SUBTLETY

Fri., Jan. 5th -- Heath Shuler (D, NC-11) said he didn't think escalation in Iraq was "the solution" but would consider it if "that's what our military leaders said."

Wed., Jan. 10th -- Heath Shuler spokesman Andrew Whalen said the freshman congressman hadn't decided yet how he would vote on the stem cell bill. Hours later, there was no change. "It's still being discussed," Whalen said as night fell. U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, chief deputy whip for the Democrats, said this week that the party would be more lenient on this issue than others in its 100-hour agenda. "Some of our members are struggling with it, not necessarily for political reasons, but from their conscience," said Butterfield, of Wilson. "We're not going to whip on this vote with a heavy hand." Whalen said that as far as he knew, Shuler had not received any pressure about the vote. "He's not voting with the Democrats," he said. "He's voting his conscience."

Thurs., Jan. 11th -- About 100 Moveon.org members staged a rally outside Heath Shuler's office on Biltmore Avenue in Asheville. "As a progressive, I'm always shopping for someone who is fully progressive, but one has to realize the reality of the situation and pick and choose your fights," said John Russell, a member of the local Moveon.org group.

Also on the 11th (scroll down) -- Shuler said he received no party pressure about his vote. "I think that's what's been so great about this leadership," Shuler said.

Fri., Jan. 12th -- Representative Heath Shuler announced today that he has been chosen to serve as a Deputy At-Large Whip in the 110th Congress by House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC). Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said of adding Shuler to his whip team, "When I visited Heath Shuler this fall in North Carolina I saw in him the leadership and dedication needed for an effective whip organization. But even more important is the perspective he brings to our Caucus and to my leadership team."