Democratic Rep. Norm Dicks (Wash.) has started a "quiet campaign" to take over as chair of the House Appropriations Committee when Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) retires in November, Politico reports. Obey announced last Wednesday that he would not seek re-election. Since then, Dicks and Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.) -- who ranks 21st in seniority on the committee -- have begun privately asking colleagues for their votes when it comes time to select Obey's replacement... 
More...
More...