(Updated) 2 independent sources say Rep Murtha's (D-PA) campaign conceded that they will fall short

[kpete]

Dem Leadership Update: Race Over?
Two independent sources say Rep. John Murtha's (D-PA) campaign conceded that they will likely fall short.

Dems have been caucusing in the Cannon Caucus Room for a little more than an hour and are expected to announce their new leadership team late this a.m. or early this afternoon.

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/11/dem_leadership_2.html


UPDATED

Editor's Note: Majority Leader's Race
An earlier post incorrectly insinuated that Rep. John Murtha's campaign has conceded the majority leader's race.

Murtha's campaign hasn't conceded.

The vote for whip hasn't yet occurred.

We regret leaving our readers with the impression that the race was decided before it was decided.

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2006/11/dem_leadership_2.html

[babylonsister]

1. Yep. Just heard on MSNBC, too. nt

[grizmaster]

2. Even if Murtha is just close

it puts Hoyer on notice not to get to big in his britches or he can be replaced.

[Sammy Pepys]

3. He was running against the former Whip....

Hoyer knows everyone.

[William769]

4. What happened to the progressives majority?

[saracat]

5. But Murtha isn't a Progressive!

He is anti choice and a conservative Dem. He is just against the war. That alone doesn't make you a progressive.

[William769]

6. I thought progressives were backing him over hoyer?

[KharmaTrain]

14. Here's A List Of Hoyer's Supporters

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=2724595

Plenty of Progressive names on there. But this is inside baseball...it has nothing to do with ideology as much as who can keep the caucus united and moving forward. I supported Murtha because I felt he offered experience in getting consensus and pushing our agenda forward.

Whomever wins, I feel the party will quickly close ranks as the real confrontations lie ahead...against an Executive that wants to tie this Congress up and fighting us every step of the way.

[William769]

15. I wished everyone here felt this way.

"Whomever wins, I feel the party will quickly close ranks as the real confrontations lie ahead...against an Executive that wants to tie this Congress up and fighting us every step of the way."

[Parisle]

7. As former Whip, Hoyer was "in line" for the job

---- Pelosi was acting in a mild breech of organizational tradition and unspoken groundrules --- not that I care for Hoyer's "K-Street expediency" mindset, however. It appears that the party as a whole wants to go by the book,.... Perhaps Pelosi is also getting a gentle reminder that she's the Speaker, and not the Queen.

[Selatius]

8. Progessives don't hold a majority inside the Dems. I dunno anyone who says they did either.

Blue Dogs and others combined have more than the Progressive Caucus does. They have the plurality but not the majority.

[William769]

10. Thats my point!

I've been beaten over the head this past week that progressives have the majority in Congress & the rest of us just needs to get used to it.

[Selatius]

13. All it means is they have the largest share of the pie, but not most of it

It'll be interesting to see the new power dynamic emerges as all negotiate a direction. I would think because of the plurality they hold, the party will shift leftward on economic issues. The only queation is to what degree.

[kentuck]

9. I thought this might happen last night...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2726488&mesg_id=2726488

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. It Would Have Been Better For A Third Choice To Emerge

Now partisans of the losing side are going to feel defeated...

[flpoljunkie]

12. Inquiring minds would like to know who gave Hotline this erroneous information.