CNN

Dangle on, dirty Dingell!

This is good news. Henry Waxman is one of the most articulate, affable, intelligent persons in Congress. I hope he wins.

Ah, the beauty of it all. Pelosi, Reed and the fighting committee chairmen. Lots of excitement coming to town with "the change." I can see this bunch working together for the better future, as long as I do not want to work for a living because each hour more that I work is just more money that will be "spread around." Doesn't anyone want to live where they work hard, make more money and get ahead. If you do, how can you support "spreading the wealth around." You may be the next one that the "wealth is redistributed FROM.

Kennebunk Maine – Waxman is NOT a Senator, I would think you would know at least that much before you commented.

Let's hope that the Democrats in both houses of Congress get their act together before the new President takes office. He won a great battle and to have his party members keep the public opinion of Congress down to the high teens will ruin the chances of getting "Change" that was promised. It is not just the president's approval rating that counts but also Congress' and we have not seen it so low in decades. This is with the Democrats in control and Pelosi's promises of what she would accomplish as the Speaker of the House. Have we seen any results yet?

Time for Pres-elect Obama to knock some heads together.

GROW UP!

It's time to shake everything up. Waxman is one of the smartest, hardest working and courageous Congress people serving. Hopefully, some other strong DEMs will challenge Pelosi and Reid. Both have been weak and a disappointment to the Democratic base that has worked so hard to put Democrats in office. Obama is going to need people of extroidinary strength and courage. Dodd, Durbin, Feingold, Webb,McCaskill, in the Senate. Waserman-Schutz, Sanchez, Conyers, Waters, Edwards, Inslee, and others in the House.

Yep! In 2 short years when the dems shows the American people that they can't fix things than they will get the axe in the next election and the Republicans will gain the majority again. As it should be..if members of either party can't fix it than get out the hell out of the way for someone that can.

Mean while, let's start some investigative hearings into the fannie-mae and freddie-mac debacle and see who was really at fault for the current finacial crisis.

The auto industry is in trouble because of unions. How can they compete with auto makers from other countries when we pay a flunkie $25/hr and give him a white collar pension.

Both men are too old to being chairing a committee. They should let a younger, smarter person be chair. All they have done in the past is hold hearing, without any positive results or changes. They have not been effective for change.

If it was up to me "Change We Can Believe In" would mean every single incumbent on both sides of the isle would be gone and a completely new Congress would be sworn in in January 2009.

Well, it didn't take long did it.....seems Waxman held a lot of investigations for the past two years from which nothing came to fruition other than a big waste of time, and now he wants the top spot that he thinks will get himself more recognition. It appears Democrats are no better than anyone else always looking out for their own political future as well, above the people??? Poor conveying of Obama's message less than 24 hours after he was elected. He could have at leasted waited til the dust settled before trying to promote himself.

New president most the legislature is the same. Legislature makes the lwas. so most the laws that are made will be the same. how does this change washington??

Dingell protected the auto companies for decades against tougher fuel efficiency standards, and look where that's gotten us. Because of this and other bad business decisions, the auto companies are on the verge of bankruptcy. Dingell is complicit. He needs to go.

And so it starts, like a pack of hounds that having lost the scent of their prey, turn on themselves

Same old Democrats. These clowns are going to be hilarious to watch over the next couple of years. almost worth the confiscatory taxes I'll be asked to "contribute" to their cause.

Detroit couldn't make money on low-margin economy cars. Consumers were buying gas-guzzlers and will again (not that I agree with that), so that's what they made. The problem is not just the execs, but the unions that keep the wages too high and skyrocketing health costs and pensions.

dingall is" too old" and truely an impediment to progress and waxman , like shumer never saw a camera he didn't like.....God help you if you get in his way as he alignes himself for the perfect camera angle. waxman tells the truth when it only when it suits him and battered the drug industry for his own personal benefit where they were really hammered for his amusement and really without just cause...it's easy to criticize and see your own point of view and block out other ideas. both are narcissists and should retire and save the nation... we need "real people" that truely care not grandstanders, and lobbist's buddies and blowhards with power they know they are mis-using for their own benefit...PELOSI MAY LIKE WAXMAN, BUT WAXMAN LOVES WAXMAN.....HE'S BEEN THERE TOO LONG FOR OUR DEMOCRACY...YOU GOT TO ADMIT HE REALLY LOVES TO HEAR HIMSELF TALK...AND IGNORE HIS COLLEGUES...GET A JOB WILL YA!

