Democrats changed House rules to prevent them from making a hard decision every party has had to make since the first party has lost control of House

Even liberal David Broder finds the rule change troublesome.

When the rules of the House of Representatives forced the Democrats to confront a painful choice among their leaders, they did what Democrats are often inclined to do. They changed the rules.

Usually, such a stunt would matter only to the members affected by the change. But this one sends a dangerous signal at a crucial moment, when both parties are being tested on their willingness to respond to the lessons of the last election. This is a disquieting development. . . .

Instead of having four people in the formal leadership of the House, the Democrats should have three -- a minority leader, a deputy or whip, and the chairman of the Democratic caucus.

It has always worked this way whenever an election shifts control on the House between the parties. Someone on the losing side loses his leadership job. . . .