Dems Tell Pelosi She Needs to Follow, Not Just Lead

The new House Speaker tried to assert her authority in backing John Murtha for Majority Leader. But Murtha's loss and Steny Hoyer's victory have taught her a hard 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.