinely oppose trade pacts.

[antigop]

68. HA! That's funny.

Voting for trade pacts without worker protections qualifies you to be a "progressive".

And I guess I can torture or kill someone and still call myself a "decent Christian".

Sure.

[pnwmom]

71. Voting for trade pacts isn't analogous to voting for murder or torture.

And many otherwise progressive Democrats have supported them. Again, there isn't a single issue litmus test on what makes a person a progressive.

[antigop]

77. Don't call anyone a progressive if they don't support US jobs and US workers

I didn't say voting for trade pacts is analagous to voting for murder or torture.

You can't call yourself a "decent Christian" if you murder or torture.

You can't call yourself a "decent progressive" if you don't support US jobs and US workers.

I'm sorry if you don't understand.

[pnwmom]

80. There's more than one way to support US jobs and workers.

In the State of Washington, which has an export-based economy, the trade pacts -- in general -- have had a positive effect on jobs and workers. I don't happen to support NAFTA and CAFTA personally, but I understand why both our otherwise progressive Senators do.

You CAN call yourself a progressive and yet disagree on the best way to support jobs.

[antigop]

83. Ask all of the Microsoft and tech workers whose jobs were outsourced

Ask them how they feel about trade pacts that allow their jobs to be shipped overseas.

You REALLY need to understand what is happening.

Read Dorgan's book.

ONCE AGAIN: You CAN'T CALL YOURSELF A PROGRESSIVE if you support trade pacts that allow jobs to be shipped overseas and offer no worker protections. You can't. PERIOD.

[antigop]

87. Read, learn, understand

http://bernie.house.gov/trade.asp

[SteppingRazor]

6. Yes, progressive record...

Here's his entire voting history in the 109th Congress, as opposed to just Sirota's opinion.

Note the votes against Electronic Surveillance, the Military Commissions Act, etc...

In fact, note that there is only one time in the entire legislative session when he sided with GOP over Dems -- on the issue of free trade with Vietnam.

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/h000874/votes/

[antigop]

9. You have a funny definition of "progressive"

Selling out the middle class and supporting outsourcing of jobs is "progressive"???

Sure. OK.

[SteppingRazor]

13. I'm not suggesting that he's 100% good for 100% of the issues 100% of the time

I mean, who is?

My point is that his record on most issues is much better than it's been made out to be. He stood up to Bush on major issues such as the bill that more or less erased the Constitution, as I mentioned above.

I'm not going to pretend I'm a Hoyer fan. But the vote's over, and I would hope that we can support a majority leader who has been great for civil rights, privacy rights, and standing up for the Constitution.

My definition of progressive is, I imagine, pretty similar to yours. Not beating each other up was the point of my post, yet here we are, beating each other up.

[antigop]

14. No, your definition of "progressive" is NOT similar to mine

Supporting the outsourcing of jobs IS NOT PROGRESSIVE.

[SteppingRazor]

19. But I don't support the outsourcing of jobs.

Who ever said I did? :shrug:

As for Hoyer, he doesn't support it either:
http://www.hoyer.house.gov/Newsroom/index.asp?ID=516&DocumentType=Press+Release


I think Hoyer suffers from a misunderstanding about how free trade works, and I disagree with many of his free trade votes. That doesn't make him, or me, a bad person. It does mean that, on that particular issue, he needs to be carefully watched. And, since many of the incoming Democratic freshmen are fair-trade advocates (http://www.citizenstrade.org/fairtraders2006.php), I think that he can be worked with on this particular issue -- especially since, if rumor about the majority-leader vote is to be believed -- he has these new congressmen to thank for his new position.

[antigop]

21. If he voted for "free trade" he does NOT have a decent progressive record

which is what you claimed

[Richardo]

49. Thank you for your one-note opinion

If you ever find your ideal "100% of the issues, 100% of the time" politician, please come back and tell us what color the sky is on that planet.

[antigop]

53. Oh, please

When a politicians votes against something as fundamental as protecting US jobs and the middle class, one can hardly claim he has a "decent progressive record".

I'm sorry if you don't understand that protecting US jobs and the middle class needs to be part of a "decent progressive record".

[Richardo]

55. How many times did he vote to 'kill the middle class'?

If he gets an 87% passing grade from the AFL-CIO, I'm thinking not many.

[antigop]

58. Even one vote for a trade pact without worker protections is too many

n/t

[pnwmom]

64. It sounds like you're a one-issue progressive: if they don't

vote the way you prefer on the issue of trade, then they're not progressive, in your opinion.

But I think we should be looking at their overall records.

[antigop]

69. If they don't support US jobs, and US workers, NO they are NOT progressive

So don't call them that.

