Pelosi Backs Murtha

The probably incoming Speaker has chosen sides in the battle for House Majority Leader (from Political Wire):

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), "in line to become Speaker in January, is throwing her support to Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) in the race for Majority Leader, a move that will be an early test of her influence and will weigh heavily on Murtha's contest with Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) for the post," Roll Call reports.

"Pelosi, in a letter distributed Sunday to newly elected House Democrats, wrote that Murtha's outspoken opposition to the war in Iraq helped change the electoral campaign for the House this fall."

The Hill: "Her endorsement has the potential to turn the race,especially if she chooses to campaign on Murtha's behalf. Pelosi's decision to back Murtha is the most significant move she has made since Democrats scored a historic victory on Election Day."

This is good news for the GOP. Having Murtha's rants a regular part of the news cycle, in conjunction with all the radicals that will be the new committee chairmen, can only speed up the process of Overwrought Dem Fatigue Syndrome which is likely to work in the GOP's favor.
UPDATE: Pelosi is also trashing Rep. Jane Harman who was set to chair the Intelligence Committee (previous post here). This paves the way for her to appoint impeached former federal judge Alcee Hastings to that post.