Posted on Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 1:19 p.m.
John Dingell says he'll run for a 30th term in the U.S. House in 2012
By Cindy Heflin
Dingell, 84, D-Dearborn, represents the Ann Arbor area in Congress. "I can help people and … make things better," he told The News.
Dingell defeated Ann Arbor-area cardiologist Rob Steele to win a 29th term in the house last November.
Comments
Michael Christie
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.
Sounds like Dingell is doing this for something other than working for the people. Do you really think he has the same energy or is still connected to what the people of this state need? He and Joe Pa should go bowling...
jcj
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
Great news! It will be much more enjoyable seeing him lose as opposed to retiring!
tneal
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 1:21 p.m.
Enough already...Out with the old and in with the new. Things will never change if we do not allow others to hold these positions. TERM limits for ALL
David Briegel
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 9:49 p.m.
We don't "allow" anyone anything. We vote. And vote we did. Sorry you don't like Democracy!
Hot Sam
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 1:13 p.m.
Will someone please tell Mr Dingell his grand-kids need him home....
GoblueBeatOSU
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 11:03 a.m.
" "I can help people and … make things better,"".....If Dingell can help people as he claims why hasn't he helped people already? Dingell was in Washington long before the downturn in the economy. If Dingell is so great why didn't he do something to help reduce the downturn? Fact is Dingell has been in Washington for so long he has to accept some blame for the problems in this country......it is long past time for Dingell to pack his bags and leave Washington....
Terrin
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 3:47 a.m.
I wouldn't have voted this time. I voted strictly to help make sure the egotistically Dr. Rob Steele wouldn't get elected. At least Dingell speaks up for the little guy. Steele had no plan.
David Briegel
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.
So True. More tax cuts for billionaires. For Jesus!
M-Fan
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 3:03 a.m.
Lyn Rivers yes, Debbie Dingle NO WAY!
JimB
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 2:02 a.m.
One benefit of Dingell's long tenure is that he is on most of the important committees. This could be good for the state going forward.
BobR
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 1:47 a.m.
John Dingell has represented his District well over the years. He's a bit more conservative than much of the district but overall his voting has been fine. But his age was a factor in a closer than usual race last time and it's time for Democrats to recruit a younger candidate. Maybe Lynn Rivers could run again or maybe Debbie Dingell.
sbbuilder
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 1:16 a.m.
Could someone who voted for Mr Dingell, and who plans on voting for him again, please tell me why? If you were to remove the D after his name, and only look at his ability to represent his constituents, I am left wondering why anyone would vote for him. The eleventh hour shenanigans last time around left a very bad taste in my mouth. Single biggest reason I would never, ever, vote for Mr Dingell: His sponsorship of universal health care.
David Briegel
Sun, Jan 23, 2011 : 9:47 p.m.
I agree with Terrin. His support for universal health care is precisely why. If the Repubs and their physician candidates ever came up with any plan whatsoever, I might consider them serious. Until then YOU are out of luck!!
Terrin
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 4:10 a.m.
Sure, Dingell consistently has voted for Blue Collar workers, which account for 90 percent of the US. This stands in contrast to the Republican agenda, which stands for further enriching the wealthy, making it harder for the rest of us to have a shot at the american dream. Rob Steele's whole platform was don't vote for Dingell because he is old. He offered no actual plan. Dingell has backed the big three over the years, which was necessary to keep people employed here in Michigan. This in turn feeds the local economy because without the automotive industry in Michigan every other industry suffers. Further, I'd rather have universal health care then no health care, which is a fact for most americans. Cuba has a better health care system then the US for the soul reason it is available to everyone. Every Western Country has a universal system (e.g. England, France, Sweden). In order for people to pursue life, liberty, and happiness, they can't live under fear of being burdened by the crippling and unnecessary cost of health care. Blue Cross is actually being accused of by the Federal Government of agreeing to pay higher reimbursements to the hospitals just as long as hospitals charged its competitors the same price knowing the competitors can't afford those prices. So, we the insured get to pay that cost. Moreover, people who are against universal health care generally are hypocrites because they don't have a problem with the universal provided public roads, schools, or other amazing things made possible because of tax dollars. I am not super happy with democrats either because they went along with the republicans on free trade, which isn't free at all. It essentially sent millions of jobs to China, which from China's new found wealth, China is being generous enough to loan our government 500 billion dollars to pay for the tax break for the wealthy.
