Hoyer, Clyburn Jockey to Be Pelosi's Right Hand

The sound and fury of the midterm elections may be over, but the end of electoral voting brings about a round of behind-the-scenes jockeying for power. Reps. James Clyburn and Steny Hoyer are both plausible candidates for leading the Democratic minority in the house, but given that Nancy Pelosi will keep her post (well, with "majority" changed to "minority") they've begun low-key insider campaigns for the No. 2 slot, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Hoyer, the current House majority leader, has taken more action—his supporters have undertaken a letter-writing campaign suggesting that he is better suited to retaking the House from the Republicans than Clyburn, the current majority whip. Pelosi herself is rumored to support Hoyer, though she may take option of creating a new leadership post so as to include both politicians. If no compromise can be reached, House Democrats will have to hold a secret-ballot election to determine the winner.