Incumbent U.S. Rep. John Dingell has the lead over Rob Steele in Washtenaw, Wayne counties; Steele still ahead in Monroe County
Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. John Dingell holds the lead against Republican cardiologist Rob Steele in the race for the 15th congressional district seat, with nearly half of precincts reporting as of midnight. Earlier in the evening, Steele held the lead in the southern Wayne County district.
Dingell has 50 percent of the vote, compared to Steele's 46 percent, with 178 of 368 precincts reporting in District 15 in Wayne County, according to a report filed at 11:38 p.m. by the Associated Press.
U.S. Rep. John Dingell is gaining ground.
In Washtenaw County, Dingell holds the lead with 65.85 percent of the votes counted so far to Steele's 31.29 percent. A total of 75 of 176 precincts have reported here, as of 11:43 p.m.
As of 10:46 p.m., Steele had 56 percent of the vote in Monroe County to Dingell's 41 percent, with 50 of 74 precincts reporting.
In October, a poll showed Dingell with a 17-point lead over Steele among likely voters, with 53 percent backing the Dearborn Democrat, 36 percent backing Steele, an Ann Arbor-area cardiologist, and 6 percent planning to choose a third-party candidate.
Dingell, D-Dearborn, an 84-year-old veteran politician, has been in office since 1955. Steele has consistently hammered on Dingell's longevity in office, stressing he's not a career politician and would bring a new perspective to Congress.
"If there's one thing I'm not, I'm not a politician," Steele told a crowd of more than 200 on the University of Michigan Diag last week. "It's time that we now, instead of sending a career politician back to Washington, D.C., we send a member of the community, a citizen, to go there and clean up the mess."
Comments
Daniel
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 11:45 p.m.
The NY Times map has Dingell up by 10%+ with 66% reporting. Dingle wins. The thing that Steele supporters and anti-Dingell people on this comment thread need to realize is that John Dingell is the Strom Thurmond of Michigan. He will die in office. He brings projects and money to this state. It seems to me that, ever since the fudging of the poll numbers back in September (when Dingell's double-digit lead was buried and not even mentioned by the reporter writing the story), Annarbor.com has been selectively reporting the news, and getting creative with the headlines (like tonight), to make it seem as if Steele had a shot. Steele supporters should be annoyed with Annarbor.com for stringing them along.
Dan H
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 11:41 p.m.
Please remove True Fan's comments about our new Governor. I thought name calling was not permitted.
True_Wolverine_Fan
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 11:32 p.m.
Thank God for John Dingell! Now we just have to wait until 2014 to get that 'of the rich, by the rich, for the rich' jerk out of the Governor's office.
Dan H
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 11:27 p.m.
JohnnyA, You are bringing up fallacious arguments. Study some economics. Your examples are wrong because you are not accounting for what is known as comparative advantage in economic terms. In your examples of the world, wealth is a fixed sum pie. It's not. In certain cases, it is, but when it comes to free trade and private initiatives, it is most certainly not. You should also learn more about how the division of labor is the key underpinning of prosperity. I suggest reading Adam Smith's classic "The Wealth of Nations." Now, when it comes to pork, like what good ole Dingell is doing, that is not only a zero sum game, it's a net detriment to society in economic/prosperity terms. Just like bailing out Wall Street was. It certainly helped them, but screwed over everyone else who pays taxes or holds wealth in US dollars. Not to mention it was morally bankrupt. I'm quite tired of liberals who justify things on alleged expediency. Even if something DID work, that doesn't make it right morally. Liberals also tend to make the mistake that we're a democracy when in fact we're a constitutional republic. There's a huge difference and it would really help if they looked up what the difference is.
David Briegel
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 11:22 p.m.
Nephilim, Yup, you are correct, Perpetual War Profiteering has become our Nations "value", for which we stand, and our number one export to the world! And you better learn Chinese, the victors of Ronnies Cold War!
Dan H
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 11:19 p.m.
Jake, The dictionary is a poor choice when it comes to looking at where these terms come from. History is where you need to go for that. No two sentences in a dictionary is going to do an adequate job when it comes to these definitions. Let's agree to disagree. Suffice it to say, a true conservative (old guard conservative) is NOT a republican. And I know libertarians agree with liberals on many issues. However, to be fair, there are left and right libertarians. Yes, there are breaks in the camp itself. If I were FORCED to label myself (I prefer not to) but if I had to, I am a left libertarian as opposed to a right one. Which means that I agree with a lot of liberal positions as dreadful as that makes me feel. Without getting into the nuances of why, a few things I agree with liberals on (but not often for the same reasons) are: I am pro choice; I am against the war on drugs, which is a disgrace, I am against the war, I am against sanctimonious bible thumpers dispensing morality and telling people what they can do in their bedrooms, I am against the religious right trying to shove anti-scientific principles into science classrooms (passing religion off as science), and so on. But the biggest problem with liberals is although they like social freedoms, they don't understand the market and therefore are against economic freedom. They want to use state/government force to determine what economic freedom people can have. They think they have the right to the fruits of other people's labor. They don't. @Michael. Right that's what they do. And that's why they are destructive to society. This isn't the Federal highway system. This is local pork. Plain and simple. Just understand the ramifications of it, economically and morally. And don't complain about things that are the logical equivalent, like Wall Street bail outs via my example of what the Federal Reserve is doing right now to savers and those trying to live on fixed income. Just understand that government does not produce wealth. If we get some pork, it's coming from wealth being generated in the private sector from somewhere that is being diverted to us locally. And it does not make society overall better off. If you are OK with this, then so be it. I am not, from an economic nor moral point of view. It's theft, plain and simple.
