Political Perceptions: Is Obama Glad to See Dingell Go?

It was a tough week for Rep. John Dingell , who, at age 82, was dumped by his own colleagues as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Christopher Beam of Slate suspects that President-elect Barack Obama’s team was happy to see it happen. “Barack Obama’s own transition team could not have hoped for a better outcome,” Beam writes. “In fact, there are signs it did more than just hope.” Though Dingell is a liberal stalwart on many issues and would have been helpful to Obama, “on climate legislation, Dingell would not have been a help” because of his staunch defense of the auto industry, Beam says. “Obama has pledged to make addressing climate change a priority—a commitment he reiterated in a video address this week. And some Senate Democratic leaders, normally moderate checks on their wild-eyed House counterparts, appear eager to take on clean energy and fuel efficiency.” In addition, “stylistically, (Henry) Waxman is a better fit for an Obama-led Democratic charge. He’s crazy, but ... (link)