Dear Democrats,

Please, seriously, please, let's not form a firing squad in the the shape of circle this time around...

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. John Murtha, the anti-war congressman who is the
likely new House speaker's pick for majority leader, fended off what he called
"swift boat-style attacks" on his ethics record Tuesday.
The Pennsylvania
Democrat also blasted his rival for majority leader, House Minority Whip Steny
Hoyer, for siding with President Bush on Iraq.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who as the
House Democratic leader is in line to be the next speaker, has backed Murtha
against Hoyer, who is currently the No. 2 Democrat in the House of
Representatives.
Democrats are slated to vote Thursday on who will take the
chamber's leadership posts when the Congress reconvenes in January.