Dem House Fight: Waxman Beats Dingell In First Round

Rep Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) has won round one in his bid to unseat Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) as chairman of the powerhouse commerce committee.

Waxman won a critical preliminary vote on the Dem's steering committee vote 25-22. The vote goes to the full caucus, likely tomorrow.

A steering win doesn't always translate into a caucus victory -- but it's a big step for Waxman.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[larry278]

I hope someone show their appreciation for Rep Dingell's service as Chair by sending him a box of wax or chocolat dingle berries, instead of chocolate covered cherries. The wax ones would be appropriate since Rep Henry Waxman is replacing Dingell as chair.

[Brownstown]

A vote skewed by some of the Dingell supporters not eligible on a technicality and a committee where 9 people came from CA. Oh, and I read elsewhere that a third of the people on the committee are directly appointed by Pelosi, who is definitely behind the scenes on this.

Doubtless I will be called out as part of a conspiracy. I guess stating facts is conspiring if they are true. You go, nibbles.

The real vote is this morning by entire Dem caucus.

[Egalitare]

Yes, and as a resident of Ann Arbor, I've contacted all my relatives in Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Colorado, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania and urged them to ask their reps to support Waxman on this.

[nibblybits]

Hey, you tried your best. Make sure Dingell writes you a good check. Tell him the people of HP aren't easily fooled and that you really had to earn your lobbying dollars.

[newshawk14]

Hopefully Waxman will win, as I feel Dingell has been bad for the long term interests of the auto
industry. I think Waxman will be a much more effective voice in moving them into the 21st century.

[jeanrenoir]

More of the change we need. Dingell's been Detroit's chief ennabler in its rendevous with suicide.

[nibblybits]

If people haven't figured it out, gpmdem is one of about a dozen aliases (Brownstown, Downriver, Downriverman, Jane_II, kyletertzag and several others) created by one of Dingell's lobbyist employees. Feel free to check out the profiles of these aliases and you will see that he has been actively trolling in Dingell threads to spread his lobbyist messaging.

To be expected, of course, considering Dingell's tactics in the past. But only one day more before he's kicked out from his chair.

[blueskybigstar]

My interest is in their positions on impeachments. Politicians in jail is the change I can believe in. I am concerned for Obama and letting this administration to maintain power seems d a n ger ous to me. Furthermore, if we had prosecuted Nixon and all his buddies for everything they did and were planning to do, I have no doubt that this whole crisis and this false government and the rewriting of history would not have happened. If they are not brought to justice, they will lick their wounds and come back worse than their previous incarnation just like they have done before again and again. I believe that we will much better be able to handle a depression as long as the people who caused it are brought to justice. Actually, I'm worried about the w a r crimes as well. How can I face my friends in Europe with a government that does not punish its bad politicians, their families, or their friends. We cannot heal unless they are punished and made an example of. Is George still for capital punishment?

[tbone99]

If Gen Motors gets bailout money , you can be sure Dingell will get some of it to fight for his chairmanship with.

[gpmdem]

Poor Calicrat, Uhm News flash. The vote is tomorrow. The Auto Industry loan definitely won't be done by then.

[tbone99]

All they have to know if its a given , theyve got the cash

[Okieborn]

GREAT NEWS !!
Henry Waxman has proven that he is a man who goes into the fight to "WIN" !!!

[gpmdem]

HAHAHA PLEASE!! No one fights better than Chairman Dingell!

Dec. 13, 2005 Rep. Edward Markey:
"we celebrate a public life whose tenure in service is as long as its beneficial impact on America is wide and deep.

Mr. Speaker, I give you the top ten JOHN DINGELL hearing questions that mean you are in real trouble.

Number ten: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Number nine: Would the gentleman yield for a few questions, as I am trying to better understand where the witness is going, what the witness is saying?

Number eight: Does the very distinguished gentleman know how much affection and respect that I have for him?

Number seven: Perhaps if I direct a few questions to the distinguished majority counsel, we might be able to shed a little light on the gentleman's proposal.

Number six: Is the witness at all familiar with the Tucker Act?

Number five: I hear what you are saying, but what are you telling me?

Number four: That is an excellent answer but not to the question that I asked.

Number three: I am just a poor Polish lawyer. Perhaps you could help explain a few things to me?

Number two: Did you happen to know that my father wrote that law?

And the number one JOHN DINGELL hearing question that means that you are in real trouble: Did you know that I wrote that law?"

[tonygeo]

Why is it never referenced that John Dingell's wife is an heiress to General Motors and Texaco?

[tonygeo]

Why is it never mentioned that John Dingell's wife is an heiress to General Motors and Texaco?

[gpmdem]

Why is it never referenced that Waxman stopped a large Afriacan American community from access to his affluent district by stopping the extension of the Red Line for 20 yrs??? Real progressive move there Waxy.

[tbone99]

The way we will know when racism in this country is truly eradicated.? there will be no fear of falling housing prices.
It will also demonstrate equal education.

[tbone99]

I was SHOCKED when I read that Sunday in the NYT.How could this not be a conflict of interest?!

I think we need a full disclosure on Congressional spouses. What else don't we know.?

[nikonguy]

I wish Dingell would have retired by now. As a Michigander, I voted for him, but dammit, he's been ineffectual lately, and yes, he's not helped the auto industry in the long run. Next term, I hope a new Democratic face challenges him -- that is, if he's still got his marbles by then.

[gpmdem]

Easy there. If you were a Michigander you'd never reference that, but rather your Congressional district. P.S. The Congressman doesn't run State wide. But, I wouldn't expect a Calicrat to understand that. Nice try thought!!

By the way. Chairman Dingell is my Congressman, I wouldn't want any other. He has served and continues to serve his District, the State and the Country with Honor and Respect.

[SanityForOnce]

Dingells can be hard to remove. I've had to shave hair off my dog's behind to deal with that pesky problem. ;-)

[weatherwaxx]

This is not only change we need, but change I can CELEBRATE!

[gpmdem]

The Calicrats sure know how to divide a party before it takes control!!

[lynettema]

Waxman may not be pretty, but he makes up for it in smarts and stand on the issues.

[gpmdem]

Chairman Dingell has been fighting for America his whole career! We don't need no attention seeking Hollywood Calicrat that only cares for the spotlight and shrivels when tough decisions need to be made.

Dingell voted against the Iraq War and Waxman voted for it!! ENOUGH SAID!

[motherfather]

I love Huffpo...I never thought I would want to know what the hell was going on in our country until it all went to H e ll. Now the inner workings as much as can be seen is absolutely fascinating. I so look forward to more!!! Yeah to democracy in action. I learn so much everyday. Now I am reading the Shock Doctrine. Somebody in the BUSH ADMINISTRATION better go to jail!

[blueskybigstar]

We should be outraged. Let the nation, all of us, take a day off of work in order to pressure our government to impeach him before the pardoning starts.