National Journal reports that Rep. Jim Matheson was one of 19 Democrats Wednesday to vote for someone other than Rep. Nancy Pelosi for Speaker. Matheson supported North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler, a fellow Blue Dog.
Many of the defectors came from the ranks of the Blue Dogs and have been frequent critics of Pelosi, but a surprising handful of others ... have voted reliably with leadership, but broke for this pivotal vote. In fact, 10 of the 19 represent districts that President Obama carried in the 2008 election, but they all found themselves in tougher-than-expected reelection campaigns last year.

