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Murtha backs off challengeWar critic suspends leadership bid until after midterm elections
 Rep. John Murtha has been an outspoken opponent of the war in Iraq. YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democratic Rep. John Murtha said Tuesday he has dropped his surprise bid to become House majority leader until after midterm elections. "For the unity of the party and to focus on Democratic victory in November, I have suspended my campaign for majority leader until after the election," Murtha said in a statement released by his office. Murtha, from Pennsylvania, caused a stir last week when he announced his intention to run for House majority leader, five months before the midterm elections and with the Democrats still 15 seats short of a majority. If the Democrats win a majority in November, current House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, from California, would presumably step up to become speaker. Republicans chided Murtha for assuming a Democratic victory, and according to Democratic aides, not only were Murtha's colleagues caught off guard by his announcement, many were not happy. "This is a huge distraction," said a senior House Democratic aide, who told CNN that Democrats in the House were "really angry and confused that Jack Murtha would disrupt the focus of the caucus from taking back the House and distract that by starting a leadership race." A spokeswoman for Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Democratic leader, said her boss was "confident" the party would regain the House -- and that he had the support of most Democrats to become majority leader. Hoyer said in a statement Tuesday he welcomed Murtha's announcement. "Our caucus should continue to focus our energies on regaining the House majority and addressing the priorities of the American people," Hoyer said. In a statement issued by her office, Pelosi said she appreciates "Mr. Murtha's continuing cooperation and leadership in our effort to win a Democratic House to take America in a new direction for everyone." The House currently has 232 Republicans, 202 Democrats and one independent who caucuses with the Democrats. Democrats would have to make a net gain of at least 15 seats in November to take control. Given President Bush's low approval ratings and ethics controversies in the GOP-led Congress, Democrats have expressed increasing optimism that they can pull off a swing of that size, which they have not done since 1982. Murtha is a decorated former Marine colonel who has been critical of the Bush administration's handling of the war in Iraq. He supported the invasion in 2003 but last November distanced himself from the administration and called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops within six months, citing what he called "a flawed policy wrapped in illusion." Murtha and Hoyer have been at odds on the issue. Hoyer opposed Murtha's call, saying a "precipitous withdrawal" in Iraq "could lead to disaster." In October 2002, Murtha and Hoyer were among the 81 House Democrats who supported a resolution authorizing President Bush to take military action against Iraq. CNN's Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report. 
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