Hot Sam

Mon, Feb 22, 2010 : 4:05 p.m.

"""At 83 years old, he should be bouncing his grandkids on his knee! """ His grandkids are too old to fit on his knee....

uawisok

Mon, Feb 22, 2010 : 10:44 a.m.

As long as the average electorate knows more about "american idol" or some other usless trivia, than they do of the people and issues they are putting in office our future will remain bleak.

susan

Mon, Feb 22, 2010 : 8:09 a.m.

Please, will someone please stand up to this guy and put him out of his misery! At 83 years old, he should be bouncing his grandkids on his knee! The voters will decide but for those of us who want to vote for a Democrat, we need a candidate. How about Conan Smith? I agree with Moose, Dingell should have been nurturing younger candidates to take his place. What an ego!!

Snarf Oscar Boondoggle

Mon, Feb 22, 2010 : 3:48 a.m.

i will not, ever, condemn a legislator due to age. i will, however, condem ANY/EVERY legislator who self-eggrandizes him/herslef (or enriches her/himself) on the backs of the electorate. dingell is part and parcel of the self-aggrandizing, enriching class and needs to be taken out of his position of favoritism. on balance, dingell's history has been detrimental to america, the country.

Hot Sam

Sun, Feb 21, 2010 : 8:26 p.m.

"""Oh the haters are here in force.""" I haven't read any hate here... In fact, encouraging a long overdue retirement would seem to me to be rather compassionate...

David Briegel

Sun, Feb 21, 2010 : 7:41 p.m.

By the way. It was great to listen to Colin Powell. What a great public servant, leader and man! It was refreshing to know that there is at least one sane, rational Republican. What a contrast to the Sen from Ky and the Ohio boy with the perpetual fake tan! He was very insightful in his analysis of the paralysis brought about by the party of NO. He is embarassed by both parties, including his own, and the state of our political (lack of) leadership!

David Briegel

Sun, Feb 21, 2010 : 7:29 p.m.

Oh the haters are here in force. As we stand in the ruins of every myth and lie Ronnie Reagan and the Bush's said would make us succesful, they blame the Dems. Clinton was made great by Gingrich and Reagan was great but not Tip O'Neil. They both worked together!! TOGETHER! Get it? You talk about Fannie and Freddie but they weren't the ones who bundled and packaged and sliced and diced the paper until it was worthless, then had their "rating agency" bless it for resale to the suckers who bankrupted their banks. You felt so sorry for them that you kept quiet while Hank Paulsen looted the treasury and you never said a word. And you blessed the bankers bonuses! Now you toss around words like Communist, Socialist, Neo-Marxist as if you knew what they meant. No Communist, Socialist or Neo-Marxist would ever call Obama or any other Dem such a name. Doing so only shows the name caller to be uninformed. In one breath he is in the pockets of big business and the next he is too liberal? You guys sure like to have things both ways! John Dingell wins elections because he represents the wishes of the people. That's how and why he wins election.

Bob

Sun, Feb 21, 2010 : 5:34 p.m.

Why should he retire when he keeps getting re-elected? I wonder how many of anti-Dingell voices on this page will be too busy blogging to vote?

shepard145

Sun, Feb 21, 2010 : 4:07 p.m.

Senator Dingell was blackballed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee chair by his own party. Mr. Dingell believes that with the right set of punitive, job killing, economy killing taxes and fees, American Taxpayers can control global weather. He is an Al Gore style global warming kool aid drinker who has failed to rationally consider the scientific fraud taking place and gladly reached for the massive government power grab for control of the daily lives of Americans he claims to represent. Unlike other senators who demanded exceptions from a crippling government take-over of health care in the United States, our Senator Dingell rubber stamped every crazy piece of democrat party legislation that came his way regardless of it's crushing impact on our state. For these and numerous other reasons too many to recount here, it's time for Senator Dingell to MOVE ON!

MjC

Sun, Feb 21, 2010 : 3:05 p.m.

At some point in everyone's life it's time to retire. Dingell may think that Michigan needs his experience, but look at the mess we're in. It's not that I don't appreciate all he's done, but it's been a long time since he's done anything that's made a real difference. Michigan needs new new ideas, new energy, and a new generation of leaders. This announcement does not bring me any feeling of relief.