[Freddie Stubbs]

18. A progressive record is not what was needed

This election was about moving from the right to the center.

[antigop]

20. The claim was that Hoyer has "a decent progressive record"

>>But, now that the vote's done, I support Steny Hoyer. He's got a decent progressive record;

That was the claim in the original post.

Supporting the outsourcing of jobs, destroying the middle class, is NOT a "decent progressive record".

[SteppingRazor]

It's not a claim, it's a fact.

In previous posts, I have offered you both Hoyer's complete voting record for the 109th Congress and his own statements on job outsourcing. You have offered me the opinion of David Sirota. My original statement, as you say, was that Hoyer has a "decent" progressive record. I did not say perfect. You have taken issue with one aspect -- albeit a major issue -- of Hoyer's voting record, and have then tried to use this to blanket the man's entire record in Congress, when his votes on other issues are simply and completely at odds with the conservative agenda.

Given Speaker Pelosi's (man, I'm never gonna get tired of saying that) position on the issues that are problematic with Hoyer -- the war and free trade -- I think the two will compliment each other fairly well. And, as also stated in a previous post in this thread, the amount of fair trade advocates coming into Congress will make the free trade issue a non-starter.

[antigop]

25. As, I said before "you have a funny definition of 'progressive'"

Fact: He voted for the trade pacts.

Fact: Trade pacts lead to outsourcing of jobs, killing the middle class.

Hoyer does NOT have a "decent progressive record".

So stop saying he does.

Unless you think killing the middle class is a "decent progressive record".

[SteppingRazor]

34. Oy. Look, Steny Hoyer has...

a 95% rating from the ADA (pro-progressive)
a 100% rating from NARAL (pro-choice)
an 87% rating from the ACLU (pro-civil liberties)
A 40% RATING FROM THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (meaning he voted anti-business more often than not)
a 100% rating by the NEA (pro-education)
an 85% rating by the LCV (pro-environment)
a 15% rating by ther Christian Coalition (pro-privacy, pro-freedom of religion)
a 22% RATING BY CATO (meaning PRO-FAIR TRADE, including a "no" vote on CAFTA)
an "F" rating by the NRA (pro-gun control)
a 100% rating by the APHA (pro-public healthcare)
a 100% rating by SANE (anti-war)
an 87% rating by the AFL-CIO (pro-labor)

Source: http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Steny_Hoyer.htm


Do I consider that a "decent" progressive record?

You're god-damn right I do.

[antigop]

37. I'm not going to let you get by with your statement

Fact: he voted for the trade pacts, which lead to outsourcing of jobs, which kills the middle class.

How many times do I have to explain this?

Killing the middle class is NOT a "decent progressive record".

You have a funny definition of "decent progressive record".

[SteppingRazor]

45. Not letting me get by? I already have.

I've provided multiple links and sources documenting Hoyer's approval by various progressive causes, his Democratic voting record and his own opinions on job outsourcing. I've proven my assertion that he has a "decent progressive record" beyond any reasonable doubt.

Feel free to once again reiterate your opinion. This is my last word on this subject -- the last thing I wanted in a post calling for unity is for it to degenerate into some sort of flame war -- so the final word is yours.

[antigop]

48. No, you haven't "gotten by"

Fact, not opinion: Hoyer voted for the trade pacts with NO protections for workers.

You haven't proven anything.

[brentspeak]

72. s/d (meant to post at bottom of thread)

[k_jerome]

74. please outline Mr. Murtha's progressive record on social issues. nt.

[OzarkDem]

3. Messge to Hoyer infighters and news media - we are setting the table now

Play inside politics all you want, grassroots Democratic voters are much better educated, better informed and more powerful than any time in recent history. The last election showed most voters no longer believe the media spin.

We're watching and doing our research and we will make the decisions about the direction the Dems in Congress are moving in and who will get it done.

[wisteria]

4. I think I'll wait and take another one.

Hoyer means the same old same old to me.

[sandnsea]

11. I'm putting on my boots

Because I'm going to keep them right up the butt of these Democrats until they make the changes we elected them to make.

[SteppingRazor]

15. Completely agree.

I think their feet should be held to the fire if they don't represent the people who put them into office and put them in a majority. Doing otherwise is just lockstepping the party line, and we don't do that -- we're Democrats.

[Robbien]

16. All this means is Hoyer will keep pushing Pelosi to put forth the DLC agenda

I cannot see any good in this at all.

I wish Pelosi good luck.

[antigop]

17. Agreed.

I was hoping the middle class would have gotten a better deal.

[wyldwolf]

35. not so radioactive afterall, eh MarKOS?

