HEY, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE HIDING WHAT'S AT STAKE:

Iraq War Critic Surprises Democrats: Murtha Says He Will Run for Majority Leader if Party Wins (Shailagh Murray, June 10, 2006, Washington Post)

Rep. John P. Murtha (Pa.), one of the Democrats' leading antiwar voices, startled his political colleagues yesterday by announcing he would seek a senior leadership position if the Democrats win control of the House in November.

In a letter that he circulated on the floor during a series of votes, Murtha said he is eyeing the No. 2 position. "If we prevail as I hope and know we will and return to the majority this next Congress, I have decided to run for the open seat of the Majority Leader," Murtha wrote.

The presumed favorite for that job had been the current No. 2 House Democrat, Steny H. Hoyer (Md.), with whom Murtha has long had testy relations. Hoyer, like many of his political colleagues, greeted Murtha's announcement with annoyance and exasperation, given that the election remains five months off and a Democratic victory is by no means assured.

The Democrats entire strategy for the mid-term is to hide what it is they would do with power and play up supposed GOP corruption. A week in which they can't even win the seat of a jailed Republican and Mr. Murtha makes it clear what the party truly wants to do just can't be helpful.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 10, 2006 9:43 AM