As predicted, John Murtha is toast.

The House Democratic caucus today named Steny Hoyer, D-MD, house majority leader over the ethically challenged Pennsylvania Democrat in a 149-86 vote.  

This vote will be considered a repudiation of incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, because she now must work with Hoyer, who sometimes has strayed from the party line. Pelosi and Hoyer have known each other for more than 40 years, but have been on the outs since competing in a nasty race for minority whip five years ago. Hoyer won that race.  

This race may also deeply split the House Democratic caucus before it even takes power (between factions who supported  Pelosi and Murtha or Hoyer) and damaging the party's chances to build its agenda over the next two years, if members remain angry at the tactics that apparently were used in the campaign for majority leader.