New Pelosi team shifts to the left

[babylonsister]

New Pelosi team shifts to the left
By Jared Allen
Posted: 11/11/08 08:11 PM


Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has promised to govern from the middle next year, but her new House leadership team is shaping up to be more liberal than her old one.

The departure of Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), coupled with left-leaning additions to the leadership lineup, is causing angst among Democratic centrists and conservatives.

House Democrats managed to add at least 20 new members to their caucus, many of whom hail from traditionally Republican areas of the country.

But despite the additional centrist Democrats, the caucus may move to the left because many committee chairmen and members of leadership are liberal.

It is unclear if this was an orchestrated move by Pelosi to consolidate power among a trusted group of advisers or simply a function of a significant number of Democrats not wanting to begin the Obama era with intra-party squabbles.

But members of the caucus have already taken notice. And in the absence of a last-minute shake-up of the leadership races — which are growing less contentious by the day — a slate of largely liberal members is set to move up the leadership ladder.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/new-pelosi-team-shifts-to-the-left-2008-11-11.html

[ck4829]

1. Good.

Congress has gotten more popular when it goes to the left.

[Virginia Dare]

2. It makes sense that this would happen..

since we know the White House is decidedly shifting to the left. Let Obama govern from the middle, and the House govern from the left, then they can meet somewhere in the middle of that :)

[babylonsister]

3. I like your thinking! nt

[loyalkydem]

4. I'll believe it

when I see it

[KharmaTrain]

5. Part Of The New Dynamic

For the past two years, we had a legislative that was wearing a straight jacket. They passed through a lot of legislation that was DOA in the Senate or was shot down by a booooshie veto. I expect that Pelosi will push a lot of this legislation again and this time it should get a vote in the Senate.

My hopes are Rahm's position is replaced by another Illinoian...Jan Schakowsky...a great progressive who has worked earned this shot. What saddens me is how I wish Stephanie Tubb-Jones had seen this day and was a part of the new leadership.

The one weak link is Steny Hoyer...he's gotta either get with the program or be challenged.

Cheers...

[babylonsister]

6. I have high hopes, too, KT, and I share

your sadness about Ms. Tubbs Jones. Watched 'Body of War' last night, and her anti-war voice was singing. I also wish she had lived to be a part of this new chapter.

[KharmaTrain]

7. I Watched Boogie Man...

Highly recommended!!!!

Earlier I was thinking about 4 years ago. It was bout this time that I changed to this name...hoping to use karmic powers to roll over the right wing bullshit. What a four years it's been!!

The fun will be watching the lame-ass repugnicans in the House...I'm sure Boner has a bunch of stunts already to pull. Those goons haven't learned a thing...but at least they'll be amusement and nothing more.

Cheers...

:toast: