Congressional insiders point out that Barack Obama, in a little-noticed move a few days ago, appointed as the top White House liason to Congress one Philip Schiliro, who has spent many of his past 25 years on the Hill working for (you guessed it) Waxman.
In the wake of Waxman's victory, this is significant. It means Waxman will be closer to the center of the action and will have a direct line into the White House. Congressional insiders also point out that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is an ally of Waxman -- and hence, of Obama's liason to Congress.
How significant is all of this? It puts progressives firmly in control of the House leadership, and right at the center of Obama's top priorities. Harold Meyerson:
Fundamentally, there are two reasons Waxman would be the better chairman of Energy and Commerce. First, he is probably the House's most accomplished legislator in three issue areas that are high on the agendas of the nation and President-elect Barack Obama: universal health care, global warming and enhanced consumer protections (no small matter with a steadily rising percentage of our food and medication ingredients coming from China). On environmental questions, Waxman offers a sharp contrast to Dingell, who has long been the primary opponent of stricter standards for auto emissions and fuel efficiency.
Meyerson then provides a long list of Waxman's legislative accomplishments in the pre-1994 U.S. House, and they are indeed impressive. He is not just progressive, he is also highly effective.
The House is alright. We done good in that branch of Congress. It looks very likely that progressives will have a major voice at the table for all of Obama's legislative priorities.
Now, if we can just get good picks for Defense, State and Treasury, we will be doing alright when it comes to Obama's administrative priorities.
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