Seven chairmen back Steny Hoyer (including Frank) ?

[FBaggins]

Seven House committee chairmen are sending a letter to colleagues in support of Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer's bid to be minority whip in the next Congress. "Hoyer is a tested leader who can help Democrats rise to the challenge of the next Congress, protect the interests of the middle class, and win back the majority. For those reasons, we support Steny Hoyer as our next Democratic Whip, and we hope that you will do the same," Reps. Henry Waxman, Howard Berman and Bob Filner of California, Barney Frank and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Nick Rahall of West Virginia and Silvestre Reyes of Texas write, according to a copy of the letter obtained by POLITICO.

Hoyer, currently the majority leader, is locked in a battle with majority whip James Clyburn of South Carolina for what will be the No. 2 spot in the Democratic hierarchy come January.
Clyburn picked up the backing of Caucus Vice Chairman Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.).

Some Democrats hope that Clyburn, the highest-ranking African American in Congress, will remain in leadership — perhaps by shifting down to caucus chairman — if Hoyer wins. However, Clyburn suggested to the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call that he's not interested in that post for the time being because he's "been there."


http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/44873.html

[ananda]

1. Boy that sucks.

Go Clyburn!

[leveymg]

2. AIPAC, at work. Still wields a mighty checkbook.

Steny is their guy.

[kentuck]

3. I think these partisan fights may make Democrats unable to do anything

in the lame-duck session.

[FBaggins]

5. The existing leadership remains in place for the lame duck session.

Though I suppose that all but 2-3 of the new House caucus will be there... I don't think the vote begins until January.

[gateley]

4. I'm surprised about Frank and Waxman. There are a few that I always assume

think exactly like I do on everything :7, and Frank and Waxman are in that group. :shrug: I don't know anything about the others mentioned. If these good guys are backing Hoyer and he wins, I won't be TOO scared. Ideally Clyburn will remain. *crossing fingers*

[Yeshuah Ben Joseph]

8. See reply #2 in this thread

Waxman always steps out of character and loses his mind when AIPAC is involved (see his endorsement of warmonger Jane Harmon in this year's primary over the Liberal Marci Winograd)

Steny's speech to AIPAC around the time of Chimpy's invasion of Iraq was a real stomach turner. Add his prostitution to the Wall Street banking criminal industry and it's clear that he's a horrible choice for any leadership position.

As bad as Heath Shuler, if not worse.

Neither JP Morgan Chase, nor AIPAC needs to be setting the agenda for what's left of the Democratic party in Congress.

[gateley]

9. Ah -- I see. It seems a few rational people lose

their objectivity when AIPAC is in the picture. I'm not saying I wouldn't do the same if I were Jewish, but since I'm not, I'd like them to be less involved when it comes to We The People. (Kind of a do as I say, not as I do attitude, I realize that.)

Thanks for the clarification! :hi:

[karynnj]

6. Interesting group of representatives backing Hoyer

They include many of the strongest white liberals in the House.

This really looks like a no win situation. There are three leadership positions that need to become two. The problem is that Hoyer represents the more conservative wing - which has lost seats, but in a future election, he is more similar to the most likely to succeed candidates to take back seats. If he is not there in some way, would the party be seen as unfriendly to moderates?

Yet, for a party that consistently gets 90% or more of the black vote, how can they push Clayburn out without demoralizing an extremely important part of the base. In addition, looking at results - Clayburn did an exceptional job as whip. There was no vote taken to the floor where they were unpleasantly surprised by the votes.

What I wonder is why the liberals are not pushing Hoyer to take the caucus position they want Clayburn to take - especially as they are likely most closely aligned to Pelosi who will be the minority leader. Is it as simple as wanting everyone to take one step down? (Though it is really more than that because there is a HUGE difference being in the minority.)

[Clio the Leo]

7. I'm sure it has to do with the President being out of pocket....

.... since he's the leader of the party and sets the policy message ... but it bothers me that (almost) all we're hearing from the GOP post-election is about policy and all we're hearing from the DEMS is about who they're voting for re: party leadership.