1. Reelect Dingell. Waxman is owned by the radical environmentalist lobby.
2. Extend loan guarantees to the U.S. auto industry. All foreign manufacturers are subsidized by supportive home governments.
3. Enact a 5 year hiatus on all new environmental / mileage standards to see if in fact there is a measureable difference in average airborne pollution nationwide.
4. Enact laws limiting mandated environmental changes until specific non-automotive pollution emitters are limited to the carbon limits in force for automobiles and small trucks to current pollutants per million of ambient atmospheric air.
5. Demand international compliance with basic pollution standards for at least 10 years before current automotive standards are considered for review and then only if there is viable "real world" proof that the added limitations are economically viable and will have a measurable impact on current pollution levels.

Waxman is great,he will get out the handcuffs and Orange jumpsuits for Bush and company.

Can someone please oust Pelosi in the House? She is an insult to Democrats and the peace loving people of this nation who expected her to lead the impeachment movement, instead she has been complicit in torture and gone along with Bush every step of the way. She does not deserve to be Speaker any longer/

why is it so bad for someone to try and get a position they want? It's not like he called Dingel godless or a terrorist.

Get over it

This is sort of like giving written notice that you are interested in the job... the President and VP elect will be the one's to decide or push I suspect...

A republican today announced he wanted to take over house minority leadership... this formalities so that formal votes and the Pres and VP weigh in....

Rather than build all of these Hybrid cars and trucks we need to look to flex fuel so we don't need oil from over seas and we don't need to trash Alaska. There are many different fuel sources to explore so lets do that, besides Gov. Palin is doing enough damage to Alaska without any drilling. FYI flex fuel is 85% cleaner than gas. And I get better mileage on Flex than gas.

Waxman is a pompous windbag with delusions of grandeur. In other words, he's perfect for the job!

Good job "Dave, Houston, TX"

Thank you so much, comrade, for demonstrating what the new "Unity" and "Hope" in our country means... "fall in line or get thrown under the bus"

You will surely be nominated to Obama's new cabinet position: The Department of "Re-education". Where are you going to establish the the American Gulag?

Where do I apply for a green card to our new country: The State of Western EuroCubaZuela. Of course, I do risk public flogging for my "ignorant" disagreement with your policies.

Watch out "AJ", "Observing the Party in Control", "Truth Hurts", "gc" and "joe", Dave in Houston and his cronies are coming after you next...

Ummmm.....In-Fighting Already? Guess Obama will have to start using all his "Pretty Words" on his own people. This just might be very entertaining to watch.

This is the best shape the liberals have been in since Watergate and the Nixon resignation.

They could have done virtually anything then, but they spent so much time and effort trying to purge anyone who was even remotely moderate that they alienated those that might have been their allies in accomplishing their agenda.

Looks like Congressman Waxman is trying to lead them down that same road.

As a Michigander, I support Henry Waxman for Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. We need new blood in both Energy and Commerce and the U. S. Auto Industry. Dingell can serve on the Committee but it is time to go to the back of the bench and let youth lead. We need new leadership at the Auto Companies as well.

Charlie Wrangle should chair the ethics committee.

Barney Frank should be chairman of the committee, he knows a lot about gas.

Do any of you people have lives?

The American automobile industry is in hot water because of very bad business management by the corporate leadership, which comes down to short-term greed (gas-guzzling cars and extreme resistance to fuel efficiency plus exorbitant pay for failing executives) versus long-term planning (new, clean-energy technology). They don't need to be defended or bailed out – the decision-makers need to loose their jobs and their stock options and the WORKERS need the opportunity to get new jobs in the clean-energy economy. How will free markets ever work if those who made the BAD DECISIONS never suffer the consequences? We DO need to protect the workers somehow. Who is the best person to do this? That's who needs to be committee chairman!

