Levin's ascent evidence of the weakness of the traditional seniority system

The machinations surrounding Charlie Rangel's (D-NY) "leave of absence" as chair of Ways and Means say a lot about how committees have changed since the days of the "Textbook Congress." In the olden days, the gavel would have just passed to Pete Stark (D-CA), the second-in-seniority. However, committee members (and Democrats in general) have been alarmed at the prospect of Stark leading this important committee, considering him a loose canon. Hence, the elevation this morning of the much more predictable Sander Levin (D-MI).

Here's the Roll Call link and the Washington Post link.