[Superman Returns]

24. question

who replaces hoyer as whip?

[SteppingRazor]

26. James Clyburn, from South Carolina...

will become the first African-American majority whip in our country's history.

On edit: Actually, second. I forgot about William Gray.

[OzarkDem]

27. Why not Stephanie Tubbs Jones?

She would have been great.

[Thrill]

30. I'm not happy

about Hoyer. But oh well

[TallahasseeGrannie]

31. Is "STENY" his real name?

[k_jerome]

32. Hoyer was my first choice and thank goodness he is the man. nt.

[antigop]

38. Yes, let's all look forward to killing off the middle class

Let's let Steny support more trade pacts with no protections for workers.

Let's just kill off the middle class and be done with it.

[k_jerome]

42. well, better luck foisting a right winger on us next time....

hats off to our Democratic House.

[antigop]

44. Yes, hats off the Dem House, but the middle class deserved better

n/t

[k_jerome]

46. they got better than Murtha...

could a better candidate have been elected? I think so.

[antigop]

47. Agreed -- there were much better candidates

I don't agree that Hoyer was better than Murtha for the middle class.

[k_jerome]

50. i can respect that. too bad they coulldn't find someone..

we could both agree on. i am sure they are out there.

[Richardo]

51. Because everyone knows Majority Leader of the House is all powerful

His agenda tops all!!!111!!

[antigop]

54. Wow -- it seems that the truth hurts around here, doesn't it?

FACT: Hoyer voted for the trade pact with NO protections for workers.

[Richardo]

56. *A* trade pact. One of dozens.

You want perfection, you'll live a miserable existence. Good luck with that.

[antigop]

57. I'm not asking for "perfection"

I'm taking issue with the original poster's claim of Hoyer's "decent progressive record".

[Richardo]

59. "Decent" means "OK, but not perfect" to most people

I guess you're the exception.

[antigop]

61. "decent progressive" does NOT support trade pacts with no worker protections

It's as simple as that.

I'm sorry if the truth hurts.

I'm sorry if I'm bringing up info that people don't want to hear.

[antigop]

62. It's like saying, 'I tortured someone but I'm a decent Christian".

n/t

[Strawman]

67. Nope. He'll be one of a handful of power brokers in the next Congress

And it will all work out spendidly...for them.

So what that we have a Majority Leader who undercuts the Speaker on all sorts of key votes?

As far as Steny vs. Murtha, on the issues? I could give a crap. Bottom line is Pelosi is better than both of them on all the issues. Murtha (who was not my ideal choice either) was at least likely to be loyal, even on issues where he disagreed with Pelosi. Corporate coddling Republicans know they can try to work with Hoyer if Pelosi doesn't want to play ball. Read grizmaster's excellent post below. That bill to reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy and foreign oil? Good luck getting that past Energy Committee Chairman John Dingell in any kind of non-watered down form without a strong speaker to shove it down his throat.

The next "great thing" that will happen is when people's pet congress critters get desired committee chairs and express their desire to wield independent authority and pursue their pet agendas. We'd better make damn sure we can effectively pursue our common agenda on 80% of the issues. Smacking down the new Speaker's choice of lieutenant is not a promising start in that direction.

Yeah, I know, Pelosi actually won today and we saw real democracy in action. Perhaps we even "turned a corner." :eyes:

[Bobbie Jo]

33. Fine....then let's just get on with it already n/t

[More Than A Feeling]

36. Steny was the right choice upon further reflection.

Hoyer: leadership experience
Murtha: None

Hoyer: questionable ideology (DLC, war)
Murtha: questionable ideology (everything other than the war)

Hoyer: Track record of working with Pelosi successfully, suggestions of further ambition
Murtha: long-term political relationship with Pelosi, no further ambition

Hoyer: No clouds of ethical impropriety I am aware of.
Murtha: CREW allegations.

So to sum up: Hoyer is relatively cleaner than Murtha, has leadership experience, and hints of further ambition. In the first two ways, he was the superior candidate. Since Pelosi is liberal, the conservatives in the caucus were going to get the majority leader, so the ideology was going to be questionable no matter what.

[OzarkDem]

41. Slim pickings either way

Neither was a very good candidate. I guess its to be expected when you're dealing with party leadership that's been in the minority for so long. The cream doesn't always rise to the top.

[grizmaster]

43. Hoyer and Pelosi don't work together well

quite the opposite, their infighting has been among the most fierce in the dem House.

[OzarkDem]

52. Let's hope Hoyer learns who is boss

or he'll end up out the door.

Dems need to be unified, working on a quality legislative agenda for the American people. Hoyer had better be a team player.