Lifelong A2
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 12:36 a.m.
The tone of these comments -- criticizing liberals, attacking government, etc. -- demonstrates, sadly, that the bloggers on AA.com are disproportionately conservative compared to Ann Arbor voters at-large. A majority of 15th District voters obviously remain overwhelmingly pleased with Congressman Dingell. After all, Dingell, won 57% of the vote in a landslide Republican year. Those who complain about Dingell being ineffective have failed to cite any facts. Dingell has delivered millions in research money to UM which has created jobs... he delivered the Stadium Bridge money (a $14m grant, which is different than an earmark)... money for environmental clean-ups... vital student loan funds to our local college students... just to name a few items.
Teri
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 12:17 a.m.
With all due respect....it's time for him to retire! What is he possibly going to accomplish at this point? Michigan needs new and fresh ideas! Mr. Dingell....it's time to go home!
DagnyJ
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 11:37 p.m.
Someone needs to explain to Dingell that the Dems need to run someone new.
TripleVSix
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 10:53 p.m.
This is truly depressing. Ann Arborites would vote for a pile of wet sawdust if it had a (D) after it.
Huron74
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 10:59 p.m.
That's what I was thinking too.
YpsiBronc
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
Rep. Dingell realized that he would need more time to deliver the rail and bridge earmarks he promised before the last election.
a2spart
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 10:31 p.m.
What?? Is this really news? Of course he's running for a 30th time. What else would we expect a career politician to do two weeks after being sworn in for the 29th time??? Tell us he's running for a 30th time. He's only doing what politicians do... Stock their war-chest and RUN FOR OFFICE. Do they do anything else???
stunhsif
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 4:29 a.m.
I'd like to be one of his kids, pass on his millions of bucks to me, earned by being a "cronyism" specialist !
Top Cat
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 9:46 p.m.
Mr. Dingell will likely survive the re-districting process and continue to ineffectively represent Ann Arbor for as long as he wants. We reap what we sow.
Jen Eyer
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.
Several off-topic comments were removed.
jondhall
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
This is news? This is depressing to say the least. I mean really give me a break, this liberal has to go.
Bertha Venation
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
Hope he makes it. He's older than my Aunt Petunia.
InsideTheHall
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 8:56 p.m.
Run Doc Run! Hopefully Dr. Rob Steele will announce he is running tomorrow. Dingell MUST go!
katie
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 8:52 p.m.
I appreciate Dingell. For one thing, he voted against renewing the PATRIOT act which Obama wanted renewed. He was in a small minority, I believe, who cared about preserving our freedom. I don't agree with everything he does. I don't agree with any politician all the time. I will not vote for Obama next time if there's a good third party candidate running. But I will vote for Dingell.
grye
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
Time for Dingell to go. We need a representative that will help to control government spending, not increase it.
graceekerr
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 8:45 p.m.
If he wants to help he would not run, he's not what we need
Peter
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 8:12 p.m.
I'm very saddened about this article because Dingell doesn't understand what the people of our state want. He solely wants to promote his expensive political agendas despite our states budget problems. I hope the best for the guy in his old age, but seriously retire already...
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Fri, Jan 21, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
But he apparently understands what 61% of his district want, and that is who he represents--not the entire state. Good Night and Good Luck
rusty shackelford
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
He's never been hired to represent the whole state, just his district--which is much more prosperous and economically productive than most of the rest of the state. And given his track record of 29 landslide victories, I'd say he has a pretty good idea what the people of his district want.
treetowncartel
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 7:28 p.m.
It will be interesting to see what his district looks like next time around.
John B.
Thu, Jan 20, 2011 : 8:36 p.m.
Agreed. I'm not sure he will be able to pull it off in 2012, but it will depend on his opponent also, I suppose.