Comments on: Waxman working to oust Dingell

By: DonnieJ

DonnieJ — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:04:17 +0000

Dangle on, dirty Dingell!

By: geoffrey commons

geoffrey commons — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:13:59 +0000

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

By: Rabbit851

Rabbit851 — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:13:00 +0000

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?

By: deb in Colo

deb in Colo — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:07:14 +0000

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

GROW UP!

By: xargaw

xargaw — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:56:07 +0000

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.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:48:34 +0000

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.

By: Mac

Mac — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:35:34 +0000

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.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:20:55 +0000

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.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:20:48 +0000

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.

By: Ann,

Ann, — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:20:00 +0000

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.

By: mike

mike — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:16:19 +0000

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??

By: Chester

Chester — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:14:17 +0000

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.

By: Penn Voter

Penn Voter — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:12:17 +0000

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

By: Change? Suuuure.....

Change? Suuuure..... — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:10:19 +0000

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.

By: Mike from Chicago

Mike from Chicago — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:58:56 +0000

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.

By: ron from upstate NY

ron from upstate NY — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:58:00 +0000

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!

By: Richard Larson

Richard Larson — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:57:34 +0000

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.

By: gerri

gerri — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:56:53 +0000

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

By: Sue in MI

Sue in MI — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:52:49 +0000

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/

By: please

please — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:41:59 +0000

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

By: will ny

will ny — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:41:32 +0000

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....

By: cs

cs — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:35:45 +0000

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.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:35:22 +0000

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

By: Concerned American

Concerned American — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:35:11 +0000

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...

By: Darryl

Darryl — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:21:18 +0000

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.

By: Totenzwerg

Totenzwerg — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:17:00 +0000

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.

By: Tom Fleming

Tom Fleming — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:16:45 +0000

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.

By: GENE

GENE — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:07:38 +0000

Charlie Wrangle should chair the ethics committee.

By: GENE

GENE — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:06:04 +0000

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

By: GENE

GENE — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:03:18 +0000

Do any of you people have lives?

By: Craig Nazor

Craig Nazor — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:58:49 +0000

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!

By: susie

susie — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:58:00 +0000

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.

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:56:14 +0000

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.

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:55:11 +0000

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.

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:52:15 +0000

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!

By: Nija

Nija — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:46:30 +0000

You two must be ashamed of yourselves.

By: LA County

LA County — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:42:57 +0000

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?

By: A real cornerstone for whats been corroded

A real cornerstone for whats been corroded — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:41:54 +0000

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

By: Vickie Rowell

Vickie Rowell — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:39:25 +0000

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

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:36:57 +0000

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.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:32:56 +0000

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.

By: MK

MK — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:32:47 +0000

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

By: Unreadable

Unreadable — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:29:19 +0000

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.

By: rick

rick — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:29:01 +0000

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.

By: Rational Washingtonian

Rational Washingtonian — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:27:38 +0000

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.

By: Kennebunk, Maine

Kennebunk, Maine — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:27:11 +0000

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?

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:21:17 +0000

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.

By: Toni

Toni — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:19:20 +0000

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.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:18:51 +0000

Waxman is a srange cat.

By: Dwayne

Dwayne — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:17:59 +0000

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!