No ways, no means for Herger

Not even a revamped Web site helped your man in Washington, Rep. Wally Herger.

After Herger won re-election in November, he set his sights on an even bigger prize: ranking Republican on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

Part of the strategy, it appears, was a special Ways and Means page on the Herger Web site in which he sets out his vision on important issues and solicits yours.

"These are serious issues facing our country and we need to address them comprehensively. Americans have shown us that with economic freedom, our nation can rise to meet any challenge," Herger writes on the Web page.

"President Ronald Reagan's optimism and faith in the American people resonates with me and I firmly believe that by following the principles I have outlined throughout this Web site, it will again be 'Morning in America.' These issues are the battleground for our fiscal future, and it's a fight we can and must win. I hope you will find this page informative and educational."

Perhaps you may. All the hot-button topics are there: taxes, entitlements, trade and healthcare.

So Herger seemed to be on the march. Standing in his way, however, was Rep. Dave Camp from Michigan.

House Republicans made their choice on Dec. 10. You guessed it; it wasn't Wally.

"I want to congratulate my friend, Dave Camp, on being chosen as the next ranking Member of the Committee on Ways and Means," Rep. Jim McCrery, R-La., said in a statement welcoming his successor. "Congress will face difficult challenges in the next two years, and Dave's experience, ideas, and leadership will provide a steady hand during this time. He has been a vital member of the Committee for years and his dedication to fighting on behalf of American taxpayers is something to be admired."

Camp was elected to Congress in 1990, four years after Herger.

The Detroit News trumpeted Camp's triumph, noting that Ways and Means "is one of the most powerful committees in Congress because it oversees the nation's tax policy and has huge input on such other high-stakes issues as Social Security and Medicare, welfare and healthcare."

More importantly, the newspaper said, Camp's ascension gives "a boost to Michigan's clout in the new Congress."

Why did Camp prevail over the more senior Herger?

"He had either chaired or was ranking Republican on Ways and Means' subcommittees on taxes and health," the News reported. "And, in the 2008 elections, Camp donated $1.4 million to GOP candidates and the National Republican Congressional Committee — which helps elect Republicans to the House — and raised another $1 million on behalf of the NRCC and GOP candidates."

So Wally came up a little short among his fellow Republicans, even though he's been there for two decades. Doesn't that count for anything?

But he's still on the Ways and Means Committee, and he'll continue to represent you — whether you like it or not.