The latest press reports are indicating that Speaker Pelosi has backed down from a proposal to eliminate all earmarks in the omnibus spending package that she plans to move to the floor by the end of the week. 

Democratic leaders believe that earmarks are the last form of spending that should be cut. I believe that earmarks are currently the first form of spending that we should cut in the omnibus spending package.

The point here is that the earmark culture still commands power in Washington.  Speaker Pelosi is clearly signaling that she is willing to cut whatever is necessary in order to maintain earmarks.