Video: Pelosi, Hoyer, Murtha make nice
posted at 1:55 pm on November 16, 2006 by Allahpundit
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Two things to watch for here. First, Pelosi pausing — twice — while praising Murtha for applause that doesn’t come. And second, Murtha’s little verbal slip at the end. You’ll know it when you hear it.
Says the Observer:
Had she simply announced her preference for Murtha and stood on the sidelines, Hoyer’s win would mean nothing.
But by turning up the heat on her fellow Democrats only to lose lopsidedly, Pelosi may have empowered Hoyer, her longtime foe. Should some similar impasse occur in the future – whether over a leadership position or an actual policy item – Hoyer may have considerably more standing in convincing members that it’s okay to stick with him against the Speaker.
One of the posters at Red State mourns Murtha’s loss and the corruption scandals his leadership would have brought. I doubt it would have played out that way. For one thing, no one’s touched him in the 26 years since Abscam; if he’s dirty, he’s good at covering it up. For another thing, any DOJ investigation into corruption would have been parried with accusations that Bush was trying to crush his dissent about the war. Unless they had smoking-gun evidence on him, they probably wouldn’t want to risk the political heat.
Anyway. Byron York asks a question he already knows the answer to: “Does the new Democratic leadership in the House have a clue about what to do in Iraq?” And here’s a question of my own: do they know that Bill Clinton opposes a timetable for withdrawal?
Update: We’re having a little technical difficulty with the video right now. Standby. Should be working in a few minutes. While you wait, pay a visit to Planet Arianna, where this is somehow a victory for Pelosi.
Update: Okay, the clip should be loading now.
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Murtha has that “fade into the background” look Kerry had when the senate had their vote
William Amos on November 16, 2006 at 1:57 PM
What IS that giant sucking sound, now?
seejanemom on November 16, 2006 at 1:59 PM
I really hate it when politicians hold hands and lift them up in the air. It looks stupid.
Slublog on November 16, 2006 at 2:00 PM
This was a big circle-jerk for Murtha. “Sorry you didn’t get the position, but here… we’re all going to fawn over you and just how wonderful you are for a few minutes…feel better now?”
2 more years of this is going to put my gastro-intestinal tract to the test.
NTWR on November 16, 2006 at 2:01 PM
Maybe they’ll just keep themselves busy fighting each other for a couple years.
shooter on November 16, 2006 at 2:01 PM
I just bought my Tums and Pepto….in bulk.
KelliD on November 16, 2006 at 2:07 PM
A vote for McCain will put an end to that…
I’m probably going straight to hell for writing that…
rw on November 16, 2006 at 2:10 PM
Let’s not get carrried away. This is not a victory. It just means our defeat was not as bad as people(MSM) made it out to be. A loss is a loss. They are still threatening that even if we do not withdraw the troops from Iraq, they will withdraw the operational funds.
BohicaTwentyTwo on November 16, 2006 at 2:11 PM
Then they’ll cut their own throats, but I’m certainly not hoping they do it.
Editor on November 16, 2006 at 2:16 PM
I doubt blue dog dems will go with a cut off of funds to the troops
Bush can still persecute the WOT. He is the commander and Cheif.
Bush’s A #1 job is to get Osama now. It would give him his legacy and any attempt by the dems to impeach him would be DOA.
William Amos on November 16, 2006 at 2:23 PM
rw – very evil.
But funny.
It’s always been a peeve of mine, though.
Slublog on November 16, 2006 at 2:24 PM
rw, I can’t believe you wrote that. I feel horrible for laughing.
jman on November 16, 2006 at 2:25 PM
The Dems are going to spend the next 2 years fighting each other because they have no plan (they never did). Things are going to go to hell in a handbasket fast.
