California politician lobbies to make history in Congress

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California is on the verge of becoming the highest-ranking woman in congressional history when Democrats pick a new No. 2 leader next week.

After a two-year campaign, she's the favorite to win election Wednesday as Democratic whip, the party's top vote-counter and arm-twister in the House. Her opponent, Rep. Steny Hoyer, is a more moderate Maryland lawmaker who lost a whip's race 10 years ago.

Their contest is mainly an insider's game: its voters the 210 representatives and five delegates who make up the Democratic caucus. But the winner stands a strong chance of one day becoming Democratic leader, and possibly House speaker if Democrats regain a majority next year.

A reminder of the potential importance of the election can be found in the 1989 race for Republican whip. Six years after little-known Newt Gingrich was elected, he became House speaker.

Pelosi, 61, and Hoyer, 62, -- skillful lawmakers whose politics and campaign promises are more alike than not -- began campaigning before the 2000 elections, hoping Democrats would regain control of the House. Had that happened, House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri almost certainly would have become speaker and Rep. David Bonior, D-Mich., the Democratic whip, would have become majority leader.

Bonior is stepping down as whip on Jan. 15 to concentrate on his campaign for Michigan governor.

Both campaigns paused after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but the intense, mainly amicable contest has resumed with a focus on the handful of Democrats both camps consider undecided.

Rep. Tim Roemer, D-Ind., was among those lobbied heavily.

"I'd go to the floor to vote and five people from one side would get me," he said. "Then five people on the other side would feel the need to whipsaw me."

Last Thursday, after enduring countless phone calls from colleagues, former colleagues, state officials and others, Roemer announced he was supporting Pelosi.

"I'm glad to have it over with," he said.

Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, on Thursday became Hoyer's latest supporter, calling him a "consensus-builder."

Pelosi claims 121 votes. Hoyer says he has 103. Together they claim the support of nine more colleagues than there actually are.

Both find support across the ideological spectrum, making the race more about image and organization. The more moderate Hoyer is endorsed by Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., and other liberals. The more liberal Pelosi is backed by several more conservative Democrats, including Rep. Gary Condit, D-Calif., and Rep. David Phelps, D-Ill., an opponent of abortion rights and gun control.

Pelosi's major advantage entering the campaign was the support of 30 of California's 32 Democrats. Hoyer has the votes of all four Maryland Democrats.

An indication of the closeness of the race: Both sides have asked party leaders whether Rep. James Traficant, D-Ohio, may vote. He may.

Traficant became a pariah among Democrats and was denied committee assignments after he voted for Republican Rep. Dennis Hastert of Illinois for speaker instead of Gephardt.

Supporters describe both candidates as well-qualified for the job.

Hoyer was elected to the Maryland Senate in 1966 at age 27. By 1975, he was Senate president.

After a losing campaign for lieutenant governor, Hoyer was elected to Congress in 1981. He is the senior Democrat on the House Administration Committee, has been chairman of the Democratic caucus and played a key role recruiting Democratic candidates.

His backers note that he has the support of the leaders of the black, Hispanic, conservative Blue Dog and moderate New Democrat caucuses. He calls himself "a member's member" who will focus on making Democrats competitive in the swing districts they need to regain control of the House.

Pelosi was born into politics in Maryland, the daughter of Thomas D'Alesandro Jr., who spent 20 years in the House before being elected mayor of Baltimore. Her brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III, also was mayor of Baltimore.

Elected to the House in 1987, she represents a very liberal San Francisco district. Pelosi, the senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, raised $4 million for Democrats in the last election season, far and away the leader among House Democrats.

Pelosi is aware she could make history if elected, but says her gender is a just "giant bonus. I'm asking for votes because I'm the best person for the job."