Legislating or Politicking?

So anyone really believe that the recent "defections" within the Democratic party on the climate change bill have anything at all to do with a genuine desire to improve the legislation? Nah. Me either.

Trouble emerged before the Memorial Day recess when Peterson and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) objected to Waxman moving the bill only through his committee. The two chairmen insisted they have a chance to mark up the bill, or at least see that changes were made. (emphasis added)

Did they want to suggest worthwhile changes to the language? No. Just wanted to "have a chance to mark up the bill"--is that like a dog peeing on a lamp post to say he was there? I suggest that this language means that these congressmen want to make sure that their names are on an important piece of legislation, even if they had absolutely nothing to do with its writing. Alternately (though, this could certainly be a "both and" situation), let's read that language again. "Mark up the bill"--could that mean that they intend to have their chance to tack on some pork for their constituents? I'm going with a "yes" on that one.

My verdict: Politicking.