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House Dems Wrangle Over Top Posts

Waxman aims to bump Dingell out of key chairmanship

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Nov 6, 2008 9:40 AM CST

(Newser) – Tuesday's votes were still being counted when House Democrats started wrangling over leadership positions, Politico reports. Henry Waxman has launched a challenge for chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee, aiming to take out John Dingell of Michigan, whose support is eroding. Says a lobbyist: "He has done nothing on energy because he is in the pockets of the auto companies, and that hurt us this year."

Nancy Pelosi professed ignorance of Waxman's plans, but she has clashed with Dingell in the past, and her support would be invaluable to Waxman. “Nancy gets what Nancy wants,” says one colleague. There may be even more infighting ahead: If Rahm Emanuel becomes the White House chief of staff, expect a throw-down for his job. "It would hurt for him to leave," said a leadership aide.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell questions witnesses on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 23, 2008, during a hearing on energy speculation and the cost of crude oil. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

In this June 6, 2008, file photo, Rahm Emanuel huddles with Barack Obama in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, to discuss Tuesday's presidential elections. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., questions witnesses during a hearing at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008 on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Murtha redux.
- Anonymous Democratic lawmaker, comparing Waxman's challenge to Dingell to Rep. John Murtha's post-2006 Pelosi-backed challenge to Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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House Dems Wrangle Over Top Posts