Pelosi’s Predicament

Soon-to-be Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) continuously hammered two themes during the previous election: a culture of Washington corruption and a subservient, rubberstamp Congress bowing before incompetent leadership. She claimed she would need 100 hours to "drain the swamp" and eradicate the evils of a Republican Congress while promising "the most honest, most open and most ethical Congress in history." Those hundred hours have not yet begun and she has recanted both promises, as demonstrated in a single event.

Mrs. Pelosi has been actively corralling support for Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), undermining the presumptive nominee, Steny Hoyer (D-MD), in a bid for Majority Leader. "She will ensure that (Murtha) wins. This is hardball politics... We are entering an era where when the Speaker instructs you what to do, you do it," said Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), a Murtha supporter. This display hardly repudiates the Congressional Republican leadership for its insistence on 'rubberstamp' adherence.

Meanwhile, Mr. Murtha has been eviscerated by activists from the far-left flank. "I thought we were above this type of swift-boating attack," said Mr. Murtha after CREW blasted him as "one of the most unethical members in Congress." He was also listed in their September 20, 2006 report, "Beyond DeLay: The 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and five to watch)."

Before Mrs. Pelosi even had the opportunity to take the gavel, she's already compromised her honesty and integrity on two electoral underpinnings.

Update: Steny Hoyer has defeated John Murtha for the #2 post, 149-86.