U.S. Democrats make clear they will guard turf

By Steve Holland - Analysis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in control of the U.S. Congress are sending clear signals to President-elect Barack Obama that they will guard their turf, presaging some battles ahead despite one-party rule in Washington.

First there was California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein's anger that she was not consulted before the news leaked that Obama had made a surprise choice to lead the CIA, Leon Panetta, a former White House chief of staff with little direct expertise in the field of intelligence.

As the incoming chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee which will hold confirmation hearings on the nomination, Feinstein would expect to be consulted about such a move and her public complaint led Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden to quickly call her to soothe her concerns.

Then Harry Reid, who leads the Democratic majority in the Senate, warned that they would not rubber-stamp the policies of fellow-Democrat Obama.

"I don't believe in the executive power trumping everything ... I believe in our Constitution, three separate but equal branches of government," the Nevada Democrat told The Hill newspaper.

"If Obama steps over the bounds, I will tell him. I do not work for Barack Obama. I work with him," he said.

All this is fairly standard turf protection on Capitol Hill but it comes at an auspicious time, as Obama prepares to push forward an aggressive agenda that includes an economic stimulus plan estimated to cost $775 billion (508 billion pounds) or so.

Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, disagreed with Obama's promise to make tax cuts a central feature of the stimulus.