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What's It Mean If Larson Loses Leadership Role?

AT LEAST ONE PERSON SAYS IT DOESN'T MEAN MUCH AT ALL

By Jeff Cohen

November 15, 2012

As congress readies itself for its next term, Congressman John Larson may be out of a formal leadership position with his party. WNPR's Jeff Cohen reports that Larson is the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives -- and it's a job he has to give up at the end of the year.

Larson holds the title of head of the Democratic caucus. But according to the Connecticut Mirror, that role is term limited. And, because the rest of the Democratic leadership will likely stay in place, it doesn't appear that Larson has any upward mobility.

We wanted to know whether that makes a difference one way or the other to the average Connecticut voter.

"I don't think it makes any difference."

That's Toby Moffett. He's a former Democratic congressman from Connecticut. He now runs the Moffett Group, a DC consulting firm.

"I don't see this at all as John Larson exiting leadership. I just don't. I don't see it. He's just so influential and so senior, it wasn't like he was deposed, you know? He'll be there."

Moffett says the caucus chair is the person who helps create consensus over issues when votes come up. Should Larson drop that as a formal role, Moffett says he may have more free time to give to local issues.

"You could argue this will give him more time to be more parochial if I could use that expression in a positive way."

In a letter to Democratic members Wednesday, Larson urged unity and said he looks forward to being of service in any way he can.