THEY NOTICED! – AT 10:26 A.M. ET:  During Barack Obama's administration the Democratic Party has lost 70 seats in the House of Representatives.  You think something might be wrong?  Well, at least some Dems think so, and they want action.  Whether the action they want will improve things for them is another question.  From The Politico:

A growing faction of House Democrats wants to bring back term limits for the crew of party leaders who sit atop the chamber’s most influential committees.

The effort follows a series of bruising fights among Democrats over seniority, a split that pits younger lawmakers who feel shut out from decision-making versus powerful voting blocs like the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The latter groups have long favored seniority as the surest way for their members to rise in the ranks, while term-limit supporters lament that Republicans are outflanking Democrats in promoting young leaders to carry their message.

California Rep. Anna Eshoo, a close ally of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, said a growing number of lawmakers want the caucus to have a serious discussion about term limits.

“I think there should a very thorough and thoughtful examination, not only of this but several rules of the caucus,” said Eshoo, who unsuccessfully challenged more-senior Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey last year for the top Democratic spot on the Energy and Commerce Committee. “I think it would be healthy for the members, all of the members, to really understand what the rules are [and] the history behind them.”

Former Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson, who was term-limited from that slot in 2013, agreed. He praised House Republicans’ six-year limit for people to serve atop committees, although Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has allowed some exceptions.

“A number of people would say Republicans have struck a better formula for advancement,” the Connecticut Democrat said. “And I don’t think it’s a bad thing for leadership at all. I mean, it’s verboten to say it, but it’s true and I think even our current leaders would recognize it, all of whom I support.”

COMMENT:  It's true.  The Republican Party looks young and vibrant, whereas the Democratic Party has become the party of the past. 

But there's a trap here.  If the Dems go to term limits, many of those who'd benefit by moving up are members of the party's leftist fringe.  That will not win the Dems many points nationally. 

The Democratic Party never planned for the future.  Barack was to save it and build a Dem coalition that would last 50 years.  That didn't happen.  Now there is anger.

January 12, 2015