Roundtable Setup Left Some Republicans Feeling Like Squares
In case you were wondering how the Republicans were adjusting to their new minority status, consider this painful story.
Democratic Rep. Jim Oberstar of Minnesota, the new chairman of the House Transportation Committee, wanted to show members of his panel how bipartisanship and policymaking can work in tandem. So the chairman, along with ranking Republican John Mica (Fla.), organized a roundtable discussion for members last week. And to drive home the point, Oberstar invited back Bud Shuster (R-Pa.), the retired Republican chairman of the committee.
  Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) says his "mishandled attempt at humor" won't happen again. (Evan Vucci - AP) |
It seemed like a great idea until Mica arrived for the roundtable and discovered that he did not have one of the nice, cushy chairs at the head of the table that were occupied by Oberstar, Shuster and other speakers, including New York financier Felix Rohatyn.
According to sources, none of whom wanted to be anywhere near this story, Mica threw a fit and demanded to know from staff why he didn't have a special chair of his own next to Oberstar and the others.
But before staff could rectify the situation, and as startled members looked on, a furious Mica stormed out of the room and ordered the other Republican members to leave. Among the uncomfortable departees was Shuster's own son and successor, Rep. Bill Shuster.
A source close to Mica acknowledged last night that the congressman was "very upset" because he "wants to be sure members of the minority are treated with the respect."
But after hearing from Oberstar later, the source said, Mica knows the slight was unintentional, and there are no hard feelings.
Note to other Republicans: Bring your slights to us. We'll help you air them.
Meanwhile, on the Other Side of the Aisle . . .
After years of tension between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) , the two appear to be getting along much better these days, or so report the staff and allies of the Democratic leadership.
They say the tension and mistrust that long existed between the two native Marylanders is no longer evident.
She no longer seems to be keeping him in the dark on insider maneuvering, and he no longer feels as if he's being kept out of the loop.
