Seems some Democrats backbenchers are trying of Pelosi's methods... http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2009/02/hill_democrats_demand_com.html
>>> Committee power has ebbed and flowed over the years, but note the >>> mentioning of subcommittee chairmen in the Hill writeup. Subcommittees have >>> become increasingly important in the House as a way for members to develop >>> policy expertise as well niche power bases. These days, if you chair a >>> House subcommittee, your legislative domain is relatively small - but >>> within that domain you typically have a great deal of power. [Actually, a >>> great example of this power can be seen in Charlie Wilson's War.] Contrast >>> this situation to the Senate, where fewer senators (but a policy domain as >>> large as the House) means that senators must be generalists. By legislating without the committees, Pelosi is upsetting the apple cart - and their response is a great reminder that, in this country, it is not partisanship above all else. The parties serve as a centripetal force in our system, centralizing power as our Constitution disperses it. However, partisanship in the government has its limits. Democratic and Republicans members of Congress are interested in protecting their own personal power because, ultimately, they stand for reelection as individuals. These backbenchers (and note that ideologically, they seem to be to the right of Pelosi) want their power bases back, and apparently are willing to embarrass (just slightly!) their Speaker by making a public demand. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