[grizmaster]

60. I think that's the main reason

Pelosi allowed Murtha's challenge. Just to put Hoyer on notice that he can be replaced if he gets to big for his britches.

[More Than A Feeling]

66. In terms of getting Dems to vote together they've been great

Democratic unity in the house has been steadily rising, and that's the only kind of relationship between the two that I care about.

[grizmaster]

70. that's not what the way others have seen it.

And you can count me among them.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/hoyers-campa...

Then, while Pelosi works to resist the influence of corporate interests as she goes after the GOP's "culture of corruption," it is Hoyer who is deliberately landing stories in newspapers about his efforts to formalize his own system of legalized bribery - putting his own campaign wallet ahead of Democrats' efforts to develop a message of reform. Today in Roll Call, for instance, it was Hoyer who placed the story that details his efforts to "woo K Street" (aka. the corporate lobbying community). The story notes he convened a meeting of "50 business-minded Democratic consultants, lobbyists and corporate officers to get them to commit to writing checks." And in case you didn't think Hoyer was trying to land these stories - just check out his website where he brazenly displays a similar story, as if his corporate shakedown operation is a trophy to be marveled at - and not an albatross that directly undermines his party's message.

Finally, it has been Hoyer who has made a point of actively working against Pelosi on major congressional votes. You remember, it was Hoyer - the Democratic Whip - who refused to whip votes together to try to defeat the corporate-written Central American Free Trade Agreement. When Pelosi tried to build opposition to the disgusting bankruptcy bill, it was Hoyer, the second-ranking Democrat in the House, who not only didn't whip against the bankruptcy bill, but actually voted for it, after pocketing massive campaign contributions from the banking industry. While Pelosi was taking a stand by voting against the Iraq War, Hoyer was voting for the Iraq War. And when Pelosi worked to keep her caucus together in opposing the GOP Energy Bill, it was Hoyer who voted for the nauseating legislation after pocketing more than $300,000 from energy/natural resource industry cash. That legislation that literally gave away billions of taxpayer dollars to the energy industry profiteers who proceeded to bilk Americans with higher and higher gas prices.

[OzarkDem]

75. Ok, that's a problem

Dems need to maintain message discipline if they're to overcome all the sniping in the news media. Having a House Majority Leader who goes behind the Speaker's back to leak information into the news media is a big, big problem.

Let's hope she gets Hoyer to stop it. That's just plain stupid.

[grizmaster]

76. I think Pelosi supported the Murtha candidacy

knowing full well he'd fall short just to send the message to Hoyer that he better play nice or she will not hesitate to whip a little party discipline into him.

Let's hope he got the message.

[antigop]

78. Thanks again, grizmaster.

n/t

[grizmaster]

39. I support the dems but I'm no supporter of Hoyer

Sorry, but I'm sticking with the progressive dems that want real change, not the old DLC guard.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/notion?pid=140373

In reality, Hoyer did disparage Murtha after the Pennsylvania Democrat broke with the Bush Administration's policy on the war last November. "I believe that a precipitous withdrawal of American forces in Iraq could lead to disaster," Hoyer wrote on November 30, "spawning a civil war, fostering a haven for terrorists and damaging our nation's security and credibility. I still believe that we can--and that we must--achieve success in Iraq."

Since then, Hoyer has edged away from his support of the war, emphasizing his unity with the Democratic caucus. And antiwar liberals have thus far split on who to support. Rep. Maxine Waters, head of the Out of Iraq Caucus, is backing Hoyer. In a letter sent yesterday, a group of progressive Democrats backing Hoyer cited his commitment to raising the minimum wage and support for civil rights, reproductive freedom and the environment as decisive factors.

http://www.issues2000.org/House/Steny_Hoyer_War_+_Peace.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/hoyers-campaign-to-under_b_11848.html

Then, while Pelosi works to resist the influence of corporate interests as she goes after the GOP's "culture of corruption," it is Hoyer who is deliberately landing stories in newspapers about his efforts to formalize his own system of legalized bribery - putting his own campaign wallet ahead of Democrats' efforts to develop a message of reform. Today in Roll Call, for instance, it was Hoyer who placed the story that details his efforts to "woo K Street" (aka. the corporate lobbying community). The story notes he convened a meeting of "50 business-minded Democratic consultants, lobbyists and corporate officers to get them to commit to writing checks." And in case you didn't think Hoyer was trying to land these stories - just check out his website where he brazenly displays a similar story, as if his corporate shakedown operation is a trophy to be marveled at - and not an albatross that directly undermines his party's message.

