The importance of Welch's position on the Rules Committe can't be overstated. This is the place where a Speaker, through the Rules Committee, can effectively kill any bill they like, simply by sending it first to a committee with a chair who is hostile to the bill. A Speaker can also create a fast track for a bill by sending to a friendly committee. Depending on the Speaker, this committee can be the most important tool of weilding their power. This committe also has the power to set the limits on debate of a bill when it reaches the floor, so Welch has found himself in the inner circle of power quite early. Speaker Pelosi obviously views Welch as a team player, someone willing to go along with her agenda. Don't expect Peter to rock the boat if he wants to move ahead.
 

But I thought Welch was going to be an independent-minded Vermonter down in DC ... it took him a few weeks to cozy up to the institutions of entrenched power.
 

You've got it wrong Barre.

Welch always said that he'd work hard for the Democratic agenda in Washington.

It was General Martha and Richie Rich who tried to sell us the "independent" stuff.


Face it -- Welch is in a good position to serve Vermont.
 

Finally, some honesty. Welch will vote the Democratic line as he predictably aligns himself with the Democratic powers-that-be. I do not begrudge him that choice -- he is a Democrat and that makes sense depending on your priorities. But please don't try to characterize him as some "power to the people" independent thinker. He is cozying up to the power structure. Thus, you folks don't truly disapprove of power in DC, just power when the other side has it.
 

If you genuinely believe that Democrat powers-that-be operate on a higher moral plane than Republicans, I'll spare you the list of current and former Democratic scandals of note.

Admit it -- you wanted Democrats to prevail because you agree with their policy choices, not because of some genuine commitment to governmental ethics. For you, Democrat = good, Republican = bad. Simple as that. The rest was window dressing designed to achieve that end (which was achieved successfully).

And, yes, it is clear that, in your eyes, the only "true" independent is a left-leaning independent. More consistency from the Dems' cheering section.

The fact that the Democrats won isn't particularly vexing -- the Republicans did much to deserve losing. It's the holier-than-thou caterwauling so many liberal types engage in. Give us all a break.