In a standard AP puff piece run today in the Fish Wrapper, Steny Hoyer, the new House majority leader selected over Nancy Pelosi-backed John Murtha, is painted as a "moderate Democrat":

Hoyer, 67, has over the past quarter-century in the House become known for his fundraising, his work for fellow Democrats and for moderate political positions that have enabled him to get along with Republicans and liberal Democrats alike.

However, as documented on Newsbusters, once you look at his record, the "moderate" label just doesn't seem really appropriate.

For instance, let's look at his ratings by political groups:

• American Conservative Union lifetime rating of 8% (0 in 2004 and 12 in 2005)
• From the liberal side, the Americans for Democratic Action gave him a 100 in 2004 and a 95 in 2005.
• A perfect 100 from NARAL Pro Choice America
• A 88-100-100 score for the last three sessions (Pelosi's was 100-100-100) from Human Rights Campaign, a large gay-left pressure group.

Somehow, getting almost perfect scores from liberal groups that support the typical extreme liberal goals of abortion on demand and same-sex marriage doesn't make him seem like a moderate, does it?