I am from Michigan and Dingell isn't doing anything for our state. We are losing jobs, foreclosures are up and our economy sucks! He will not get another vote from me.

Replace the dinosaurs. Washington's support of giant, smog-spewing gas guzzlers is just another example of bad policy going hand in glove with bad business. I support replacing someone who is "conservative on energy" with a progressive. We need creative solutions: something a little more creative than invading an oil-rich nation or trashing Alaska. Dingell is a dinosaur.

I also suspect that President Obama is going to be governing from the middle (that's what the Audacity of Hope is all about). That being the case, Chairman Dingell will do a better job at that than Congressman Waxman.

Looks like the unity and "oneness" that Obama so eloquently spoke about was just another piece of bla bla bla. He will change Washington – really? When?????? Now this is the Democratic Party that the majority supported. What a bunch of dummys!

You two must be ashamed of yourselves.

Yup Rep. Waxman is hard working and a friend of Pelosi. Dingell represents the auto industry but he is 82 and has seniority. Strom Thurmond was 100 but knew when to step down as committee chairman. Lots of old farts in our Congress make it difficult for Obama or anyone to get quality legislation enacted. Remember the rules are NOT in the constitution but are made by the party. Lets see if our poorly run Congress can actually enact real quality lasting change legislation or was this election all about fund raising and maintaining the status quo?

Dear Mr Waxman....

Get Cheney on the stand first.........

Accountability is going to be a cornerstone for the next admin.....

without it......everything is still hot air...

Do it Sir .....Return credibility to the executive branch and our Justice system......Show the American character that has the courage and determination of a soldier by vigilantly pushing for accountability, truth and justice at all levels.

Truth to Power

Why do you insist on trying to make the peoples choice of electing Barack Obama a racial issue? Basically all of your interviews in regard to Barack Obama before and after the election are with african american people. I am caucasian and I voted for Barack Obama. Race was never an issue with my decision and obviously not for thousands of others. I agree this is a huge hurdle for the country. People of all race voted for Barack Obama.

Reporters were always questioning if race would be a factor in the election – who cares? Why does race have to come into play?

Please stop trying to make this into a racial election. Isn't that what we have been trying to get away from all of these years?

Vickie Rowell

I hope Waxman gets the Chairmanship. He's always shown himself, through his actions, to be a progressive and a reformer.

On another note, I hope the results of this election will get the Republicans to take a good look at their party and get back to their roots: fiscal conservatism, small government, and less–rather than more-intervention in the affairs of other nations. I hope moderates will finally wrest control from the right-wingers and Chrisitian fundamentalists to whom they have given the keys of the kingdom. A few years of power have come at a great cost to the GOP.

The United Auto Workers were pivotal in turning Indiana and Ohio for Obama. Those Democrats who are willing to flush the jobs not only of auto workers and those who depend on the 3 Detroit auto firms are risking a return of the Midwest to the Republican column. Can we find a compromise? Link fuel economy and cleaner emissions to a bailout package for example.

Arguing on the Internet does so much more good for the country than political wrangling.

Come on, what bickering? Two people are running for the leadership of a committee, that's all. It's not the Soviet Union here, we've got a democracy, and we should let it work.

I think Waxman is so ugly, he's even uglier than Dingell – if such a thing is possible. Do we have to look at them every other night on the news? Isn't it more than enough that we also have to hear marble-mouthed Barney Frank mumbling inanities through that jowly maw of his? Bllllech.

Everyone needs to chill out. We don't have visibility to what's going on there and if Waxman sincerely feels that Dingell needs to go to make way for the energy policy reform this country desperately needs, then this IS in the best interests of the constituents. It's too bad that the process for committee chairs has to boil down to drawing lines down one's own party. The system obviously isn't perfect, but if it takes stepping on some toes to get the progress we need, then those of us who believe a new direction in energy policy is required should support this bold move. Get it done now before Obama gets in the White House so we're all set up for the progress we expect.

