Blumenauer blogs the Waxman/Dingell showdown

Today, congressional Democrats decided to unseat Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) from his post as the chairman of the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee. In place of the longtime power player, they installed Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA). The move was seen as a major shift toward a stronger environmental policy.

From the AP:

Democrats steered the House toward more aggressively tackling global warming and other environmental problems Thursday, toppling veteran Michigan Rep. John Dingell, a staunch supporter of Detroit automakers, from an important energy panel in favor of California liberal Rep. Henry Waxman.

The switch could help President-elect Barack Obama on Capitol Hill with one of his favored issues: trying to curb global warming by limiting greenhouse gas emissions. But Waxman's combative stance on climate change and other issues also could alienate Republicans and moderate Democrats, making it harder to get the bipartisan support Obama will need.

Waxman is an avid environmentalist and booster of health care programs — and a home-state ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He defeated Dingell on a 137-122 vote in the Democratic Party caucus, capping a bruising intraparty fight.

Over at Daily Kos, our own Congressman Blumenauer blogs:

Many members expressed passion and emotion on behalf of John Dingell and his long and distinguished career. There were also very specific concerns raised about his variance with House leadership and the Caucus, as well as the American people. The fact that the Democratic leadership had to work around the Committee last session on renewable portfolio standards and fuel efficiency was telling; everyone expects this to be a major focal point for the Obama Administration and next Congress. For me, the discussion was as noteworthy as the outcome.

I supported new Chairman Henry Waxman, who has developed his own reputation for tenacity and has done an excellent job chairing the Oversight Committee and exposing the excesses of the Bush administration’s troubled tenure. In his new position, he will be able to do even more to advance major initiatives on healthcare and global warming. While bold transformations will be difficult, change will come more quickly and more smoothly. The Committee will now be in the middle of the debate rather than be a wild card at best or an obstacle at worst.

Discuss.