Rep. John Dingell to seek 28th term in Congress

[ccharles000]

WASHINGTON -- John David Dingell Jr., at age 83 and having already set a record for longevity in the U.S. House of Representatives, is setting out for a 28th two-year term in Congress.

He made the announcement this morning before a group of University of Michigan student Democrats in Ann Arbor, saying he can't walk away at a time when the economy is still reeling, environmental protections are needed andhealth care reform legislation has come as far as it has.

"These are challenges this nation must confront," he said. "I think it is time for all hands on deck."

Dingell's future had been in question: After winning reelection for the 26th time in 2008, he was knocked out of his job as the Democratic chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee by California's Heny Waxman. And a year has gone by since he passed the late Jamie Whitten of Mississippi as the longest serving member of the U.S. House ever, with a congressional tenure stretching back to 1955.

He had knee replacement surgery in 2008 and is still seen traversing the Capitol on crutches, or on a motorized scooter. Meanwhile, his longstanding fight for health care reform appeared stymied between House and Senate, after coming closer to fruition than ever before.

http://freep.com/article/20100220/NEWS15/100220009/1319/Dingell-to-seek-reelection-28th-term-in-Congress

[ParkieDem]

1. With all due respect

It's long past time for Dingell to go.

First, he's long been a shill for the auto industry.

But second, and more importantly, he's just been there too long. I don't care how down to earth a person is, if they serve in Washington for more than 50 years, they're going to lose touch with their constituents. I've long been an advocate for term limits, and Dingell is the perfect example why.