I wrote earlier this week about Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) securing the chairmanship of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee — the group that runs the next congressional elections.
Steve is formerly a "Blue Dog" — a member of the center-right caucus (he stepped down to make way for a freshman — apparently Blue Dogs have quotas.) Nancy Pelosi’s naming him to the spot is a nod to the perception that Dems lost the House because they were perceived as tacking to the left.
Steve’s selection, according to Talking Points Memo, apparently helps sideline another up and coming Jewish Dem: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), who had been slated for the DCCC spot:
When the Republicans take over next year, the ratios on House committees will practically flip. For a lot of Democrats — particularly senior members — this won’t matter much. There’s frequently some correspondence between the number of spots the losing party loses on a committee, and the number of members of that committee who are defeated or retire.
In Wasserman Schultz’s case, though, her seat on the appropriations committee will likely be swallowed by the incoming GOP majority.
Losing a seat on Appropriations means you get less of a say in how to disburse government money — and become less attractive to private money.
TPM predicts DWS will rally:
With a broad donor base of donors, and as vice-chair of the DNC, Wasserman Schultz will still be able to raise a significant amount of money for Democrats. And if she’s willing to stay, and if Israel’s willing to keep her, she can remain a part of the DCCC leadership (she currently serves as vice chair for incumbent retention).
"Debbie is still hopefully going to stay in the DCCC leadership," said a party official close to Israel. "She’s a huge force."
According to Hill aides and a Democratic member, Pelosi is looking into carving out a role for Wasserman Schultz — to put her and other effective surrogates into higher-profile roles ahead of the 2012 election.
Wasserman Schultz is hosting next week’s congressional Chanukah fest. I will report on any signs of incipient depression.
Meantime, read Dana Milbank in today’s Washington Post on why campaign laws might make organizations like the DCCC less relevant — and why that may be a good thing for congressional comity.
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