Rahm Is Back On The The Hill

Incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is making one last lap on Capitol Hill before he settles into his new digs in the West Wing.

Emanuel, who hasn't officially resigned his House seat, showed up Tuesday at the House Democrats' organizational meeting, where lawmakers will reaffirm leadership posts for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (Md.), and are still deciding other spots in the hierarchy.

The only contested post -- barring any unforeseen surprises -- is for the vice chairmanship of the Democratic Caucus. Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur is challenging Pelosi's pick, California Rep. Xavier Becerra. Becerra is expected to win easily.

But the real marquee match-up comes later this week when Michigan Rep. John D. Dingell squares off against California Rep. Henry A. Waxman for the chairmanship of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee.

Many Democrats are frustrated that they are capping a successful election with a divisive race for the chairmanship. Heading into the meeting, Waxman didn't appear open to cutting any deal that to avoid an election.

"I don't see that happening," said Waxman, the chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, as he entered the Cannon Caucus Room for the leadership elections.

The Democrats' Steering Committee meets Wednesday to determine whether there will be an official election for the Energy and Commerce gavel. Waxman assured reporters he will have the 14 votes necessary to force an official secret-ballot election of the entire caucus.