Who’d a’ thunk it?
To be honest, when I think about progressive members of the U.S. House of Representatives; Speaker Pelosi is not the first name that comes to mind... nor is it the second... or the third...
But, perhaps, I'm wrong. Perhaps, I’m being presumptuous to exclude the third in line to the White House from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Apparently, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue isn’t the only Washington D.C. address set to undergo significant changes in January. Since her good bud Rahm Emanuel is being kicked upstairs to be a mere heartbeat away from the POTUS, the House Leadership on the Hill seems determined to fill the gap Emanuel left with a few ideological changes of its own.
And, change is a good thing.
The man known as Rahmbo is said to be soon replaced by current Democratic Vice Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.), who, incidentally, is considered far more liberal than Emanuel. Larson is also well-liked and respected within the caucus, which means a smooth transition. Larson’s replacement as Democratic Vice Chairman is expected to be Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA.). The California congressman -- presently assistant to Madam Speaker -- is a former Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairman who is demonstrably more progressive than even Larson.
Becerra has a mavericky streak too. He was the only Democrat in the leadership to vote against the $700 Billion Wall Street Bailout, and did so not once but twice.
At the time, Becerra said the corporate-friendly bill...
"... fell short of embodying the elements of an economic recovery package that we need for taxpayers, workers, small businesses and homeowners."
Another Pelosi ally and left-of-center congressman, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD.) appears to be set to remain in his post, and could assume some of Becerra’s present duties.
With these changes in leadership and a bolder, more progressive agenda, Blue Dog Democrats just might find themselves less relevant in the 111th Congress than they did in the 110th -- at the same Speaker Pelosi finds herself with more power.
This from OpEdNews.com:
This shift is an interesting action by a Speaker who had come under serious criticism from the Progressive wing of the party. Progressives were upset by Pelosi's refusal to attempt to impeach Bush and Cheney, her refusal to use the power of the purse to try to stop the Iraq war and by other actions that made it seem that Speaker Pelosi was trying to act in an excessively bipartisan manner.
While the team member changes will be embraced by Progressives and other Liberals, it is sure to draw fire from those on the ideological right. Conservative talking heads are eager to try to paint the incoming Democratic Controlled Congress and Executive as 'too Liberal'. Rush Limbaugh is already trying to say that the recession is Obama's fault because of business and finance's fear of Obama's ideas. While other conservative pundits and talking heads aren't so obviously jumping the gun, they are preparing this line of attack for use as early as will be reasonably credible.
But the Minority will be forced to the proverbial backbench if Pelosi can pass legislation that goes far in alleviating the present economic downturn.
The Hill.com weighs in:
With her newer and bigger majority, Pelosi is far less likely to suffer the losses she endured at the hands of a feisty House Republican minority, which kept vulnerable Democrats on edge about issues ranging from guns to gas prices to drilling.
Pelosi is regarded as a strong Speaker. She plays a role in every major decision in the House. But while she has made it clear to her committee chairmen that she is in charge of the lower chamber, Pelosi lost high-profile battles with President Bush on the Iraq war and the budget.
Bottom line here: Speaker Pelosi won’t have excuses anymore. With an expanded majority in both houses of Congress and a pragmatic [core progressive] Democratic in the White House, Speaker Pelosi had better take advantage of both by pushing a bold progressive agenda in the first year of the 111th Congress.
Don’t waste any more of our time, Madam Speaker.
Peace