Mr. DB

Sun, Feb 21, 2010 : 12:17 p.m.

Its about time Dingell leaves; we need some fresh, vibrant, and more connected to young people. It is not news that MI is suffering from the brain drain, and he is not exactly doing anything to stop it.

Jenna Thom

Sun, Feb 21, 2010 : 11:04 a.m.

Mr. Dingell is a great congressman. The problem with congress currently is that it is full of a bunch of stubborn people who say "my way or no way". Congressman Dingell may be old school but it was the "old school" type of democrat who got things done. We need more congressmen like him, not fewer, if our government is to ever accomplish anything in the future.

spm

Sun, Feb 21, 2010 : 8:02 a.m.

Mr. Dingell, I think it's time for you to retire. Voters, I think it's time for us to vote him into retirement.

Hornet

Sun, Feb 21, 2010 : 12:24 a.m.

For crying out loud, what has this guy done in 50 years in office? I'll echo the many comments here, let's vote this guy out and elect someone who will represent the PEOPLE instead of himself and the special interests like the UAW, etc.

Dan Stevens

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 6:38 p.m.

There's so much that our elected leadership at the STATE level can do to improve the jobs situation. One thing our state can do is consolidate its operations and reduce the costs of government, which will allow Michigan to reduce its business taxes, thus providing an incentive for employers to locate here and hire our workers. See the plan Business Leaders for Michigan has put together at www.michiganturnaroundplan.com.

David Canter

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 6:24 p.m.

I am sorry and do not mean to be rude but mr Dingle must have forgotten what he has done for the state of Michigan lately. I think its time Mr dingle and all the old timers think about getting out before they are voted out and face embaressment. The people of Michigan will no longer vote for those with familiar names and those who show promis will be elected. Too many promises from Dingle and the likes of him from both parties better wake up.

Hot Sam

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 4:52 p.m.

"""Great news. I'm thrilled that John Dingell is running again. We need strong Democrats like him in Congress.""" Indeed...look where it's gotten us now!!!

Ypsilanti- Oh Yes!

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 4:18 p.m.

GOOD-I've posted on him before and I know most people that comment here don't like the Dingell type of folks but he's a great Congressman. Just talk to him at an event or read up a bit and you'll find that he's exactly the type of person who SHOULD be in Congress. Keep at it John... ignore the haters.

Hot Sam

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 4:16 p.m.

We need experienced people, not experienced politicians...

eclectablog

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 3:33 p.m.

Great news. I'm thrilled that John Dingell is running again. We need strong Democrats like him in Congress. My write-up of the College Dems' Pancake Breakfast with lots of photos can be found at http://www.eclectablog.com/2010/02/rep-john-dingell-announces-he-will-run.html

belboz

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 3:18 p.m.

Experienced leaders? If he was so great and experienced, what has he done to avoid the economic dissaster Michigan faces. He is a relic, and has no idea how to maintain a strong economy. If he did, then he is unable to execute his plan - which is equally pathetic. So, either way you look at it - Dingell needs to be replaced.

RTFM

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 1:59 p.m.

Great! He'll keep on failing Michigan one vote at a time with his lack of thought on the impact on the citizens of Michigan.

Carl Duncan

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 1:58 p.m.

I'd rather have a congressman who would pass laws limiting federal government 'from ever again engaging in risky, greedy behavior that sent our nation into an economic tailspin.' Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Community Reinvestment Act are prime movers behind lending money for subprime mortgages. Regardless, senator Robert Byrd, and congressman Dingell will no doubt be items on capitol hill.

Shirley Zempel

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 1:47 p.m.

I agree, it's time for John Dingell to retire. I will never vote for any of the cabal that messed up our presidential primary in 2008.

Mick52

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 1:43 p.m.

