Inspired by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House progressives fervently believe they now have a mandate for radical economic and social change in America. They demonstrated just how fervently last week when they trashed their own seniority system and replaced longtime House Energy and Commerce chairman John Dingell, D-Mich. with Henry Waxman, the Democratic congressman who represents Hollywood.

The shake-up was a very pointed jab at moderate Blue Dog Democrats who represent districts that are considerably less liberal than Beverly Hills and who supported Dingell. Now the progressives may learn that poking dogs is not a good idea because sometimes they bite back.