House Dems begin ensuring party unity

The Republicans have long had tighter party unity on votes than the Democrats, even since they have had more members than their opposition. It appears as though the Democrats might finally be getting their act together, however. The Hill's Hans Nichols reports in "Leaders crack whip on loyalty":

Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) was harshly upbraided Monday night by House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) and other members of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee for failing to be a “team player,” signaling that the Democratic leadership intention to impose a strict regimen of party discipline in the 109th Congress.

Party leaders dressed down Peterson as he sought to persuade the 50 members of the steering committee to make him the ranking member on the House Agriculture Committee. Hoyer and Miller directed much their ire on Peterson’s Medicare vote, when Peterson was one of 16 Democrats to side with Republicans in the tightest roll call in recent memory. It is a strong indication that Democratic leaders will insist upon party unity as Republicans plan to reform Social Security, the other massive entitlement program that has been a mainstay of the Democratic coalition.

It's about time the Democrats began thinking like a true opposition party that must have full party unity on major issues, especially Social Security. With the AARP finally on board in defending the entitlement program from being gutted by Bush (a move the GOP has salivated over for nearly 70 years), it looks like the Dems might be able to stop this horrible action. The President and his handlers may be extremely politically savvy, but they might not win just this once.