Hoyer has won contested leadership races before

A little perspective on House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and his outcome in contested leadership races.

In 2000, Hoyer and Pelosi faced off against each other for Minority Whip after former-Rep. David Bonior (D-MI) retired. Hoyer had been in leadership...as Democratic Caucus Chairman, way back in the late-1980s. Pelosi had never formally been in leadership.

Pelosi beat Hoyer in 2000. But then Former Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (D-MO) stepped down from his post at the end of 2002 to run for president. Pelosi won the Minority Leadership gig. And Hoyer advanced into the whip slot vacated by Pelosi.

Then Democrats won the majority in 2006. Hoyer ran for Majority Leader. But Pelosi backed her longtime friend and confidante, the late-Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA).

Hoyer defeated Murtha handily in a true Congressional "Clash of the Titans."

We would anticipate a clash of similar epic proportions if Hoyer were to face Clyburn this fall in a leadership contest.