To all those who have said the netroots should stay out of the Murtha/Hoyer Majority Leader vote, a current congresswoman (D) from California, Zoe Lofgren urges the netroots to contact their representative to voice support for Jack Murtha as Majority Leader.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
"As the senior woman on the House Judiciary Committee I have often been in the lead in the effort to protect choice. One year I was proud to receive an "F minus" rating from the National Rifle Association (you have to do extra work for the minus!). That Jack and I don't see eye to eye on these two issues simply is irrelevant to the majority leader position.
Our Democratic caucus will call the shots on these issues and others of a similar controversial nature, not the majority leader. What we have in Jack Murtha is someone courageous enough to speak out on Iraq when others were afraid to do so. He will lead the caucus with distinction and he will round out a team of leadership headed by our incoming Speaker Pelosi. I hope that netroots can help make his election a reality by letting your representatives know that this matters to you."
Having watched Ellen Tauscher for Hoyer and Jim McDermott for Murtha on Hardball lastnight argue why they are supporting each candidate, Tauscher said Hoyer helped her fundraise and support her and helped her get on committees once she got to D.C.. McDermott said Jack Murtha has been a leader on Iraq and Iraq will continue to be a huge issue. McDermott said Murtha is the only one ("not even close") that can provide dem leadership in the house.
Again, every elected official has clarified that the Majority Leader DOES NOT MAKE POLICY - the major reason most people give for supporting Hoyer's positions over Murtha.
Abscam happened in 1980 has already been investigated and Murtha was not indicted.
Contact your representative to urge support.
http://www.house.gov/
or (202)224-3121
Iraq is not going away in the next 2 years and if there is no clear democratic opposition and leadership it will cost us seats in 2008.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
On Aug. 1, when Pelosi announced eight new endorsements, Hoyer claimed 100. On Sept. 4, when Pelosi released two more names, for a total of 100, Hoyer upped his count to 101." Pelosi won the post 118-95. 3) Here's the best summation of why Dems should vote for Jack Murtha, courtesy of Rep. Jim McDermott: "The president's worst nightmare is to have to sit at breakfast with Jack Murtha...Jack will be a real leader."