Pelosi backs Murtha for majority leader

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Prospective U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has thrown her support behind Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., in the election for House majority speaker.

In supporting Murtha, a former Marine and a critic of the Iraq war, Pelosi passed over her deputy, Rep. Steney Hoyer, D-Md., who earlier had seemed assured of winning.

The Washington Post said Pelosi's action shows the value she puts on personal loyalty and could be a significant problem for Hoyer.

However, many Democrats, who won a House majority in last week's midterm election, believe the party should stick with Pelosi and Hoyer as the leaders who helped win that victory, the Post said.

House Democrats meet Thursday to select a majority leader.