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Waxman Defeats Dingell to take Influential House Post

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November 20, 2008 11:17 AM

ABC News' Rick Klein, Dean Norland, and Jonathan Karl Report: House Democrats voted Thursday to put Rep. Henry Waxman in charge of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee, in a stinging rebuke to the House's longest-serving member that could have wide implications for the Obama administration's environmental agenda.

Waxman, D-Calif., defeated Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., in a 137-122 secret-ballot vote. Dingell has long been one of the auto industry's biggest champions, and Waxman's case to his colleagues was based in large part on his promise to push an agenda that aligns more closely with that of President-elect Barack Obama.

"The prevailing view in the caucus, and the argument we made, was that we needed a change for the committee to have the leadership that will work with this administration, and with members of both the House and the Senate, in order to get important issues passed in health care, in environmental protection, in energy policy," Waxman said. "We are at a unique moment in history. We have an opportunity that maybe only comes once in a generation and I think that the Democratic caucus agreed with me that we must meet that challenge and move forward on those important policies."

House leaders created a new post for Dingell -- chairman emeritus. Dingell was first elected to Congress in 1955, and in February is set to become the longest-serving member in the history of the House of Representatives.

November 20, 2008 in Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (11)

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Revenge time for supporting The Greatest Leader's opponent during the primaries.

Posted by: fat cat | Nov 20, 2008 11:42:11 AM

Progress. America is on the mend.

Posted by: dem in chicago | Nov 20, 2008 11:47:25 AM

not revenge at all. dingell has deliberately and willfully stood in the way progress in environmental issues for years. it might be fair to say that without his support, the big three might have been forced to make major changes many years ago, and wouldn't be in the mess they are currently in.

Posted by: antijake | Nov 20, 2008 11:56:36 AM

This is just wonderful. You can kiss the whole auto industry......bye bye.

Waxman is no friend of the auto industry and will regulate it to death...and that includes foreign auto manufactures.

Also with Waxman in control...we all can look forward to having more of our hard earned money janked from our wallets and pocketbooks to try to satisfy Waxman's Far-left Utopian views.
What a pathetic way to start our new Congress.

Posted by: gtessex | Nov 20, 2008 12:04:09 PM

'55? good riddance to bad rubbish. same goes for the auto industry. All those execs need to be hanged.

They have betrayed America time and time again.

To hell with those who support these pathetic excuses of human excrement.

Posted by: Steve | Nov 20, 2008 12:08:48 PM

"Waxman, D-Calif., defeated Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., in a 137-122 secret-ballot vote."

So, Deomcratic congressmen do not have the gonads to fill the chair by an OPEN vote--and insist on a secret ballot.

Then in January, they will take the secret ballot away from American workers with "Card Check." And Obama will sign it to pay off his fatcat Union benefactors.

Posted by: Secret ballot for Me, but not for Thee | Nov 20, 2008 4:39:41 PM

the greedy need regulation,the more you get from earth,work,god,the more you should return.conserve,tax,tithe.progressive vrs.regressive.forward vrs.backward. for the past 2or3 decades regressive tax increased progressive tax decreased greed got more greed.the middle class on down is dying along with mother earth. just ask why?

Posted by: just ask why? | Nov 20, 2008 5:03:50 PM

I think they ought to treat the auto bailout like federal financing of elections: add a check box to our 2008 tax return forms. "If you wish to donate a dollar to GM, Ford and Chrysler, check here. This will not increase your tax or decrease your refund."

I wonder how much they'd get?

Posted by: Henry Ford | Nov 20, 2008 6:10:38 PM

Waxman is just another member of the leftist illuminati who will fit perfectly with Obama's cabinet. This is the change that the Great One was promising?

Posted by: Jeff | Nov 20, 2008 10:43:56 PM

dark beady eyes--tell all--he is not human--he hates all that is american--and is spiritually challenged--unfortuneately fell through the cracks into power--he doesnt believe in god for the reason of an incompassionate god that rendered his dna as such that he blames god for the injustice god dealt him--therefore has no soul---mad with power--this is unfortunate--please help him god to walk into the light

Posted by: cisc | Nov 21, 2008 3:37:12 AM

House Democrats voted Thursday to put Rep. Henry Waxman in charge of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee, in a stinging rebuke to the House's longest-serving member that could have wide implications for the Obama administration's environmental agenda.Waxman, D-Calif., defeated Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., in a 137-122 secret-ballot vote. Dingell has long been one of the auto industry's biggest champions, and Waxman's case to his colleagues was based in large part on his promise to push an agenda that aligns more closely with that of President-elect Barack Obama.
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WILSON

house for sale by owner

Posted by: martinaedward | Nov 28, 2008 12:14:33 PM

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