Rick on November 16, 2006 at 2:26 PM
fight or flight? I think we know the answer.
vcferlita on November 16, 2006 at 2:34 PM
Did Murtha make a Freudian slip or what?
jman on November 16, 2006 at 2:40 PM
I don’t think they’re going to waste much more time fighting each other. They have six years of Republican policies to undo. They’ll keep the mask of civility on long enough to get the amnesty passed. After that, they go after Bush hard; I’m just wondering if they’re going for the big money shot and try to oust cheney along with him. I’m not sure if such a thing is possible but if I were the democrats at this point, I’d go for it. The electorate is unserious and easily led. The press will forgive anything short of a severed head on a stick being displayed next to Nancy Pelosi; they’ve got carte blanche at this point. The GOP is imploding; this Martinez thing has us totally screwed in 2008. If I was them I’d go for Bush and Cheney and put Pelosi in via impeachment..this is the best time.
austinnelly on November 16, 2006 at 2:43 PM
Flight, huh? Just like the Duke of Plaza-Toro (Gilbert and Sullivan)
DUKE
My child, the Duke of Plaza-Toro does not follow
fashions-he leads them. He always leads everybody.
When he was in the army he led his regiment.
He occasionally led them into action.
He invariably led them out of it.
SONG-DUKE OF PLAZA-TORO.
In enterprise of martial kind,
When there was any fighting,
He led his regiment from behind-
He found it less exciting.
But when away his regiment ran,
His place was at the fore, O-
That celebrated,
Cultivated,
Underrated
Nobleman,
The Duke of Plaza-Toro!
ALL
In the first and foremost flight, ha, ha!
You always found that knight, ha, ha!
That celebrated,
Cultivated,
Underrated
Nobleman,
The Duke of Plaza-Toro!
DUKE
When, to evade Destruction’s hand,
To hide they all proceeded,
No soldier in that gallant band
Hid half as well as he did.
He lay concealed throughout the war,
And so preserved his gore, O!
That unaffected,
Undetected,
Well-connected
Warrior,
The Duke of Plaza-Toro!
ALL
In every doughty deed, ha, ha!
He always took the lead, ha, ha!
That unaffected,
Undetected,
Well-connected
Warrior,
The Duke of Plaza-Toro!
DUKE
When told that they would all be shot
Unless they left the service,
That hero hesitated not,
So marvellous his nerve is.
He sent his resignation in,
The first of all his corps, O!
That very knowing,
Overflowing,
Easy-going
Paladin,
The Duke of Plaza-Toro!
ALL
To men of grosser clay, ha, ha!
He always showed the way, ha, ha!
That very knowing,
Overflowing,
Easy-going
Paladin,
The Duke of Plaza-Toro!
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on November 16, 2006 at 2:49 PM
I like to think positive. That being said, every time I see these faces and hear them speak, all I can think is this. We are all gonna die. Positively!
soulsirkus on November 16, 2006 at 2:49 PM
Indeed, they’ve led the flight from Iraq. Heh.
Kid from Brooklyn on November 16, 2006 at 2:49 PM
I’m at work so I can’t watch…did Hoyer promise to work slavishly on behalf of the Democrats?
James on November 16, 2006 at 2:52 PM
Maybe it’s just me, but Murtha didn’t look too happy in the video…his eyebrows seemed to consume his eyes a bit more than usual.
StoutRepublican on November 16, 2006 at 2:56 PM
Good Lord! Like watching the real awkward parts of Meet the Parents, but without the humorous undercurrent. Good good Lord! She’s so dense, I almost feel sorry for her.
She’s a horrible, horrible speaker. Likely just as bad a politician.
Bottom line, she’s got the power (her only goal), but has no idea what to do with it. She’ll be so easy to beat. . .by anyone other than the GOP.
plaidsheetman on November 16, 2006 at 3:04 PM
Also from Arianna’s fantasy land:
Is that what the message was? I thought it was about the “culture of corruption” and “illegal immigration.” And for the part of it that WAS about Iraq … I still tend to believe it was more about wanting MORE aggressive policy, rather than retreat.
More from Arianna:
I would think “what real leaders do” is succeed in leading by being skilled at the art of convincing others to follow. I doubt many successful “real leaders” made a habit of being ignored and humiliated by their own team.