Ray D. Aider
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 11:15 p.m.
Afghanistan, Haiti, New Orleans? Classic straw man argument in this moment.
Nephilim
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 11:13 p.m.
That cold war military machine and military still standing is the only thing that gave and gives you the ability to make your statements on here. If not, spreken zie deutsch????
johnnya2
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 11:07 p.m.
@ Dan H Oh you mena kind of like states in the south giving up things to lure manufacturing out of Michigan? It isn't good for America, but it works well for them. That is called the way of the world. By the way, where doees the money that these so-called small businesses come from? Oh thats right, they came from other people all throughout the world. If a person in Georgia buys a Ford product, tell me does that help Michigan? Basic economic money theory is that money flows through the system. As a nation some areas get money to help with specific projects. The fact is the so-called anti washington states tend to get more than their share. Tell me how many of those people who hated the bail out refused its beenfits? How many who got stimulus funds said, thanks but no thanks? When Sarah Palin and the tea baggers stop taking from society, they can comment. How many military bases take money from Michigan to help support their 1950's cold war military machine?
Nephilim
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 11:05 p.m.
Jake, You suffering pretty bad over the stadium bridge? I can totally understand how you can relate your city bridge to new Orleans and Haiti. Yes, we are humanitarians and we need to stop the suffering in Ann arbor due to the dilapidated bridge. Please send money now..........
Michael O
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 10:57 p.m.
Oh for heaven sake-that's what a congressman/woman does...bring funds into their district.That's the way it goes,and if you folks admonish or demean that,well...I don't suppose you really have a grasp on the political system.Really? Funding much needed local roadways and public transportation is pork? Really?
Jake C
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 10:53 p.m.
@Nephilim "Why should I have to pay for Ann arbors failing bridge?" Why should I have to pay for Afghanistan's failing government? Why should I have to pay for Haiti's failing non-hurricane-proof buildings? Why should I have to pay for New Orleans failing levees? Maybe because we're human beings who care for the suffering of others, and realize that a simple investment in infrastructure can pay back many times over in the long run? @ Dan H "A modern day libertarian, which I am, used to be called by the term liberalism back in the day. Define your terms." How old are you? What do you consider "back in the day"? Was it a Wednesday? How about we start with the dictionary? "Liberal: favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs." Pretty significant difference from Libertarian: " person who maintains the doctrine of free will." Yes, political terms have changed over the years. But typically it's people who change their positions, not the political labels. "Liberals" have generally preferred strong government social programs that help the working- & lower-class over policies that favor the wealthy. Conservatives prefer policies that keep things the same and avoid change, again by definition. And Libertarians prefer polices that promote maximum personal freedoms. There is lots of room for overlap between these views (see Liberals & Libertarians agreements when it comes to drug use, and foreign wars, and so on). "Hope that makes you feel better." Nothing makes me feel really good right now in terms of the election. All I see is 2 years of total gridlock, and I don't think that's going to do much good at all. I can also see how 2 years from now the economy will do some recovering on its own, and the Republicans in power (not the Libertarians or Tea Party) will claim credit for turning things around even though they did practically nothing. Maybe some people will enjoy that, but I don't.
David Briegel
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 10:37 p.m.
Jake, You see, Republican, Bridge To Nowhere pork is good. Only Dem pork is evil! Stefanie, they don't run by county. Are there no running totals? What about the other races. Is there an update link?
Dan H
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 10:33 p.m.
