Today's vote on Majority Leader would not have hurt Pelosi had she not openly endorsed Murtha. However, by endorsing him, she was put in a lose-lose situation: either have a Majority Leader who will be associated with ABSCAM and killing ethics legislation, or have a K-Street supporting Majority Leader who is only less corrupt rather than free of skeletons.
Thankfully we're done with this battle, but Speaker Pelosi has another test: whether or not to give Alcee Hastings to Chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee. If she does so, it will be a grave mistake.
Back in the 1980's, Hastings was a federal judge in the southern district of Florida. In 1989, he was
impeached by the House in a 413-3 and convicted in the Senate by a 69-26 vote (I think Pelosi herself voted for his impeachment.)
Unfortunately, Pelosi does not get along well with Jane Harman, who wants to become Chairwoman after spending years as the ranking member. While Harman is being
investigaeted for her ties to AIPAC, she hasn't been removed from office or tried for anything, whereas Hastings has.
However, there is a third candidate that Pelosi could consider, and that is Silvestre Reyes. Pelosi is considering him in addition to Hastings. She also added in that NYT article that she could select someone who isn't even on the committee. As long as she doesn't give in to the CBC (who supported William Jefferson when he was stripped of his committee assignments.)