Rep. Nancy Pelosi, in line to become speaker of the House, stepped into a postelection power struggle among fellow Democrats on Sunday with a letter of support for Rep. Jack Murtha in the race to pick a majority leader.I'm sure Steny Hoyer appreciates this. But he and Pelosi have never been close.
''Your presence in the leadership of our party would add a knowledgeable and respected voice to our Democratic team,'' Pelosi, D-Calif., wrote Murtha. The Pennsylvania lawmaker is widely viewed as an underdog in a two-man race with Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer in this week's leadership elections.
Murtha issued a statement saying, ''I am deeply gratified to receive the support of Speaker Pelosi, a tireless advocate for change and a true leader for our party and our country.''
Murtha could good be a counterpart for Pelosi if he can address the ethics questions.