Sorry about previous post, an accidental discharge of the Submit button: Interesting that the majority of comments are urging the end to Rep Dingell's tenure in Congress. I agree. One item I would like to bring up. In early 2008 Mr Dingell gave a speech in A2 where he promoted a $.50 increase in gasoline tax. I was glad no one took his idea seriously. Just a few months later, gasoline reached $4/gal. He is a tax happy democrat. It is noteworthy as mentioned above, that he lost his chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Even his party does not support him completely. We should all be very unhappy about the performance of most of our federal reps. An article appeared in AA.com a few day ago, related that A2 received no fed funding for the Stadium bridge project. A local twp rep from Northfield Twp told me that NF Twp also was refused $ for a bridge issue. He added that Michigan received barely any funding for road/bridge projects. Why is it that with a Dem admin in DC, Dem Gov, Senators, and many Dem reps, MI gets little of this "stimulus" funding? Yet our reps fall in step behind Pres Obama, in support of his very questionable programs. One would think that a state that supported this Pres in '08, with so much Dem representation, and at the bottom in terms of economic collapse, that we would get much attention from the Feds. I think those who voted democrat have received little for there effort. It looks like MI voted republican in '08. Its time for him to be replaced in Congress.

townie

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 12:50 p.m.

Dingell unequivocally supported Leigh Greden in the last Council election even after the email scandal revealed Greden's contempt for fellow Councilmembers, constituents, ethics, and the law. I will not support Dingell for this primary reason. There are other reasons, too, but this was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. And EMU won't be getting a check from me this year either. What ever happened to integrity as an important value in this world?

John Galt

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.

"Congressman for Life" Dingell needs to be put out to pasture. We need fresh thinking in DC. Unfortunately, the population will automatically re-elect because of the "D" next to the name. We deserve the government we have.

Sarcastic1

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 11:56 a.m.

Please retire. We obviously need new ideas.

SonnyDog09

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 11:53 a.m.

"Now more than any other time I have seen, there is a need for relentless and dogged questioning from Congress, and as your watchdog, that is exactly what I am doing," his statement said. Dingell is not a watchdog...more of a lapdog, actually. Those of us who have old dogs know that they spend most of their days sleeping. They may have barked when they were younger, but they are not as likely to do so when they reach a certain age.

Tom Joad

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.

Mr. Dingell is emblematic of the entire Congress. They enjoy sinecure positions that effectively do nothing to solve the most intractable problems. Michigan is effectively a dead state and the rest of the country is moribund with the Bush/Obama economic debacle. Congress and Mr. President is in the pockets of big business who push their limited and self-interested agenda to the detriment of the middle class and American unskilled labor.

YpsiLivin

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.

Dingell has been largely decapitated in the House and isn't in a position to do anything good for this area. His "friends" in Congress have sent a message by taking away his committee chairmanship. There comes a point when you simply get in the way and John Dingell is beyond that point. Please, let's give John Dingell the retirement he deserves.

maallen

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 11 a.m.

Well, I guess this is our chance to make sure he goes off into retirement!

stunhsif

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.

Dingelll needs to retire, he has done nothing but help destroy the State of Michigan over the past 50 years. I hope he get's the nod from the democrat party because he will most certainly lose this next go around.

InsideTheHall

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.

I'm sorry John. It is time to step aside and bring in flesh blood that is not beholden to the UAW, AFSMCE, and NEA. We have tried your way for 50 years and it has failed.

sbbuilder

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 10:47 a.m.

Given the current status of our economy, Michigan needs experienced leaders in Washington to stand up for our families and help dig the state out of this economic depression, Dingell said in the statement. Now is not the time to walk away. I have the experience and determination to make sure we are doing what we have to do to create jobs and get this economy back on its feet. Sorry, I must be in the dark here. Could any one enlighten me as to what this man has done for Michigan for the last four years? It's nice to mention those evil bankers, but I'm not sure what that has to do with Michigan. I'm gonna watch the race between GM (run by our gov.) and Ford.

Grumpy

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 10:27 a.m.

I thought the idea for aa.com was supposed to be "hyperlocal" only covering news that occured within the county. I heard about this event this morning on WDIV when they said they had cameras at Arbor Brewing Company. If this was a big enough event for Detroit news, I'm surprised there wasn't a previous article in the local paper. Even this write up doesn't mention anything about the event. Local residents may have been interested in attending.

Moose

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 : 10:11 a.m.

Some people just don't know when to leave. Dingell should have devoted more time to find and nurture younger candidates who represent the future of the Democratic party. Instead he's worn out his welcome.