Speaker Pelosi strikes out in her first at bat:
Democrats picked Rep. Steny Hoyer to be House majority leader on Thursday, spurning Rep. Nancy Pelosi's handpicked choice moments after unanimously backing her election as speaker when Congress convenes in January.
Meanwhile, Democrats have to explain to Big Media that, "these aren't the internecine battles you're looking for":
Wisconsin Rep. Dave Obey, who will chair the Appropriations Committee, said the divisions exposed by the race doesn't pose a problem for Pelosi.
"There's such universal respect and affection for Nancy. She's gutsy as hell and she's willing to take a chance..., push the envelope. "It was bitter between the two candidates, I suppose, but it wasn't bitter among the members of the caucus. People get over this stuff."
The Democrats did Nancy Pelosi a huge favor today. This morning Drudge had a headline up with Murtha saying he had the votes, even though the final tally turned out to be 149-86. How effective was she going to be with a #2 that couldn't count, was self delusional, or both?