Pelosi lays down the law with Rahm – Politico (12/16/08):

In talks with Emanuel and others, sources say, Pelosi has “set parameters” for what she wants from Barack Obama and his White House staff — no surprises, and no backdoor efforts to go around her and other Democratic leaders by cutting deals with moderate New Democrats or conservative Blue Dogs.

Specifically, Pelosi has told Emanuel that she wants to know when representatives of the incoming administration have any contact with her rank-and-file Democrats — and why, sources say.

Had it not been for the last two years, I’d be saluting Pelosi for her attempt to control Obama’s attempts to cater to the New Dems and Blue Dogs. But the last two years did happen, and Pelosi has a huge lead (FISA, war funding, etc.) built up in the “make everything palatable to the Democrats in Name Only crew” race. She’s not marking her territory to protect her liberal prerogatives, she’s doing it to protect her ego.