The D.C. Power Grab That Really Matters

No one outside of Washington Beltway types seems to be paying attention to a fight in a small corner of Congress. That's unfortunate, because whoever wins will set the tone not only of the 111th Congress but will determine in large part how the Obama administration will fare in its critical first two years.

The clash is for boss of one of the most powerful positions in the new Congress, the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The challenger is Rep. Henry Waxman, an outspoken California Democrat; the lion who is (barely) holding onto his scepter is Rep. John Dingell, a temperamental Democrat from Michigan.

Here is why this fight matters: The chairmanship determines which legislation reaches the House floor, or at least two-thirds of it. That is a lot of power and persuasion to leap from between two old-school yet decidedly different congressmen.

"This is a battle for the premiere authorizing committee in Congress," says Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), a longtime committee member. "We are responsible the widest range of jurisdiction that there is - think energy, health care and telecom policy, it is the committee."

Doyle is working hard as part of Dingell's "whip team," vote-gathering for the chairman, making non-stop calls, sometimes checking with members once, twice or even three times.

He also is blunt when asked why this coup is happening: "This is all about Henry's personal ambition, which is why I do not think he will be successful. Members will see through that and remember that Dingell has been an exemplary chairman."

He is positive that neither Speaker Nancy Pelosi nor President-elect Barack Obama is behind the uprising. "There are plenty of back-channels that would have easily indicated that. Nancy was as surprised as I was," he says, adding that he is confident the president-elect has much more pressing things on his mind.

"Blue dog" Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) is a member of Waxman's "whip team" and has placed more than a few calls for the California Democrat. "I have made about 60 calls," he says. "I am feeling pretty good about a win for Henry."

Cooper says his persuasive line is simple: "Henry is going to be the chairman of the committee, it is just a matter of time, so why not be on the side of the winner from the beginning?"

He dismisses concerns that Waxman is more liberal than Dingell, which would present problems for newer members who won their races in Republican or swing districts. "That is hardly the case. I have threatened Waxman several times over that, I am going to make him an honorary 'Blue Dog.' " ("Blue Dog" Democrats are on the socially- and fiscally-conservative side of their party.)

Former DNC executive Mark Siegel disagrees with Doyle's assertion that this is all about Waxman's personal ambitions. "This isn't about ambition, and it's not really about ideology or health care," he says. "It's about one thing and one thing only -- national energy policy."

Many members view Dingell as an obstructionist for the auto industry on automotive emissions and mileage. A Dearborn, Mich., man, Dingell defended the auto industry even when it dragged its heels on innovations and continued to produce cars that fewer customers want to buy.

Both Obama and Speaker Pelosi have indicated they want to move forward with an ambitious energy agenda, including a goal to make the country energy self-sufficient in 10 years. That will require a Detroit that reconstitutes itself with the world's finest, most fuel-efficient cars

That puts Dingell and Waxman on opposite sides of the equation. No one from the Pelosi camp or from the Obama team may have asked Waxman to challenge Dingell, but the policy implications are pretty clear.

"Waxman is actually pretty tough to control," says University of Arkansas political scientist Rob Maranto, adding that it is possible that Waxman could easily have done this without higher-up approval.

"Waxman and Dingell are both smart, aggressive politicians but representing very different constituencies," Maranto explains, describing Waxman as the classic Hollywood Democrat who is well to the left of fellow California representative George Miller.

The immediate issue that could be affected is offshore drilling, on which Obama and most other Democrats have shown some flexibility in the face of high energy prices. Dingell is for it, Waxman against it. And if some kind of drilling amendment to an energy bill does not get through the committee in question, it could make a bipartisan energy policy impossible.

"That could also give Republicans an issue in the next congressional cycle, since most Americans do want to expand drilling," Maranto says.

Both sides have indicated that the chairmanship vote will happen Thursday via secret ballot.

Until then, both Cooper and Doyle will spend this lame-duck session hustling for votes, a time both thought they would spend celebrating their party's Nov. 4 victory.