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Nobody Cares About Lowly House Dems

Power is with Obama, Senate Democrats, and House Republicans: Dana Milbank

By Mark Russell, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 26, 2011 12:21 PM CDT

(Newser) – With Congress split between the two parties, power in Washington is about President Obama, Senate Democrats, and House Republicans (and, thanks to the filibuster, Senate Republicans). But House Democrats? Not so much, writes Dana Milbank in the Washington Post. "[T]here is no dignity in being a House Democrat these days," he writes. While the power brokers hammer out deals, "House Democrats often find out what’s going on by watching cable news."

For lower-ranked representatives, the contrast between parties is even starker, as 25 reporters showed up to a Republican press conference but just seven for one by House Democrats. From 2009 to 2010, Steny Hoyer, then the No. 2 House Democrat, was one of the biggest names in town. Today, he doesn't even know how the 12-person budget supercommittee negotiations are going. “I don’t know the specifics," he said in response to a press question. "I thought, frankly, you knew." (On the other hand, maybe House Democrats are out of the spotlight because they are avoiding the president).

US House Minority Whip Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland waits prior to speaking during a rally in front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, March 2, 2011. (Getty Images)

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Nobody Cares About Lowly House Dems

Power is with Obama, Senate Democrats, and House Republicans: Dana Milbank

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