Waxman is an incredibly hardworking senator. This is not about being devisive; rather, taking the momentum of the newly invigorated government and getting something done about our pathetic for once. Take a look at what Germany, Denmark, and most other European countries are doing to get themselves out of the energy crisis. Take another look at other countries' public transportation systems. The reason we don't have either in place here falls squarely upon the shoulders of our government's support of a lame auto industry and Americans who can't handle change. Talk about no time for infighting: have you heard the environmental news lately?

I don't understand most of the comments here. I have a lot of respect for Rep. Dingell, but if he is going to get in the way of a real energy policy, why not challenge him for the chairmanship? I know seniority means something, but at the same time, we should be looking to have the best people for the job in these important positions. If Waxman believes he is that guy, then he should absolutely make the case for it.

Okay Democrats......let's not screw this up! You need to get along and support our NEW PRESIDENT!!! If not, we will vote you OUT! Remember your terms are up in two years and out you will go!

Please don't be greedy and try to throw your weight out. You need to act like adults instead of the way the Republicans have acted the past eight years.

Waxman is a srange cat.

Dingell has too many ties to the auto industry. He'll support the status quo of (relatively) cheap gas prices, inefficient cars, and lack of meaningful regulation / tax of carbon emissions.Those are not the kinds of policies we should have if we want to seriously address global warming, dependence on foreign oil, and innovation in the US auto industry. So out with the old and in with the new!

Come on Waxman! Take off the Holloween mask and leave Dingell alone to continue his successful implementation of policies that positively affect us all.

This is a necessary purge if we want to get anything done on energy policy and legislation. Dingell is basically a Democrat in name only (DINO) when it comes to any environmental issue that the car companies don't like. Basically the same as if a Republican were running the committee. Waxman needs to take this seat so we can enact some pro-energy efficiency legislation and to address climate change.

The dogs are now fighting for the spoils. Tell me they are not only interested in their own power hungry ways......

Waxman is a clown. His entire career is a horse and pony show.

I trust Waxman! Bring him on! Everybody over 70 in Washington... GET OUT! You've had plenty of time to get things done, and you have NOT.

May the best man win!

Good for Waxman! Dingell is a tool of the auto industry. He is the LAST person who should be heading the committee on Energy and Commerce. Kind of like many of Bush's picks for cabinet positions who were friends of the industries they were appointed to regulate!

Let the pig fight at the trough begin!

Go PiggieCrats Go.

Granholm, Dingell, Conyers and Levin all need to go in Michigan.

They are to Michigan what Bush is to the US.

I'm not impressed with Dingell because he bears much responsibility for domestic automakers (management, workers, suppliers) serving their personal financial interests even as they kept on building gas-guzzlers rather than foreseeing future trends that are now realities.

If this is how the Democrats plan on treating their own in this era of post partisanship it doesn't bode well for the rest of us.

Love it. Love it. love it.

Dingell is a great man, the Dean of the House, and has been a loyal Democratic Congressman for years. However, he is in fact in the pocket of the auto-industry that is based within his congressional district. Congressman Waxman, my Representative, is a great man as well, and will help to formulate the country's energy policy without pressure from powerful automotive corporations that are based within Dingell's own district. Good luck!

'SIC'

Stow your EGO Waxman and leave the sideshow business to Ringling Brothers! Get out of the way so Dingell can get some work done!

Waxman is such an annoying little man.

Now we find he is suffering delusions of grandeur.

pathetic. this idiot cant put aside personal ambition for a second. our GREAT new president should stomp all this petty bickering out. I am ashamed that this fellow is from my Golden State

The in-fighting has begun, with every Dem vying (or begging) for a power position. Supposedly Kerry is pushing to be named Secretary of State.

Come on, Dems: The last thing we need is the same in-fighting that doomed the Dems in Congress in the 1994 mid-term elections. It seemed that as soon as the Dems controlled both Houses and the Presidency, they immediately collapsed into an orgy of special-interest struggles and back-biting.

DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN THIS TIME!! That's what all the GOP'ers were saying the last few weeks, that a fully-Dem-run gov't will run out of control. PROVE THEM WRONG!!

