Report: Pelosi working the phones for Spanky; Update: Hoyer leads, 90-32

She’s lobbying hard on his behalf, which may be the first case of lobbying done in connection with Murtha that didn’t involve money changing hands. Will it work? Rangel backed off his endorsement of Hoyer after Pelosi had a chat with him, but others are standing firm:

[N]ine other incoming full committee chairmen are supporting Hoyer. Reps. John Dingell (D-Mich.), Barney Frank (D-Mass.), Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), John Spratt (D-S.C.), Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) signed a letter yesterday backing Hoyer…

Another House Democrat supporting Hoyer was incensed that Pelosi was exerting her influence in the caucus, asserting that it will further divide House Democrats.

“It’s an incredible display of hubris,” the member said, using a phrase Pelosi herself sometimes employs. “It’s incredibly egotistical. We all got us here. We all got us to the promised land and Steny’s not going to the promised land?”

The member said regardless of who ultimately wins the Thursday election, the effect of Pelosi actively getting involved in the race would reverberate for some time.

“Either way, it’s damaging,” the member said.

Ruth Marcus agrees:

If she gets her way and helps Murtha win a come-from-behind victory against Maryland’s Steny Hoyer in tomorrow’s leadership election, she’s buying herself — and the Democratic caucus — endless news stories about Murtha’s ethics. If, as he says, Hoyer has the votes, Pelosi has made herself look weak within the caucus — not a smart move for any new leader, and certainly not for the first woman in the job.

It’s “lose-lose” now, says Marcus. Or, if you’re a conservative, win-win.

John Fund’s got plenty more, including dire quotes from exasperated Dems about putting foxes in charge of the henhouse and this irresistible capper tying it all back to Abscam: “In contrast to Sen. John McCain, whose experience in the 1990 Keating Five scandal turned him into a good-government reformer, Mr. Murtha’s brush with infamy stirred in him a conviction that members of Congress deserve more protection from ethics probes.” Plus examples!

The vote’s tomorrow — by secret ballot, which makes things somewhat easier for Hoyer supporters who don’t want to draw Nancy’s wrath. If Spanky wins, and if William “Dollar Bill” Jefferson ends up being reelected next month, we’ll have ourselves quite a narrative to work with next year.

Exit question: Howard Kurtz notes that the LA Times did a long expose of Murtha’s shady dealings back in June 2005, shortly before he emerged as the most vocal congressional critic of the war. For some strange reason, the story didn’t gain traction in the mainstream media until now. Anyone have any theories why? I’m stumped.

Update: Hotline’s got a list of Democratic House members who have publicly declared their support. Hoyer needs roughly 30 votes among the undecideds to win — assuming that none of his declareds defect for fear of Pelosi.

Among the Murtha supporters: Dennis Kucinich and Patches Kennedy.

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