Tel-Chai Nation

The Democrats' caucus chose Steny Hoyer to be majority leader. Aww, poor, poor Pelosi.

Also, here's some interesting news concerning John Murtha, though not without bias involved:

WASHINGTON — Though incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promises to push through ethical reforms in Congress, both of the Democrats vying to be her second-in-command have long histories of earmarking, close relationships with corporate interests, and using their positions to raise millions of dollars in campaign contributions.

Pelosi's choice for the job, Rep. John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, used his seat on the appropriations committee and the largely secret earmark process to obtain $121 million in earmarks during the current session, making him one of the top earmarkers in Congress, according to the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense.

Murtha, a tough-talking veteran who made headlines last year by denouncing President Bush's policy in Iraq, directed much of the money to firms and institutions in Johnstown, Pa., in his district. Defense contractors and other beneficiaries dominated a list of Murtha's top campaign contributors.

Murtha was an unindicted co-conspirator in the Abscam scandal of the 1970s, which has prompted some to support the other man seeking the House majority leader's job — Rep. Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland — as the more ethical candidate.

Knock it off with "tough-talk" please. Weak-talk is more like it. Other than that, it's interesting to see that one of Murtha's own shady dealings of yore is now coming to light.

Others on the subject include Michelle Malkin, The Sundries Shack, Stop the ACLU, 186k Per Second, Webloggin, A Blog for All.

Labels: US Congress