Crowning Majority Leader, Democrats Are All Smiles and Bile

"We've got the votes, and we are going to win it," announced Andrew Koneschusky, a press guy Murtha borrowed for the occasion. Protesting that some outlets had reported that Murtha had conceded, he said, "Any reports of concession are false." Would he say the reports are total you-know-what?

"These rumors are total crap," Koneschusky affirmed.

Outside, a tornado watch was in effect, and reporters were plotting ways to work the cheap metaphor into their stories. Pelosi aides, seeking to reduce the vortex, decided to put out more flags. There were already seven outside the caucus room, but staffers brought in two more and arranged a star-spangled gantlet for the leaders.

Pelosi and Hoyer emerged together and clasped hands in an exaggerated show of camaraderie. Behind them, Murtha wore a miserable expression, even when Pelosi hailed his "magnificent contribution." She continued: "I was proud to support him for majority leader, because I thought that would be the best way to bring an end to the war in Iraq." Now it was Hoyer's turn for discomfort; he listened slightly agape.

The gracious Hoyer spoke fondly of Pelosi and the "good team" they make; they indulged in another showy handshake, albeit with minimal eye contact. Murtha, granted a turn at the microphone, offered a pithy postmortem: "I didn't have enough votes." Frowning, he returned to his place in the back and stuffed his hands back in his pockets.

The awkwardness continued. Pelosi described Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), the incoming caucus chairman, as "coldblooded." Emanuel promised the "strongest ethical package," prompting Murtha to stare at his shoes. At another point, Pelosi appeared to undermine her rank and file, noting that she had promised to "do everything possible" to end the Iraq war. "The caucus thought differently," she added.

The first questioner, Fox News's Major Garrett, took the opportunity to remind Pelosi that "nearly 60 percent of House Democrats defied your call to vote for John Murtha" and asked: "In retrospect, what does that say about the wisdom of that endorsement and your clout within the Democratic Party?"

Actually, Garrett understated the rejection -- 63 percent of Democrats defied her. "I stand very, very proudly behind my endorsement of Mr. Murtha," she maintained, even if the caucus "thought otherwise."

"Any regrets?" Garrett pressed. "No," Pelosi answered. "I'm not a person that has regrets."