Pelosi Makes History, but Loses Leadership Fight

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2006 — -- Nancy Pelosi made history today by becoming the first female nominated to be speaker of the House. But her ascension -- along with much of the Democratic agenda -- has already been overshadowed by her first setback: Pelosi's favored candidate for the No. 2 leadership spot, Rep. Jack Murtha of Pennsylvania, lost to current Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland.

Hoyer's victory, by a margin of 149-86, was a blow to Pelosi in the first test of her clout as leader of the majority.

The battle created new tensions among Democrats, with many complaining that Pelosi handled the matter clumsily -- and was unnecessarily divisive -- at a time when Democrats hoped to show the public that they were united and prepared to lead.

Pelosi's support for Murtha was not a surprise. Murtha has long been a close ally of Pelosi's, while Pelosi and Hoyer have had a tense relationship ever since they ran against each other for the position of minority whip in 2001.

But her decision to make her support public, in a letter released Sunday night, and her use of what some complained were hardball tactics -- pointedly urging members in phone calls and meetings and floor conversations to support her preferred choice -- caught some Democrats off guard.

Pelosi aides and allies countered that her approach had not been especially heavy-handed. They said she kept out of the race until this week and stuck to her regular schedule in the days leading up to the vote.

Speaking to reporters today, Pelosi emphasized that her support for Murtha was largely about Iraq.

"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," she said.

Murtha, a Vietnam veteran whose stance on many issues is to the right of his Democratic colleagues, created a stir when he came out publicly in favor of withdrawing from Iraq last year. Many Democrats credited him with helping to shape the national debate in their favor.

"When Jack came out [against the war] he tipped the balance," Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington, a Murtha supporter, said on ABC News Now's "Politics Live."