Could Larson be the odd man out in leadership fight?

Mike Allen's brilliant Politico Playbook today doesn't paint too good a situation for U.S. Rep. John Larson, the East Hartford Democrat whose 1st District includes Bristol. Here is what Allen reported about the leadership battle within the Democratic caucus:
--PALACE INTRIGUE - A former House Democratic leadership staffer e-mails that Rep. Steny Hoyer, who's being challenged for the #2 spot in the House Democratic leadership now that Pelosi is staying, is “going to end up with the support he needs to be whip. Members feel like he needs to stay in leadership. That said, people want [Rep. James] Clyburn [who's challenging Hoyer] at the table, too. Bottom line is: When the music stops, there will be enough chairs for Pelosi, Hoyer and Clyburn to each have one. I think Clyburn becomes Caucus Chair. Pelosi really helps herself by resolving this without bloodshed and [Rep. John] Larson [now caucus chair] is low guy on totem pole and a 'Pelosi ally.' Why didn't she work it out [in advance, to head off a Hoyer-Clyburn clash]? Neither Hoyer or Clyburn are 'Pelosi allies.' In determining whether or not to run, she didn't talk to them or their supporters. When she's testing waters, she's talking to her base and conversations are all about her. She had to move quickly to announce her candidacy and that process didn't afford her time to figure this out before. Now that she's talking to 'persuadables' about her candidacy, she'll be hearing about the broad desire to keep the existing team together and it will enhance her candidacy to figure it out. …
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

Larson: A 'classic confrontation' looms in Washington

For U.S. Rep. John Larson, the apparent Republican takeover of the House is a tough blow.

He said he knows many of the losers well and “your heart just aches” for their defeat.

Larson said he is dismayed by the way "money and negativity" has taken hold of the political process, even in Connecticut.

As the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House, Larson has been a top lieutenant of Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California.

Larson said he expects “to be in the Democratic leadership as the caucus chair” again in the next Congress.

But, he said, “It’s not about the caucus. It’s about the country.”

Larson said the situation is "kind of ugly nationally."

Larson said he is worried the GOP will follow the road map it has promoted and will try to “balance the budget on the backs of the poor instead of the billionaires.” He fretted that efforts to privatize Social Security are likely as well.

Larson said that Republicans “haven’t sugarcoated” their plans. They’ve laid them out clearly.

“President Obama will be Horatio on the bridge,” Larson said. “This will be on the classic confrontation.”

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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com