Waxman Defeats Dingall, Blue Dogs Get Spanked

In a stinging rebuke of the Blue Dog caucus, Henry Waxman has defeated John Dingell for Chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Why, it seems like only yesterday the conservative Blue Dogs were sniffing that the Steering Committee which recommended Waxman were a bunch of unrepentant hippies who didn't reflect the overall makeup of the Democratic caucus. (In fact, it was.)

This is a huge defeat for the Blue Dogs, who have become the primary recipients of the massive corporate donations which used to flow to the Republicans. They were were hoping to use Dingell as a roadblock to keep any meaningful change from happening with regard to issues under the Committee's jurisdiction -- telecommunications and health care, energy and environmental protection, interstate commerce and consumer protection.

Though she never took a public position, nobody has any doubts that Nancy Pelosi orchestrated this.

This week the Senate voted to remain an exclusive club of self-protection and entitlement by letting the corrupt Bush enabler Joe Lieberman keep his gavel, but the House voted for progress.

Anyone who thinks that other members of the House aren't soiling themselves over this huge blow to the traditional system of seniority and entitlement hasn't been paying attention.

Jane Hamsher blogs at firedoglake.com. Oh Heavenly Day video by Patrick Dwyer courtesy Howie Klein.

Follow Jane Hamsher on Twitter: www.twitter.com/janehamsher

Comments

[newunderground]

Waxman's a Hero.Give him whatever he wants.

[JoeyP]

Good riddance, we don't need a puppet of GM to serve as the chair of that committee -- we're really in a new era now, the Dems who trashed Clinton in 1993-94 should all be out on their ears for damaging the party.

[artsandminds]

After Obama’s victory my enthusiasm was dashed with the resurrection of H.R.Clinto­n as possible SOS, and the despicable non-action against Lieberman, (we need term limits on these millionaires, if it works for presidents and governors it can work for this elite bunch of self-serving hypocrites) but this action, removing the obstructionist, do nothing Dingell, with the best congressman in the nation Henry Waxman. Some hope lives on…

[intelliwoman]

I guess you voted for Obama without paying attention, probably a member of the Obama cult. Note: I voted for him too

He said: Lets change the way government operates. Make it more transparent. bring in the most intelligent, capable experienced team players and let them work. NOT bring in a bunch of people who've never held a real job in government, academics and fringers who will screw things up more than they already are.

ALSO lets get rid of partisanship, see where we AGREE and work from there NOT where we disagree, and thend all our time acting like petulant children. Obama needs Lieberman's vote, fortunately he's smart enough to know that.

[RoloTomassi]

"Obama needs Lieberman's vote, fortunately he's smart enough to know that."

True...so far. But I am keeping my fingers crossed for the remaining two senate seats, and I can't help but think that ole Joe Turncoat is sweating out the results from GA & MN.

I make no bones about it, I would love to see Lieberman kicked to the curb.

[repearwo]

Amen, and that includes intra-partisanship. Unity government.

[nefariouschafe]

I agree with your overall sentiment.­...and I couldn't be more thrilled about Waxman's ascendancy.

But we should all let the Lieberman thing go (well, at least those of us who don't live in Connecticut). He said lamentable things on the campaign trail but let's face it....this guy is the political equivalent of William H. Macy in 'The Cooler'. After he helped take down Al Gore and McCain, it's clear his mealy-mouthed Joe-mentum is the kiss of death to anyone's political aspirations.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Obama loaned him out to Romney, Palin, or Jindal in 2012.

[Skywalker012009]

See my comment-Dingell is anything but a do nothing

[runequester]

Yay for Henry! In your face, Pelosi!

[barryearle]

I think you misunderstood the story. Behind the scenes Pelosi orchestrated Waxman's victory. So, "in your face" seems inappropriate in this case.

[RnR]

This makes my day a little more pleasant :)

[dadw5boys]

Blue Dogs voted for Bush's tax cuts !!!!!!

They knew Bush would use the Social Security Trust Fund of working people to fund his tax cuts for the wealthy.

[repearwo]

The Boogie Man is always going to use the SSTF, but you see they don't and can't. Republicans used to claim the Democrats did the same. The SSTF is safe. IT is used for government spending but as loans that bear interest. The Trust Fund has to be turned around as loans or it just sets there loosing value.

[Primadonna]

Whoo-hoo for Henry Waxman ... I am proud to be from the land of Waxman. His regard for research and investigation will serve well as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He is a reasonable and fair man and now is the time for this brand of legislation in this era of Obama.