Dingell or Waxman Really Matters; Where Is Baldwin?

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin's membership on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee gives her leverage on a wide range of important issues that should bring significant benefits to the businesses, institutions, and taxpayers of our district. As she continues to accumulate seniority, her clout increases. However, the current fierce battle between current Chairman John "Big John" Dingell (D-General Motors) and Henry "Beverly Hills Cop" Waxman (D-Hollywood) for Chairman of Energy and Commerce is an opportunity for Rep. Baldwin to double down by backing the right guy.

By February, Dingell will have served in the House longer than anybody, ever. His wife is GM's head lobbyist, and for better or worse, Dingell represents the Conventional Wisdom of the Democratic Party on almost every issue, and has been around long enough to have championed several sides of every issue over time. When you think of Dingell, think of long-term efforts to loosen air quality and fuel economy requirements and the current push to bail out the Big Three.

Waxman, a bulldog on government oversight matters, is a Green progressive who has been a faithful representative of his constituents, many of whom are in the Industry, which in LA spans everything from the movie studios to TV to pop music. Think of trying to hold the Bush administration accountable, higher air and water quality standards and the role of the information economy when you contemplate Waxman.

Matt Stoller nails this one:

It's very hard to tell what's going on with the conflict.  Since it's secret ballot, certain members are probably promising their vote to both, and others are lying about who they will vote for...

 No one really has any idea how the votes will play out, but I am surprised that the blogs have taken so little interest in this fight.  The 2008 freshmen are being absorbed into the House quagmire without any protest from our quarters, or even requests that they actually take a position to help a progressive chair one of the most important committees in Congress, the one that regulates climate change, media policy, net neutrality, and trade.

Given the pixels spilled over pony plans for the carmakers and Lieberman, this is just weird.

Today the House Democratic Steering Committee voted 25-22 in a secret ballot to recommend Waxman. Tomorrow, all 255 Democratic House members vote.

So where's Tammy on this?  It's not too late to call or email her office with your preference.

- Barry Orton

UPDATE: The House Democrats elected Waxman today (11/20/08) by a very narrow margin:  137-122.  This is a victory for progressives and for environmentalists, and will make health care reform easier to accomplish.

Comments

[stuck]

a good sign
maybe it's swinging another way for a change