House GOP scrambles for leader

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House Republicans in search of someone to lead them out of the minority wilderness are growing increasingly frustrated with their choices in the leadership elections as Senate Democrats yesterday swiftly approved a slate of top leaders.

Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada was picked to be majority leader and much of the rest the Democratic leadership also remained in place -- a clear sign of gratitude for orchestrating last week's six-seat pickup that just last year Mr. Reid predicted would require a "miracle."

"Two years ago, we had an opportunity for new leadership on the Democratic side of the Senate, and we chose as our leader Harry Reid," said Sen. Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat, elected yesterday to be majority whip. "We could not have made a better choice to unify this caucus, to make certain that we came to the floor every day with a purpose, and most importantly, that we took a message to the American people, a message of hope."

Today, Senate Republicans are expected to approve Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to be the minority leader. Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi, a former Senate Republican leader, and Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, are locked in a tight but very quiet race for the No. 2 slot.

In the House, things aren't as quiet, as the Democratic race for majority leader grows bitter and the Republicans remain divided over who should lead their party.

Rep. John P. Murtha, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has become the face of his party's anti-war stance and is running for majority leader, harshly criticized Rep. Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the current No. 2 Democrat. Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California will almost assuredly become House speaker in January.

"The Pelosi-Murtha position on the war is the reason the Democrats are in the majority today," Mr. Murtha said. "Congressman Hoyer's position has been to stay the course with President Bush from the very beginning."

Mr. Hoyer's office noted that he and Mr. Murtha both signed three letters urging Mr. Bush to withdraw troops from Iraq. Mr. Hoyer yesterday declined to respond to questions about whether Mr. Murtha's past ethical and legal troubles might undermine the party's declared aim of cleaning up what Democrats called "the culture of corruption" in Congress.

"I am not looking back," Mr. Hoyer said. "My role is to look forward."

Among House Republicans, members remain divided over their top post, and one of the most frequently floated names for the No. 2 position isn't even running.