And I guess Pelosi, being the “real leader” that she is … felt that Murtha was a battle worth fighting? Even knowing in advance the negative effect he might have in upcoming corruption investigations?
What a leader! This sort of confusion and dimentia might explain why Huffington is running a blog rather than the State of California.
Gregor on November 16, 2006 at 3:07 PM
Nancy’s led the flight!!
Try as she might, she couldn’t hide her disappointment behind the botox smile, and Okinawa Jack didn’t look too happy either. I think Hoyer and Rahm Emanuael were the only two that looked like they appreciated the results.
thirteen28 on November 16, 2006 at 3:07 PM
BTW, can we please dispence with the vomitile cliches, Nancy?
“Truth to power?” “Let the healing begin?”
Gag me with a dump truck.
thirteen28 on November 16, 2006 at 3:08 PM
Jack Murtha, thank you for letting your true colors slip through. Way to go.
I thought the Democrats told the leadership of Iraq that we’re not going anywhere right away. These statements make it sound like we’ll be gone by February. 1+1 isn’t equaling 2 here. How stupid do these people think we are?
flutejpl on November 16, 2006 at 3:09 PM
‘I was proud to support him for majority leader because I thought that would be the best way to end the war in Iraq‘(sic)………..
Gee..so much for the hidden agenda….Nanny just put her poker hand face up on the table before drawing any cards.
Anyone who thinks that the plebs won’t be calling for the legions to come home and distribute grain is on meds.
Cut and Run…Here We Come. Hoyer won’t be able to drag her back. Get ready for Opertion Frequent Wind 2.
Israel better dust off E=mc2 cause this House is going to tie Israel to an ant hill and tell the world that the House didn’t kill Israel, the ants did.
Dr. Strangelove where are you?
Limerick on November 16, 2006 at 3:17 PM
Murtha or Hoyer?
Lenin or Trotsky?
What’s the difference?
irishsquid on November 16, 2006 at 3:18 PM
I think it is racist. I severely offended by it.
If you are not offended, I think you are a racist too.
I wish that I could just say the above.
Ouabam on November 16, 2006 at 3:18 PM
I enjoyed Emmanuel’s hands on hips posture while Pelosi was speaking. You could just feel him thinking “OK Nancy, wrap it up.” I’d feel a lot better for the future of this country if there were more Dems cut from his mold rather than Pelosi and Murtha’s. Or Hoyer’s, for that matter.
Dudley Smith on November 16, 2006 at 3:24 PM
“Let the healing begin?”
Start by taking knives out of the backs of all of the people you butchered with your poisonous rethoric.
jman on November 16, 2006 at 3:24 PM
Medved is reporting that Pelois and Hoyer have hated each other’s guts since they were high school interns — 40 years. ha ha ha!
EF on November 16, 2006 at 3:25 PM
Yeah,that skeery smile/pause while waiting for applause was classic. I’m still a bit stifled by the fact that they had no trouble voting her in but turned around and smacked down her first major move.Social Schizophrenia in action much?
bbz123 on November 16, 2006 at 3:32 PM
hillbillyjim on November 16, 2006 at 3:47 PM
I screwed up blockquote; shoulda closed after – ‘healing begin?”‘ Last line mine.
hillbillyjim on November 16, 2006 at 3:55 PM
WTF!? I am going to lose my mind if I here “change” and “new direction” out of these POS one more time! I so wish Lieberman would hold a press conference and say “the next one of you who pulls that bullsh**, aiming to appeal to the retarded who can’t see that you don’t have a single plan or idea, I will punch you in the face!”
Am I the only one infuriated by that crap? I mean I have literally heard it probably over 1,000 times at this point. “Time for a change” “go a new direction”. What direction? What is the change? It shows you just how retarded the majority of Americans are that the media was able to sell them on this effing circus.
RightWinged on November 16, 2006 at 3:56 PM
Okay, I’m gonna get skewered for this, but Ms. Pelosi…kind of hot for an older woman.
