The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 2 of 2)

p> HER ROYAL WEAKNESS br> The weakening of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has become apparent in the wake of the exodus of nine members of the Democratic caucus who backed the House Republican Medicare prescription plan in June. That bill passed by a two-vote margin, and the Democratic support sealed the deal when Republicans failed to keep some of their own members in line. /p>

While those Republican turncoats are facing punishment to some degree or other, Pelosi is not moving against any of her nine recalcitrant underlings. "She can't afford to alienate anybody right now," says a House Democratic leadership staffer, who points out that under different leadership party defectors would have faced the loss of committee assignments or House leadership positions.

p>As it stands, the nine Democrats may lose financial backing for their reelection campaigns from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. But given the DCCC's lack of fundraising under Pelosi's crony Rep. Bob Matsui , who knows how much money the nine could have expected to receive anyway? As it is, a number of the nine needed to vote as they did in order to back up campaign promises to their constituents. So by stepping out of line they may have helped ensure their reelection anyway. br> /p>

topics:
Medicare