A Democrat and a Good Idea......................

Junior Senate Dems want chairmen to face election by secret ballot

Senate Democrats elected in 2006 and 2008 are challenging the internal caucus procedures that have allowed veteran lawmakers to lock up committee chairmanships for years on end.

A group of junior Democratic senators are pushing for committee chairmen to stand for election at the beginning of each Congress, a requirement that has not been in effect for years, according to lawmakers familiar with the discussions.

They want to have more of a say in the leadership of powerful committees, such as the Senate Finance, Appropriations, Commerce and Banking committees.

The proposed rules change has made some chairmen nervous, Democratic aides say.

         Power is what most of these old reps live for.  Again, another reason for term limits that most people in the country seem not to want.  Please, I am from Massachusetts where we, and the country need term limits.