Now that Steny Hoyer has won the Majority Leadership over Jack Murtha, imo mainly based on false charges of ethical lapses against Murtha, I think it is now incumbent upon Hoyer to give up his K Street ways and lead the charge on lobbying reform,

The Nation describes Hoyer's victory as based on other things:

Hoyer's seniority, experience and deep connections helped win support from a broad array of groups within the caucus. He courted incoming freshman Democrats by emphasizing the $4.4 million he gave or raised for House members and won a majority of endorsements from them. Before the conservative Blue Dog Democrats and moderate New Democrat Coalition he touted his centrist reputation and work to make the party more inclusive. Appealing to members of the Progressive Caucus, he detailed in great depth, his "commitment to core Democratic principles," such as raising the minimum wage and protecting reproductive rights and the environment. Hoyer boasted of a perfect score from NARAL and an "F" from the NRA, the exact opposite of the socially conservative Murtha. Opposition to the war could only carry Murtha so far.

I am not convinced of this at all. If this were so, the smear campaign against Murtha would not have been necessary. Hoyer won as the ethics candidate, ironically. But that means he has a big responsibility now. To lead the charge on ethics. One thing he will NOT be leading the charge on is Iraq. That will still be Jack Murtha.

And an interesting and, imo, unfortunate consequence of this result is that I think Jane Harman's chances of chairing the Intelligence Committee, and I support her for that slot, are greatly diminished. Alcee Hastings will likely be passed over too in favor of Rep. Reyes, the emerging compromise candidate. I think that is a shame and that Steny Hoyer was not worth it. But that is the reality imo.