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The panel endorsed Waxman 25-22 in a closed-door session Wednesday. But the so-called “exclusive” committee chairmen were not allowed to vote, because their selection had not been ratified by the full caucus for the next Congress.
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That denied Dingell at least three votes — those of Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.), three “exclusive” chairmen who had publicly endorsed Dingell.
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Those three would have tied the Steering Committee vote. If Dingell, as the sitting Energy and Commerce chairman, had been allowed to vote, he would have won the endorsement of the influential committee.
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But either way, both names would have gone to the full caucus for a vote.

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“I doubt seriously it would have changed the outcome,” said a Dingell supporter.
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Stupak said that in the past, sitting chairmen had been allowed to vote.
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A former Steering Committee member who supported Dingell said not allowing “exclusive” chairmen to vote was unprecedented.

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“In the past, they've always voted,” the member said. The member said that incoming House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.) said that the rules had been followed, but that Dingell supporters weren't satisfied.
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A Democratic leadership aide said Larson explained that he'd consulted extensively with Organization, Study and Review Chairman Michael Capuano (D-Mass.), who determined that exclusive chairmen were not eligible to vote.

SG - I usually turn to another channel when Brewer's on. Can't abide her. Turns everything into a very large drama, interrupts guests as a matter of principle. Did you ever see her when she was reading the news on Imus? Didn't work for her. She didn't keep good boundaries from Imus' jokes. yecch.

Do I dare to dream that, even with gas prices plummeting (they always seem to rise and fall at crucial moments, don't they?)the focus will remain on alternatives?

BTW- are you kathy of KUSA? I'm dying to ask about your cats, if so.