Finally, it has been Hoyer who has made a point of actively working against Pelosi on major congressional votes. You remember, it was Hoyer - the Democratic Whip - who refused to whip votes together to try to defeat the corporate-written Central American Free Trade Agreement. When Pelosi tried to build opposition to the disgusting bankruptcy bill, it was Hoyer, the second-ranking Democrat in the House, who not only didn't whip against the bankruptcy bill, but actually voted for it, after pocketing massive campaign contributions from the banking industry. While Pelosi was taking a stand by voting against the Iraq War, Hoyer was voting for the Iraq War. And when Pelosi worked to keep her caucus together in opposing the GOP Energy Bill, it was Hoyer who voted for the nauseating legislation after pocketing more than $300,000 from energy/natural resource industry cash. That legislation that literally gave away billions of taxpayer dollars to the energy industry profiteers who proceeded to bilk Americans with higher and higher gas prices.

[antigop]

40. Thank you, grizmaster.

Progressive Democrats don't support the outsourcing of jobs and killing off the middle class.

It absolutely boggles my mind that anyone can claim Hoyer has a "decent progressive record".

[slackmaster]

65. Congratulations to Congressman Hoyer, his family, staff, and friends

I believe he will do a fine job.

:toast:

[brentspeak]

73. Here is Hoyer's voting record on trade bills

However, it's necessary to examine the meaning of each bill -- some bills do opposite of what their title implies.

http://www.vote-smart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=H1681103

[antigop]

79. A book for everyone to read

Take this job and ship it:How Corporate Greed and Brain-Dead Politics are Selling Out America
by
Senator Byron Dorgan
http://www.amazon.com/Take-This-Job-Ship-Brain-Dead/dp/031235522X

Book Description:
>>
Our trade deficit increases by $2 billion a day. Pharmaceutical companies and their lobbyists have such influence in Washington that Medicare, by current law, is not allowed to negotiate lower drug prices. We import oil on an ever-increasing scale, putting ourselves into dept with the Saudis, the Kuwaitis, and other Middle Eastern nations. With their windfall profits, they continue to buy American assets. China’s booming economy and abundance of cheap labor are threatening our economic survival. We have mortgaged our fortunes, our principles, and our way of life.
In this comprehensive look at the real, human toll of America’s unsound trade policy, Senator Byron Dorgan exposes the myth of “free trade.” Indeed, free trade is not free; it is something that is slowly but surely draining away American prosperity. Sure, Chinese labor can drive down prices at Wal-Mart; at the same time, however, those saved wages—dollars that would have gone to buy these cheaper goods—are gone. Too soon, it will all come crashing down.
Major U.S. corporations continue to ship jobs overseas by the millions and, because of their influence in Washington, avoid paying a king’s ransom in taxes. Many billions of dollars that these companies fleece from the government and the American people go overwhelmingly to investments in expanding production capabilities overseas. In short, our government is in the grip of corporate and foreign interests, and the American worker has born the brunt of this culture of corruption. How can we stem the tide of outsourcing? Why has the White House done nothing? Will the middle class survive?
>>

[AnnieBW]

81. Steny's My Congressman

Yeah, he's a DINO who doesn't get Steven Colbert's act. But at least he's pro-choice. And, more important to his constituents, he takes good care of the Federal workers - of which there are many in his district. He supports the Iraq War because there's a LOT of military folks in his district. And he's pro-choice. I wouldn't call him a progressive in any sense of the word, and he schmoozes K Street a little too much for my tastes. That, and he didn't release his campaign funds to other Dems, even though he ran unopposed. But, he's a decent enough guy. I've got no complaints. Oh, and did I mention that he's pro-choice? :D

[OzarkDem]

85. Pro choice is meaningless

if he's weak on health care issues. Women have other health care needs besides abortion, you know.
You will find out some day when you're sick and have no insurance.

You may not be able to afford lifesaving health care some day, but at least you'll be able to have an abortion.

[antigop]

86. Thank you Annie

You said:
>
I wouldn't call him a progressive in any sense of the word, and he schmoozes K Street a little too much for my tastes.
>

Thank you.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

82. K&R long time no see... how's life treating you razor?

[SteppingRazor]

88. How's life treating me? Well, better than this thread!

:rofl:

[antigop]

84. Hoyer voted for the bankruptcy "reform" act

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll108.xml

Oh, yeah, he has a nice "progressive record".

Sure.

[DianeK]

89. I like to think that I pay close attention to what is going on

in the House and the Senate but truthfully, I don't think I had ever heard Hoyer's name before. I think that is a plus. I heard the man speak and he sounds like a moderate. I am very glad he got the majority leader position. At least for now, I like the tone of this new Democratic Leadership. I just hope they don't fuck it up.