Jake, Define your terms. One of the current problems nowadays is how loosely people through around terms and labels, making them lose their value. Liberals, modern day democrats, hijacked that term. A modern day libertarian, which I am, used to be called by the term liberalism back in the day. Then, slowly, over time, liberals confiscated the term and so libertarians had to distinguish themselves lest people become confused. True conservatives are not republicans. If someone is for pork or would criticize Dingell for not bringing pork projects here, then they are by definition not a conservative. They might be a republican, and I accept that. I am not a fan of most republicans. Today, when I voted for Rick, it was the first time in my life I ever voted for a Republican. And the only reason I did it is I suspect Rick is a closet libertarian-leaning person who shrewdly saw he had to run under the Republican label to make any headway because the American masses have unfortunately been brainwashed into thinking of our country as a two party system. I yearn for a day when this can change. In short, most Republicans are as off-putting to me as liberals. So, again, I submit that any so called conservative who would blast Dingell for not bringing pork to MI is not a conservative by definition. A Republican, perhaps, I'll grant you that. And in any event, yes, one man's pork is another man's local jobs. Just accept the fact that someone else (pick a place) is NOT getting a job because we're getting that pork. Someone (a lot of someone's) are scrimping and living a hard life because they are getting no interest on their money because the Fed has kept interest rates at effectively zero. All this does is steal from savers and transfers wealth to Wall Street who then get to lend money back to the Treasury and make a huge, guaranteed return on the spread. That money is being stolen from us and being paid out in bonuses (and jobs) on Wall Street. It's wrong and it's immoral. But if I want to use your argument I could say, well, too bad for the savers and those living on fixed income. One man's low money market interest is another Wall Streeter's job security. Hope that makes you feel better. Speaking for myself, it sends my blood pressure up several notches.
Nephilim
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 10:32 p.m.
Why should I have to pay for Ann arbors failing bridge? That sounds like a local infrastructure problem not everybody elses problem. So why does everyone have to pay for it? Pay for your own dang bridge! Dingell, for goodness sakes retire!!!!
Jake C
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 10:21 p.m.
@Dan H: And as the last conversation about the local infrastructure projects proved, if Dingell *hadn't* brought the projects to Michigan, he would have been blasted by conservatives for not doing his job to represent the people of Michigan. And if he does bring needed projects to our area, he's blasted by conservatives for unnecessary government pork. I guess you can't win unless you just cut all taxes to zero, at which point we just let our bridges and roads deterioriate unless we pay for it on layaway first, or maybe put the charges on a pre-paid Visa. Sorry, one man's pork is another man's Local Jobs.
Pika
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 10:17 p.m.
Dingel will win. He doesn't need Monroe county. When the Ann Arbor vote comes in completely, Dingel will win.
Dan H
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 10:04 p.m.
Micheal, That's called pork. And to edify you on some basic economics: that money has to come from somewhere. So if we got it from the Federal Government that means people elsewhere didn't. Which means all we're doing is prospering at their expense. That is not a net benefit to society just like shoveling money to bail out Wall Street made them better off but everyone else worse off who had to pay for it thru taxes or inflation. Pork may be part of the political game, but it: 1) does NOT generate prosperity overall (in fact, hinders it) and 2) is immoral. So if you like what Dingell did, then don't complain about Wall Street.
Michael O
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 9:57 p.m.
Congressman Dingell has served this area for over 55 years,and fought and brought funds to this area.The stadium bridges will be replaced and the downtown bus terminal will be significantly upgraded.New folks in congress can't get a chicken-coop built.Thank you Mr.Dingell.
Somewhat Concerned
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 9:48 p.m.
Dingell Supporter: you're probably right, but we can enjoy our glimmer of hope for a few hours. He was a great man to represent us in the 1950s and 60s. He is just lost regarding what's happening now. But, I fear that you are right and that he will be re-elected.
Jake C
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 9:47 p.m.
Latest DetNews.com results have the following: Dingell, John Dem 35,688 49% Steele, Rob GOP 34,791 48% with 143 of 368 Precincts Reporting - 39%
Dan H
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 9:46 p.m.
DIngell hasn't served anyone well except his special interest. His constituents are people who don't understand economics and what generates prosperity. I have written Dingell several times on several issues over the years and always get a form letter about how the government needs to step in and protect me from myself and other obnoxious nonsense. Dingell may be the winner in the morning. But a rational human being can dream.
DingellSupporter
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 9:41 p.m.
A poor example of journalism. The above article states the conclusion is based on 29 precincts out of 398 reporting then goes on to say 40 out of 70 precincts in Monroe County are counted, and 34 out of 176 in Washtenaw. Last time I checked 29 + 40 = 69, not 29? Nothing is mentioned about Wayne County, John Dingell's strong-hold. Have to say it folks, but all of you who are hoping for a Dingell defeat will be disappointed in the morning.
downtownblue
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 9:37 p.m.
What's wrong with a career politician who's served the region so well? The 15th has been lucky to have someone who's actually done a lot for his constituents and with clout. If he loses, we're losing a true asset.
Somewhat Concerned
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 9:20 p.m.
This would be too good to be true. Who would have dreamed we could retire Dingell? Perhaps there is hope for bringing Michigan into the 21st century.
Hans Masing
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 9:18 p.m.
@Dan H - as long as we can then thwart the inevitable run by Debbie Dingell...
Dan H
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 9:08 p.m.
Wow, I thought Dingell had the lock for sure. It would be great to see this career politician get the boot.
AlphaAlpha
Tue, Nov 2, 2010 : 9:05 p.m.
against all odds?