Forget about personal agendas. Forget about special interests. Forget about pent-up demand for pay-back after years in the wilderness. AS YOU SHOULD HAVE LEARNED IN THE EARLY NINETIES, that will lead to a VERY short run with your hands on all the levers of power, and the people will give power back to the GOP in a flash.

Listen–REALLY LISTEN–to what our new President-Elect said last night. We all (and that means BOTH Dem and GOP.... and independents, for that matter) have to work together!

poster child for term limits

Being from Dingell's home state of Michigan, I can say this with complete certainty...

Henry Waxman should be the chair of Energy and Commerce.

Waxman is a coward and a hypocrite.Nuff said.

These buffoons best put political ambition aside and get to work. The republicans just found out how the American voter treats those who squander our future for personal gain!

GC in Lubbock (aka Raidertown)

Waxman needs to work on investigating Dodds, Obama, Franks & Schumer on Fannie May & Freddie Mack failures.

Let's see how Pelosi and Reid find a centrist path...

What's the big deal? would you rather an 82 years old (no offense) lead the committee? Lazytown will evaporate once Barack is in office. Go for it, Waxman.

As chair of the Government Reform Committee, Waxman has a history of fighting the good fight, taking on greedy corporations, Bush administration coverups, and Halliburton-style corruption, even if at times it has meant he has played the role of David fighting Goliath. I trust his judgement, and I think he deserves the seat.

You are wrong "Concerned American!" John Dingell is in the pocket of Detroit and even though he is pro-labor, he has been against making Detroit make better cars.

Henry Waxman is putting Country First (as you people like to say) by risking some internal party strife to get things done for all America.

You might want to get your facts straight, "Concerned American," or keep your ignorant opinions to yourself, or risk being publicly humiliated by me.

Yank Dingell. Absolutely. Anyone who backs the auto industry as is shouldn't be in office, much less head of the Energy Committee.

Quit badmouthin Henry. Just look at the ears. He be Bama's brother.
Quiet fools!!!!!

As a person who voted for Obama, and wants all the republicans out. And as a native californian, I will also be one of the first to say, when this man is up for re-election, I'll vote against him for this stunt! This is not a time to create divide...dispicable man!

My biggest concern is this. What the hell is up with those two gigantic pig nostrils on the face of Waxman? Jeez Louise!!!

Dingell is just that. A tired old dingell. Somebody put that guy out of his misery. Dude an barely speak without taking a break for oxygen.

Ah! Obama unity is so refreshing!

Way to go henry. as harry said give em hell.

Two Words:

Oink Oink!

Wow. Change I can believe in.

And so the Pelosi machine begins......and you thought Obama would be in charge.....wish Obama luck, he is going to need it.

Why don't you learn from Dingell's experience, honor, and tact, congressman, and take a seat behind him?

I'm suprised Waxman, who is from California, as is Ms Palosi, isn't trying to kick Harry Reid from his post. I hope the members of the house don't let him get away with it. Ms Palosi has too much power as it is. We really don't need all her "friends from the west coast" taking over.. She's bad enough to put up with. I'm sure President elect Obama and V.P. elect Joe will have to stand back to back with whips and chains to keep this group in control now....LOL...

As usual, Democrat Politicians puttting themselves first before their constituants and the rest of the country.

Waxman, we are watching you. If in fighting starts already, then I will have little hope that change is coming. This is nothing more then a reach for power. That is quite unappealing, and will give fuel to the fire for those that speculate a democratic controlled house and senate will not stop arguing, they will simply begin arguing with themselves.

There is no reason to shoot for the seat if it is and has been given to THE senior democrat on the committee.

I voted democrat and for Obama, but I'm not pleased to see this childish grab for power so early on. It's discomforting to say the least. We can vote you all out next cycle just as easy as we did with the republicans this cycle.

Politics is a bloodsport.

Yeah Waxman, I trust you to get a lot done.

Aren't you the same one who wasted a bunch of Congress' time on Roger Clemens? What a sideshow that was.

Let the posturing begin...