As Jay notes below, Murtha was a close friend and mentor to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and her effort to install him as her second-in-command counts as a rare misstep in her leadership of her caucus. So why such a close and unlikely bond between the gruff Marine and the San Francisco liberal?
Pennsylvania Rep. John C. Murtha, died today of complications relating to a gallbladder surgery. He was 77. A decorated Vietnam War hero, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi credited Murtha — who was her first choice for majority leader — with helping to turn public opinion against the war in Iraq after he announced his opposition to [...]
