On Nov 10, 2006, at 1:42 PM, Michael Pollak wrote:
> [Here's a slightly more focused version of the argument that the
> election will make the Democratic party relatively more progressive
> rather than relatively more conservative. The argument in a
> nutshell is that much more significant than the fact that the new
> marginal districts are purple is that the leadership of the
> committees will be more progressive. And it is those leaders who
> control the legislative party and set the agenda -- as well as
> everything (patronage, positions, publicity) that those Rahm-
> selected newbies need. So no matter what bluedogs may think
> personally, they won't be leaders. They'll be footstools enabling
> progressives to reach the top shelf.]
>
> [Maybe yes, maybe no. But it's not an illogical argument.]
>
> 'Centrists' Move Over: This Was An Election for Progressives
We'll see. I think it might be a good idea to call a moratorium on speculating about what they might do, and just look at what they actually do.
Committee chairs do set agenda, but the back-benchers can vote with the Republicans.
Doug