Justus For All

TIME.com: The Dems Teach Pelosi a Lesson

Nancy Pelosi showed us something important about herself this week. If Tip O’Neill thought that all politics was local, Pelosi’s view is that it’s personal. But what may have more significance in the long run is what her caucus showed her — that, unlike the Republicans they are replacing, they will not march lockstep at every dictate from their leaders. And if there is any good news for the Democrats from the entire episode, that is it.Congressman Steny Hoyer, the man what had waited in line for the job, gave Pelosi’s candidate John Murtha a thumpin’, as the President might have put it. That there was even a fight at all, however, is because of Pelosi. Against all precedent and good sense, she stepped into the election with not only an endorsement of her longtime ally, but a shocking strongarm campaign to win the job for him. She all but told incoming freshmen: “That’s a nice little committee assignment you’re asking for. It would be a shame if anything happened to it.”

This is probably good for the country, bad for Republicans, and a mixed bag for the Democrats.  On the one hand, it will probably help their electoral chances in the future, on the other hand the disunity will probably make advancing some of their agenda more difficult.

Since good for the country is more important to me than any partisan squables, I am pleased.