Inside the Dingell/Waxman contest

Posted: Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:09 PM by Carrie Dann
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell
Sources inside the Democratic House Caucus say the vote against outgoing Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. John Dingell turned partly along generational lines - with young turks lining up against the old - and partly because of Dingell's record on environmental issues.

On a human level, many of the Democrat's colleagues are sad to see Dingell's defeat come shortly before the Michigan representative celebrates the 53rd anniverary of his arrival on the Hill. In February, he will become the longest-serving House member ever in U.S. history.

There was a last minute attempt to forge a compromise, which would have had Dingell announce that it would be his last term as Chairman. But neither Dingell or challenger Henry Waxman would go for half measures.

Waxman's victory in the contest for the Committee's gavel could set up a leadership fight for the California lawmaker's subcommittee chairmanship - with some more aggressive members wanting to challenge the next ranking member - Rep. Edolphus Towns of Brooklyn.

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Comments

Personally, I'd like to see Hillary stay in the Senate and win a gavel fight against Reid. She would be excellent there. She is scrappy and feisty and incredibly smart. (campaign performance, notwithstanding).

I also think Pelosi should turn her gavel in, as well. That would be some serious change. I think they are both fine Dems; but they don't represent the toughness and pragmatics I think are needed right now. They both come off seeming like wimps on almost every topic. You can find common ground without seeming so insignificant. Nothing is worse than those crowded microphone scenes from the capital where every goofball is trying to get in the camera frame of some new insignificant piece of legislation or action (I'm thinking bailout - and Schumer in the Lieberman vote this week). That is the face of politics both Dems and Repubs can agree needs to change.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:25 PM)

Out with the older and in with the old...these guys all smell of stale piss and ben gay

Rick, NC (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:25 PM)

Waxman has been VERY EFFECTIVE in his hearings
He's smoked out the Bush regime on so many fronts

Dingell has just been too close to the auto industry\
Detroit's Big 3 may actually benefit from some 'tough love' from Congress

They have to make REAL CHANGES to get their loans
MAKE QUALITY PRODUCTS !
Not hte junk they're famous for
RE-INVEST PROFITS INTO NEW INNOVATION

... and yes, the UAW should 'gvie a little' on wages and benefits in return for a seat in the Boards of Directors, an ownership stake and a healthy auto industry

We'll ALL have to sacrafice

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:33 PM)

FACT: '...Hey, Jefferson needs to be shown the door! Just another paper hanger bending and twisting the law!!!!...'

I don't agree with your Republican views.....

But, you're RIGHT on this one
La. Rep Jefferson should be dumped
He's a CROOK !!

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:35 PM)

Full Moon (in spades) (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:57 PM)

"All you 5 and 10 cent liberals, you've got nothing in your heads. I got some that I'm in love with and I'll love until I'm dead. Go away from my door and my window too. Right now." - Dylan

And that's how I feel about it. Talk about some clueless masses of humanity wasting their lives in denial.

Penny Lane (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:03 PM)

Full Moon (in spades) "I cannot wait until the media turns on NBC"s little darling Barack. Give him 3 months to totally screw it up."

What planet are you living on? IT IS ALREADY SCREWED UP!!!!!!

But brighter days are ahead. Please join in with the rest of us and work hard to make this country great again. Obama is your President too!!

stephanie, ft. pierce, fl. (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:11 PM)

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Rep. John Dingell can celebrates the 53rd anniversary. He can also celebrate that his generational disconnect with young turks will be happy to obtain gavel setting up a leadership fight the lining up against the old - for resourceful, consideration, concern for this planets’ future.
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62 white female for Obama (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 10:01 AM)
After the election of Obama, I was feeling really good about the wisdom of the American people.

Of course, then reality hit when I read that Morning Joe is now rated 2nd in it's time slot and gaining viewership ... surely that's a mistake!!!
62 white female for Obama
I think every since Morning Joke got put on his seven second delay people only watch him for hilarity. The reality is both Morning Joke and spineless Mika; who seemingly did not inherit any of her father’s brain cells, should be on eternal delay. But, they’re not; and that's of course a huge mistake.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:17 PM)

Dingell should have been nicer to the Clinton's. They are running the show now. Bill will probably even get most of Obama's staff fired.

Elmer, Seattle (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:26 PM)

I cannot wait intil the media turns on NBC's little darling Barack. Give him 3 months to totally screw it up. He's already gotten all the experience the Clinton staff can give him because he has absolutely no experience of his own
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Are you kidding me? The media will carry this guy's water for years. They've been giving him a free pass so far, I doubt they're going to find their journalistic standards now.

Reality Bites (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:28 PM)

Let's all have a day where we agree with everything Full Moon says and we sing the praises of Failin and McShame and tearfully lament their loss.

He'll be so bored, perhaps he'll GO AWAY FOREVER

Kathy, Charlotte NOT THE PUMA (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:32 PM)

Full Moon In Spades, as long as there are 'journalists' like Chris Matthews who say it's 'his job as a journalist' to ensure Obama is successful, don't bet on that ever happening. The media has pretty much lost all credibility this year.

Shelly in Chicago (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 2:44 PM)

I cannot wait intil the media turns on NBC's little darling Barack. Give him 3 months to totally screw it up. He's already gotten all the experience the Clinton staff can give him because he has absolutely no experience of his own.
Full Moon (in spades) (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 1:57 PM)
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I just thought I would ask if you want ketchap on your words when you have to eat them in 3 months or would you prefer another condement? We want to be prepared to make eating your words easier for you.

eagle1776 (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:16 PM)

It was time for a change.

Now, in reference to the auto industry, why can't the U.S. Government allow the Auto Makers to go into Bankruptcy; thus getting rid of all the heavy expenses (employee packages/management and their packages)and then turn around and purchase the Auto Makers out of Bankruptcy. The Government then assigns an experience Manager to run the company with oversight and then after it reaches profitability; sell it and regain all the money it spent on it. During this time there will be no ridiculous employee/mamagement benefits and/or bonuses.

Roger, Converse, Texas (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:23 PM)

It will take young individuals to take the initiative too move our nation forward. I really do not want Capitol Hill looking like a nursing home anymore. Our nation needs representatives in Congress with high energy, lots of great ideas, and a fast paced agenda for economic success. They need to be walking fast, and thinking faster. Instead of always taking the "elevators for the elderly" they need to run up the stairs to reach successful goals. No grumpy old outdated ideas will do on Capitol Hill anymore! I do not want to hear about representatives leaving their dentures in their bathrooms. If the stomachs of our representatives are hanging over their waste lines, and they cannot see their shoes anymore. Then it is time for an intense Capitol Hill exercise program. Our representatives must be mentally, and physically fit to lead our nation at all times. Move it forward America!

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:27 PM)

The tide is turning indeed.

But there is still the vast ocean washing up on the beach.

The ocean is deep and the beach is still... a beach.

Sunyata (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:27 PM)

The tide is turning indeed.

But there is still the vast ocean washing up on the beach.

The ocean is deep and the beach is still... a beach.

Sunyata (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:28 PM)

Moon, consider execution of clear strategies as an underlying difference between the Clinton administration and that taking shape under Obama. Most of the Clinton related appointees bailed on the Clinton's early in the primaries. Point two is that once strategies are in place people in the Obama government will be expected to execute against a clear presidential agenda - something that was never part of the Clinton administration.

Richard, Delmar NY (Sent Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:54 PM)

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