I think it’s pretty common knowledge that he was a ginormous draft bust. (Not quite Ryan Leaf, but still)

It would seem that the newly-confident Reid and Pelosi (fresh off of electoral victories which largely were achieved DESPITE them) aren’t afraid to lord over their respective houses of Congress with an iron fist. If Shuler’s not well-liked, it’s probably because he’s a Blue Dog Democrat and doesn’t fit the ideological profile of a Nancy Pelosi Democrat.

There may also be some resentment that Shuler is publicly criticizing the leadership, rather than kissing their ring. He’s only in his 2nd term, after all.