![[Iowa map]](http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2005/12/05/GR2005120501681.gif)
Pelosi, Dingell Families Unite on Global Warming
Sometimes on Capitol Hill there are personal feuds, other times there are policy disputes. Once in a while, there are personal feuds connected to big policy disputes among the major players of an individual party's caucus -- and that's when you need to pull out all the stops to prevent a civil war.
And so goes the feud between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), the chairman of the all powerful Energy and Commerce Committee.
With the ongoing soap opera of the proposed House special committee on global warming as a backdrop, the Democratic National Committee will take up a resolution staking out a party platform pushing for energy independence at its annual winter meeting later this week here in the nation's capital.
But it's not what this resolution says that is important, rather, who's offering it: Debbie Dingell and Christine Pelosi. In addition to being committee members of the DNC, Christine Pelosi is the daughter of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Debbie Dingell is the wife of Chairman John Dingell. The two lawmakers have been at loggerheads over the speaker's proposal to start the special global warming committee, which would hold hearings and be designed to kick start committee chairmen, particularly Dingell, into tackling global warming legislation during the 110th Congress.
In addition to a long-running personal feud rooted in intra-caucus politics, Pelosi has misgivings about leaving the increasingly important issue of global warming to Dingell, who ideologically has aligned himself with his home-state interests in the auto industry and resisted any efforts at reining in auto emissions.
Now, Debbie Dingell and Christine Pelosi, a former House Democratic staffer, are leading the effort to bring the two sides back from the brink of full-blown battle on the House floor over the special committee. And DNC Chairman Howard Dean is pitching in as well.
"Friends: we are pleased to report that support is growing for the DNC energy independence resolution," a DNC email said Monday, which was given to Capitol Briefing. (Read the full resolution at the end of this post.)
Dean, Debbie Dingell and Christine Pelosi are offering the resolution together and party strategists on and off Capitol Hill are interpreting it as the latest effort at détente. Last week, Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Dingell staged a photo opportunity together while looking at hybrid vehicles at the Washington Auto Show at the behest of Debbie Dingell, whose main job is working in the Ford Motor Co.'s General Motors' Washington office.
The resolution was sparked by Christine Pelosi, according to a Democratic strategist familiar with the situation. A few other key figures have since signed on, including Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.), who serves as a vice-chairman of the DNC, and Terry Lierman, chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party and one of Dean's first supporters during his 2004 presidential campaign.
So, do all these staged photo ops and DNC resolutions pushed by the Pelosi-Dingell-Dean family signal that the feud is over, the campfire is lit and everyone's going to sing kumbaya as Democrats prepare to take on global warming and the auto industry?
Not so fast.
As Al Kamen reported in Monday's "In the Loop" column, Dingell is still reserving all his options depending on how negotiations proceed in the coming weeks on the special committee.
And a quick read of the DNC resolution reveals lots of pledges to finding alternative energy sources but doesn't say a word about the auto industry. That touchy topic was left out.
"The Democratic National Committee supports Democratic elected officials in Congress and in states and local communities across the country who are working toward energy independence, security and diversity as well as a safe, clean environment," the proposed resolution currently concludes.
**************************************************
The Full DNC proposed resolution:
> Friends: we are pleased to report that support is
> growing for the DNC Energy Independence Resolution
> submitted by Chairman Howard Dean (VT), Debbie
> Dingell (MI), and Christine Pelosi (CA). We
> appreciate the support expressed by many of you,
> particularly our new co-sponsors: Hon. Mike Honda,
> DNC Vice Chair (CA), Rachel Binah (CA), Mary Ellen
> Early (CA), Jenny Greenleaf (OR), Terry Lierman
> (MD), Mona Pasquil (CA), Bob "Big Red" Rankin (CA),
> Mannie Rodriquez (CO), and Taling M. Taitano (Guam).
> Please reply to this email if you wish to add your
> name.
>
>
> The following resolution will be considered by the
> DNC Resolutions Committee at its meeting on February
> 1, 2007, in conjunction with the meetings of the
> Democratic National Committee, February 1-3, 2007.
>
> Submitted by:
> Gov. Howard Dean, DNC Chair/Vermont
> Debbie Dingell, Michigan
> Christine Pelosi, California
>
>
> Resolution Supporting Energy Independence and a
> Clean, Healthy Environment
>
> WHEREAS, Democrats strongly support measures that
> promote energy security and a safe, clean
> environment by reducing our dependence on oil,
> eliminating billions in tax breaks for big oil
> companies, and increasing research and development
> into clean renewable energy and efficiency
> technologies; and
>
> WHEREAS, energy independence can be achieved by
> innovation, diversifying energy sources, creating
> energy efficient products, and promoting
> conservation measures; and
>
> WHEREAS, energy independence will create a new
> energy industry that creates jobs and stimulates
> economic growth;
>
> WHEREAS, America must have a 21st century
> transportation system and infrastructure, which
> includes investments in mass transit, alternative
> energy technology, and protection of America's
> critical infrastructure; and
>
> WHEREAS, President Bush and Republicans in
> Congress have saddled Americans with record gas
> prices, dependence on oil and an energy policy
> written by and for big oil;
>
> THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic
> National Committee supports Democratic elected
> officials in Congress and in states and local
> communities across the country who are working
> toward energy independence, security and diversity
> as well as a safe, clean environment.
By Paul Kane |
January 30, 2007; 11:34 AM ET
Dem. Leaders
Previous: '08 Candidates Make Global Warming Pitches |
Next: Wasting Away Again ... in Moneyville
Posted by: Long Beach, CA | January 30, 2007 1:08 PM
Nancy Pelosi is right to be worried. Anyone beholden to the auto industry is likely to be saddled with the same blinders that made them resist common sense things like seat belts, air bags and higher CAFE standards. Certainly the negative impacts of higher CAFE standards, as an example, would be much smaller than those they are currently experiencing thanks to the foolishness of putting all their eggs in the SUV basket. They'll whine about competitiveness and preserving American jobs but they've conciously moved to eliminate American jobs.
In the resolution they seem to be focused Big Oil which is a very rich target. Interesting that mass transit makes it onto their list. The automotive companies/dealers consistently provide political support leading to the defeat of mass transit initiatives across the country.
Posted by: Judge C. Crater | January 30, 2007 1:14 PM
Have to agree with Long Beach although the battery technology for plug in hybrids is apparently not yet up to the job. Having said that, getting it there is hardly out of the question and Congress could certainly push them in that direction.
This makes pollution a point source problem that might be more manageable. At the same time it could dramatically reduce our oil dependence especially if nuclear makes a comeback.
Posted by: Judge C. Crater | January 30, 2007 1:29 PM
There are so many arguements that could and will be made on this, that I have little hope of anything of substance being accomplished. When you have giants competeing, the best we can hope for is a draw.
Posted by: lylepink | January 30, 2007 3:10 PM
Why is "warming" in quotes on the front page? That reminds me of the style guide at the Washington Times, where gay "marriage" is always in quotation marks.
Posted by: John Gorenfeld | January 30, 2007 4:23 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
BRING THEM TO HEEL!
The US auto industry IS the PROBLEM. The other dirty-dog to beat into submission is the electric utility industry.
Since Dingell has sold out to the polluters he is unqualified to lead any effort to change the situation. Pelosi is a sell out, already agreeing ot leave the auto industry alone.
AMERICANS WANT ELECTRIC CARS AND, HYBRID CARS THAT GET 100 MILES TO THE GALLON BASED UPON EXISTING TECHNOLOGY.
Detroit doesn't want that because it will slow profits and thus eliminate CEO and executive bonuses!
DUH!