Re: Waxman-Dingell Showdown

This is a great day in America -- Waxman at the helm of energy makes the prospect of an ET revolution that much more possible and perhaps the lives of mu grandchildren won't resemble Oliver Twist.

Sorry, JNS, not to besmirch your sources, but this was to be expected. Dingell's recent press releases had the stink of desperation.
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Congratulations to Henry Waxman, and to Nancy Pelosi to engineered this coup. She is the power to watch.

To quote my beloved, departed Grandpa --
Well, I'll be dadgum.

This actually is as least as important than the Lieberman thing, in my opinion. Goodbye Tailpipe Johnny.

Great news. (And my guess was wrong.) And congratulations on being right.
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Seems my sources this ayem were incorrect....

You will of course bear this in mind the next time the same people have further tidbits....
;-0

Who gets Oversight?

NFW, really? JNS, this is a pleasant surprise. Time to get some new sources.

Great news. I'm afraid that the Michigan news media will play it as a loss of influence for our state. Hopefully they'll be able to take the long view.
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Which Committee is up for a vote next?

JNS, can you find out the vote?.
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I wrote why I thought this would happen in the other thread, but it couldn't have helped Dingell when his frail carcass had to be wheeled in the chamber in a wheelchair. Tell me he didn't have oxygen.
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The critical difference between the House and the Senate is the difference in power between Pelosi and Reid. This was Pelosi's victory, and they smartly kept their whip operation low-profile. I would bet they got a huge proportion of the newer reps. The Senate is a club, but the House is different. They all have to run again in 2 years. They want to front-end the agenda.

Elder Abuse week in Congress!

From Politico: The vote was 137-122 in favor of Waxman.

JNS
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I have only one request of you and if you fullfil it I will NEVER EVER ask you for anything else...for the next five minutes. Can you please ask someone off the record if the vote for Waxman in any way reflects the blowback the Democratic Senators are getting from allowing Liebeman to keep his gavel
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Thanks in advance

hickoryduck: Thanks. We knew it was going to be close.
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Pelosi is the new Iron Lady. There is no question who rules the Hill.

I wonder if the incoming administration has anything to do with it. He was pretty unequivocal the other day that lowering emissions was going to be a major agenda item of his. Without a doubt, Dingell was going to stand in the way.

SG -- I know you want to hope this is the case, but this is just part of the strategy to achieve the energy revolution man. Waxman (the best damn legislator in the house) on energy and removing Lieberman from environment, making deal with Lieberman (and possibly McCain and Graham) for support its all part of fulfilling Obama's top priority and the most critical move for long -term economic security for the nation.

Bits and duck: I thought the margin of victory was wider than I expected.

via KagroX
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UPDATE: Looking back at Blue Dog Jim Matheson's assessment of the predictive value of the Steering Committee decision, I think he gets the buzzer on this one. The Steering Committee went 25-22, or 53.2%, for Waxman. The full Caucus went 137-122, or 52.9%, for Waxman

People forget Pelosi is a Baltimore politician representing San Francisco.

Damn… here I was, all set with a nice, snarky Karate Kid reference, and these guys go and do the right thing!

Seriously, I'd say it mattered that Dingell is 82.

Dee
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Maybe you don't understand the significance of this move but even though the house doesnt have the prounounced seniority system of the Senate, historically they have followed some semblance of order tied to seniority. And I don't know how many times this has EVER happened but I can guarantee you if it has ever happened before that a sitting Chairman was unseated in the House its been a LONG AZZ TIME since that happened. Its entirely possible that the Lieberman decision pushed some in the House not to go by normal rules and back Waxman because even though he wasn't senior to Dingell, he is the right man for the job.
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By the way Dee you have seen the reports where Lieberman said he wasnt punished at all right?
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If not here you go
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http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/20/91650/621/72/664039

JNS - Continuing to beat the horse, you ought to write an article about the impact of this "change election," in terms of both aged members of Congress and aged traditions of Congress. I'd say they are taking a beating, but still answering the bell. It'd be interesting.

Sorry, sgw, but the results could have been predicted a week ago when Waxman made this play. He wouldn't have done it, if he didn't have Pelosi's support and therefore, the votes. Never go to the floor unless you have the votes. The Steering Committee was just a formality, as they are controlled by Pelosi and the leadership anyway.
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With this, energy and healthcare vaults up to top priorities on the agenda, as Obama promised. Pelosi and Waxman will be point on those issues, making them the most powerful people on the Hill.

By the way
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Little known secret is I played football with Heath Shuler at Tennessee. I state this because I am watching him right now on CSPAN questioning this guy from the Treasury Department about the bailout and the credit crisis. And while I am TREMENDOUSLY proud that he has been elected to the House of Representatives, I have to tell you that he was dumb as a box of rocks in college and it doesn't seem as if he has had a brain transplant since then. How did he get elected to help run our country?