Democrats Oust Longtime Leader of House Panel [Waxman replaces Dingell]

New York Times ^ | November 20, 2008 | John M. Broder

[Lorianne]

Representative Henry A. Waxman wrested the chairmanship of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee from Representative John D. Dingell on Thursday in a coup that is expected to accelerate passage of energy, climate and health legislation backed by President-elect Barack Obama.

Mr. Waxman, 69, of California, who mounted a quiet but devastatingly effective two-week campaign against his longtime Democratic colleague, won the chairmanship with a 137-to-122 vote in the Democratic Caucus. The vote was secret, but many allies of Speaker Nancy Pelosi backed Mr. Waxman’s move, and several members said they had voted on the assumption that Ms. Pelosi had tacitly approved.

Democrats also read the signals coming from the president-elect’s transition office, which this week announced the intention to name Philip Schiliro, a longtime aide to Mr. Waxman, as the White House director of Congressional relations.

[YellowRoseofTx]

They even stab each other in the back. Love it

[R W Reactionairy]

Dingell at least was pro gun. IIRC a former NRA Board member.

Waxman by the old definition could qualify as pornography. No redeeming social value whatsoever.

[Wonderama Mama]

Henry Waxman is my congressman. I’m sorry people, he ran unopposed as he does every time.

[R W Reactionairy]

Jane Harman "represents" me. Not a loon ... at least the by the standards Democrats are measured [grading on the curve.] My sympathies. Waxman is an embarrassment to the institution.

[Wonderama Mama]

thanks but no one will ever run against him. my neighbor who is very politically active was considering it. he’s very conservative, but thought he could even run as a Democrat. He go NO support from local Democrats and Republicans have just given up and don’t even bother with this stupid little powerful enclave i live in.

[Snapping Turtle]

Waxman can “rat” out anything!

[Dogbert41]

What this means is an immediate end to American coal, nuclear and oil production.

[traditional1]

This is the best candidate they can offer in that District?

[R W Reactionairy]

Sorry to drop any pretense of the high ground ... but doesn’t he look a little like the winner of the world’s ugliest dog competition?

[Lorianne]

Yikes! If any female politician looked even remotely as ‘unattractive’ as that she’d never get elected.

[traditional1]

Waxman gives new meaning to the term “butt-ugly”....

[Koblenz]

Yikes! If any female politician looked even remotely as ‘unattractive’ as that she’d never get elected.

I give you Rosa DeLauro, who represents New Haven, CT and surrounding areas.

[aShepard]

................The vote was secret,.............

Oh, excuse me!

It’s allright for the RATS, but it’s not allright for secret ballots to determine whether you will pay union dues (before your employer goes under!)

[pankot]

What if Rosa and Henry had children together? Armageddon?

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !