Steny Hoyer and John Murtha are vying for the position of House Majority Leader. The clear distinction between them is Murtha's unapologetic demand for troop withdrawal and Hoyer's reluctance to jump the Murtha bandwagon. However, what most don't know, is how conservative Murtha really is.
On John Aravosis' cite
Americablog, we see an interesting CONSERVATIVE outlook for Murtha.
LIBERAL-MINDED GROUPS
0% - NARAL (pro-choice group)
0% - Planned Parenthood
34% - Humane Society
44% - ACLU
45% - US PIRG
56% - League of Conservation Voters
33% to 17% to 63% over 3 years - Human Rights Campaign (gay civil rights)
74% - NAACP
78% - Children's Defense Fund
96% - Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
100% - National Education Association (they're a good education group)
CONSERVATIVE-MINDED GROUPS
28% - Focus on the Family, Family Research Council (religious right)
50% - John Birch Society (insanely conservative)
50% - Eagle Forum (Phyllis Schlafly)
53% - Christian Coalition (religious right)
70% - National Right to Life (anti-choice)
92% - National Rifle Association
Further, Aravosis also cites Murtha's ethical problems, since he was listed on CREW's "Five Members to Watch List."
Lastly, as Jonathan Singer of MyDD stated...MyDD
Regardless of Hoyer's propensity to diverge from progressive talking points -- and indeed votes, at times -- he has been more effective in this respect than any other Democrat in the position in recent memory. According to a report by CQ in January, House Democrats were more unified in 2005 than at any other point since the periodical has tracked votes. Likewise, House Democrats more strongly opposed President Bush in 2005 than in any other year.
True, Hoyer is not in line with the party base on the issue of the Iraq W ]ar -- a problem that I do not mean to understate. That said, on some fairly key votes, Murtha has been on the wrong side of the ledger. On the issue of lobbying reform, for instance, Murtha was one of just four Democrats who effectively blocked the party's piece of legislationg, allowing the GOP to pass a sham of a bill. On other issues, be they social or fiscal, Murtha often tends to be towards the right of the party caucus.
All I will say, is that before we jump the Murtha Bandwagon, we should take a closer look at Steny Hoyer. Murtha would seem like a bad choice for voters, because of his involvement in ethical (or unethical conduct) as CREW highlights. After all, this year, voters were sick of Corruption...
Might be better to go for the safe, true and tested choice in Hoyer.