Hoyer V Murtha is not a U.S. Supreme Courtcase. No, it's not a legal battle. It's going to be more like a wrestling battle. Like Hulk Hogan V the Rock. As CBN predicted on Election night and confirmed this morning, moderate House member Steny Hoyer will take on anti-war House member John Murtha for the title of House Majority leader. This morning, incoming House speaker Nancy Pelosi threw her support behind Murtha.  Here's part of her letter to Murtha.

“Your strong voice for national security, the war on terror and Iraq provides genuine leadership for our party, and I count on you to continue to lead on these vital issues. For this and for all you have done for Democrats in the past and especially this last year, I am pleased to support your candidacy for majority leader for the 110th Congress.”

On Election night, I told Pat Robertson get ready for a battle royale between Murtha and Hoyer. You see, Pelosi and hoyer don't like each other. There's bad blood between them. Pelosi views Hoyer as too pro-war effort. Hoyer is one of the old defense hawks in the Democratic party. Pelosi hates that among other things. Murtha on the other hand has a close relationship with Pelosi and he has led the effort to pull troops out of Iraq. That's what Pelosi wants and what we are finding out is that whatever Pelosi wants, Pelosi gets. She's golden right now. Her support for Murtha is not good news for Hoyer even though Hoyer claims he has the votes to win the position of Majority leader. Here's Hoyer's statement I just received this morning:

"Nancy told me some time ago that she would personally support Jack.  I respect her decision as the two are very close. I am grateful for the support I have from my colleagues, and have the majority of the caucus supporting me.  I look forward to working with Speaker Pelosi as Majority Leader."

This isn't simply an inside politics story. What this represents is the larger issue of the Democrats dilemna. What are they going to do about Iraq? What's the future diretcion? Will it be the anti-war, pull the troops out as fast as you can approach?  With Murtha and Pelosi in charge, that may be the signal. With Hoyer and Pelosi together, it makes it a slower go. This is a secret ballot so that helps the well liked Hoyer in the sense that Democrats can vote their conscience without retribution from Pelosi. BUT...Pelosi is very good at twisting arms (Tom Delay in high heals) and Murtha is also well liked. Prediction? Too close to call but if I had to, I would never bet against Pelosi's man. Not now at least.