Matticus Finch on November 16, 2006 at 4:10 PM
Ms. Pelosi…kind of hot for an unblinking communist drone.
NTWR on November 16, 2006 at 4:25 PM
Wow! Nancy was lierally gritting her teeth the whole time.
greggish on November 16, 2006 at 4:28 PM
“Speaking truth to power”…a small code phrase to her moonbat constituency to let them know she still hears them.
How awkward was her trying to pretend she attends church. Reminds me of the line in the SNL skit this weekend: “America is a religous nation, my staff tells me.” Her trying to be “churched” sounded like Hillary trying to sound churched.
Two years of bumblin’ and stumblin’ coming right up.
Mallard T. Drake on November 16, 2006 at 4:37 PM
Ha! I would have thought that AP was messing around with the “pause” button on that clip if I didn’t see other people moving around her. LOL! How awkward! And how’s that for throwing in a “religious” reference with the whole “Let there be peace on Earth” thing. And isn’t it supposed to begin with “me” instead of “us”??? Figures. She’s probably never actually heard the song…
lan astaslem on November 16, 2006 at 4:44 PM
I’m with ya, RightWinged. Remember when pelosi et al couldn’t get in front of a camera without endlessly repeating that daft ‘culture of corruption’ BS?
For the libs it’s all about the meme. All about the catch phrase, and sound byte.
Empty husks, one and all.
techno_barbarian on November 16, 2006 at 4:51 PM
Yawn…
x95b10 on November 16, 2006 at 4:55 PM
Okay, I’m gonna get skewered for this, but Ms. Pelosi…kind of hot for an older woman.
Skewered? I think you should be horse-whipped.
Dave R. on November 16, 2006 at 5:09 PM
I question his eye sight. ;)
techno_barbarian on November 16, 2006 at 5:15 PM
Who’s the Ted Kennedy look-alike in the background?
Troy Rasmussen on November 16, 2006 at 5:36 PM
“. . . lead the FLIGHT . . .” LOL!!!
Troy Rasmussen on November 16, 2006 at 5:44 PM
I don’t know what “church” Nancy attends…but in mine, our hymn book reads “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me“…….not “us”.
Her lyrics must be from the new “Than Franthisco valuesth” hymn book.
The Ugly American on November 16, 2006 at 5:52 PM
Let the healing begin? LOL! My favorite faux pas was Pelosi’s reference to Hoyer’s “stunning victory.”
I’m not too worried about Murtha spear heading defense cuts. For starters, it would complicate his access to pork. If that’s small comfort, take a look at the proposed Dem line-up on the Armed Services Committee, and then picture Carl Levin trying to make this crowd toe his line:
CHAIR: Levin
Kennedy
Byrd
Lieberman
Reed
Akaka
Nelson (Fl)
Nelson (Ne)
Bayh
Clinton
Pryor
Webb
McCaskill
Where Iraq is concerned, even if Dems out number Republicans 13/11, poor Carl has to keep Lieberman (!), Clinton (!), & presumably Webb on the Plantation. Then you have Bayh used to make sense before he started running for President, and the Nelsons who aren’t exactly nutroots material. YMMV, but I don’t think we’ll be jumping ship in Iraq any time soon.
JM Hanes on November 16, 2006 at 5:55 PM
BTW…I thought that by even mentioning church, G*d or Jesus automatically puts you into the crazy fundamentalist politican catagory.
Then again, she’s a Democrat so mentioning anything religious is a-okay.
The Ugly American on November 16, 2006 at 5:58 PM
That’s right. She’s a Democrat. It’s not “hypocrisy”, it’s “pragmatism”.
irishsquid on November 16, 2006 at 7:06 PM
I never realized what a remarkably poor speaker she is. She comes across as plastic as a Barbie doll.
Maxx on November 16, 2006 at 9:56 PM
Uh no, not at all – it was actually a “botched joke”. And shame on you for making such slanderous accusations!
RD on November 16, 2006 at 10:49 PM
Check his voting record.
Purple Avenger on November 17, 2006 at 1:08 PM
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