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Is Michigan Rep. John Dingell (D) -- the longest serving member of the House ever -- in trouble?
Despite the anti-incumbent political environment, Michigan's devastated economy, and the second-highest unemployment rate in the country, few thought the race would be competitive. After all, the district -- in the state's southeastern corner stretching from Ann Arbor to the Ohio border -- is so heavily Democratic that John Kerry swamped George W. Bush by 20 percentage points in 2004. And Dingell, who has not won less than 60% of the vote since 1994, has far outspent his underfunded challenger, cardiologist Robert Steele.
There's little reliable public polling in the race. But, with barely a week to go before Election Day, there are unmistakable signs of concern. One example: Former President Bill Clinton is making a hastily arranged visit to Ann Arbor on Sunday afternoon for a Dingell rally at the University of Michigan. In addition, there are signs that organized labor is shifting resources to the race as Democrats try to hang on to their House majority.
Steele, who says he was motivated to run by health-care reform, is using the slogan: "Time for a change." The seat has been held by someone named John Dingell for 77 years -- first the current congressman's father from 1933 until 1955, and then John Dingell Jr. ever since.
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I think if you examine the man's record you will find physcal responsibility. Unlike the Republican Party who kept the expense of 2 wars out of the national budget and didn't account for that debt. It was President Obama who put that debt back on the books and started to account for all liabilities of the federal Government and taking responsibility for them. Dosn't anyone research facts before they comment?
And your point is WHAT? Ummmm, your hopey changey dude has spent more in 21 months than the past 3 administrations combined (even counting the expense of the wars). YOU need to check your facts my friend! Wake up America!!! It's time to take OUR country back from the left wing nut jobs!
Term limits. No more career politicians and no more dynasties. A Dingell in office for 77years!
Term limits don't work because even the good ones get thrown out. People who are for term limits are just uninformed citizens too lazy to do their research. Know who you are voting for!
Whether he does a good job or not is irrelevant. Holding a political office is supposed to be a privilege, not a career move. I think more people should get the opportunity to do something good for their state or country. Term limits will keep a steady flow of new and fresh ideas to a part of this country that has become stagnant. Why is it politics as usual? Because of people like Dingell. He, just like every other career politician, is set in his ways. They dont change their beliefs or views even tho times change and this isn't the same nation it was when he first entered office. I guess my point is that if we let people make a career out of politics, someone, somewhere will never get the opportunity to bring their thoughts and ideas to the table. Who knows, they may have been the one to bring about REAL hope and change.
Some observations from Great Lakes country:
Dingell has seen better days, but still a lot of fight left in the old bird. Counting him out is a mistake. Perhaps term limits are a viable answer.
Polls say that people are turning out to vote out incumbents (mostly Democrats). In two years the repubs will be the incumbents, and disaffected voters will train their sights on the republic party again. More blood in the water. Repubbies are beating their chests and crowing today, but, don't forget, it just wasn't all that long ago that America's electorate was dumping all things repub on the curb.
Nobody was buying the crap they were peddling for 30 years. "Trickle down" left Americans out of work and foreclosed, and they took Gingrich's challange of "repubs will deliver a better America,....or you can fire us" to heart.
So America fired em'. Fired em' in 06' and again in 08'.
Core repub beliefs indicate "smaller government". These "smaller government" people are clawing and scratching and clamoring for a chance to get INTO government. Government office is an awful wierd vocation for people who claim to hate it,....wouldn't you say? Points again to the fact that all Connies are hypocrites.
Would love to tag-team with Fiesty to beat up on the righties. I read and admire her stuff daily along with U.S. Navy retired, etal. You guys rock, and never fail to take a fight to the Connie punks.
It amazes me that there is no reliable poll and it still makes news. Geez, how stupid are these Republicans? It is time to say NO to the Party of NO. The National Corporate Republicans can't even buy the seats anymore. Even with the miilions their corporations are pouring into the campaigns the Republican puppets still have to rely on mere lies to create news. VOTE DEMOCRATIC! Stop the sale of the US to the corporations.
Dump Dingell! 55 yeas is too long, we don't need worthless career politicians. Rob Steele is going to wipe the floor with him. Ann Arbor is full of Steele for Congress signs, with nary a Dingell-berry to be found. Even the wackie libs are tired of Dingell.
Joe, Let's see who the party of No is after the elections. Saying no to bigger government and larger debt is not necessarily a good thing. Obama and the Dems won't be happy until all of this country is like you. I voted for this fraud of a President. Feeling stupid and betrayed.
He has been there far too long. Being there so long, he has too take a lot of the blame for the way things are.
How can we have "hpoe and changed" if we keep voting in the same ol same ole and expect better results.
He needs to go.
@Arizona Tumbleweed: Don't underestimate the racism that stills seeths in America's underbelly, my friend; I'm sure just as many if not MORE people didn't vote for Obama because of the color of his skin. Stop sounding so ignorant, willya?
Party politics right now humors me to no end. We've got a Prez who's bopping all over the country to campaign for sitting Liberals and people of our Nation wondering where the visionary wisdom of our Presidential leadership is. I laugh every day when I think of Obama running around the campaign trail trying to save Liberals' butts from well deserved annihilation. Man that guy has his priorities in order, huh? Wonder who'll resign from his Admin next month. No more progressive reformist Liberals needed at the National level. Can we please balance the "majority" voice once and for all and remove Liberals as the majority law making party? That would be nice.
I agree 100%. When they have records Dingle and Gary Peters in Michigan they need all the help they can get........Clinton, he's here to see one of his girl friends that he has around the country. Both Clinton and Obama don't support anything that's not in "their" best interest
Oh, how I hope he IS in trouble!!
Man, how I hope he IS in trouble!
Being a second generation "True American" and living here in Michigan all of my life and watching the Dingle ads that shows older folks saying Rob Steele is going to destroy social security are quite "lame". You want to talk about "Using Older Americans" to instill fear in other, well this ad (which happens to be approved by John Dingle) is just that! Let's face it, John Dingle just can't run on his record.
If you want Obamacare and higher healthcare costs, Cap and Trade Taxes and less jobs, Unemployment over 9.6% and the list goes on and on......well, then vote for John Dingle. And then you will only have yourself to blame for the lack of the aforementioned.
Don't be lead down a path of B.S. this November. Vote to save America this November, vote to keep America from becoming a socialistic country!
Just look at France today. You could be looking at the United States of America in the very near future!
What? He's in trouble? Maybe he should tout the Obamacare accomplishments. LOL!
keith-1139695
All of the bums in Washington was in on this one, sending jobs to China. But is was Bill "I did not have sex with that woman" Clinton that signed it into law.
Well, if he ain't in trouble he should be. How could voters in good conscience, vote a failed politican into office again?
OMG You all really perked me up today, I am so thrilled to see the comments posted here. Very cool! I thought for sure that I was the only Conservative in a sea of libby's in Michigan.... My faith has been restored now let's get out there and vote to bring this win home huh? Keep it up lets send old Dingleberry to the unemployment line (or the retirement home) I don't care just SEND HIM please!!!