Murtha's Plans

The story is everywhere and is generating various "takes" on it, so here's mine, but first "the story".

Democrats are months away from elections to decide control of the House, but the prospect of grabbing the majority in November is bringing out ambition and division in the party ranks.

Representative John P. Murtha, a Pennsylvanian who has become a leading Democratic voice against the Iraq war, surprised many colleagues Friday by circulating a letter announcing that he would be a candidate for majority leader should his party gain 15 or more seats to topple Republicans from power.

"If we prevail, as I hope and know we will, and return to the majority this next Congress, I have decided to run for the open seat of the majority leader," Mr. Murtha wrote.

I applaude Murtha. Instead of waiting to see what happens in November and then blind siding everyone, he's up front about his ambitions. That, my friends, is character.