Politics

Debbie Dingell Might Have More Clout Outside Of Congress Than In It

November 24, 2014, 7:00 AM

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In The New York Times, Sheryl Gay Stolberg recounts for the nation the arrival in the House of Representatives of Debbie Dingell, the well known political VIP and wife of U.S. Rep. John Dingell -- "the Dean of Congress" -- whose seat she is assuming.

As Mrs. Dingell prepares for life as a freshman in a shrunken Democratic minority, Mrs. Dingell, 60, is also facing a reality she calls “bittersweet.” Just as her own career takes off, her 88-year-old husband, once one of the most powerful men in Washington, is leaving office because of his declining health.

Debbie Dingell in Washington and in Michigan has carved out a profile as a society A-lister with a penchant for arranging things — “a convener” in the words of Anita Dunn, a Democratic strategist, Stolberg writes.

But here in Washington, Mrs. Dingell may find that she had more clout outside Congress than in it. For one, she has been at odds with another powerful woman: Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader.

In 2002, when Mr. Dingell faced a primary challenge, Ms. Pelosi sided with his opponent. Mrs. Dingell, furious, ran her husband’s strategists ragged during that tense race. “For her it was a very, very deeply personal campaign,” said Ms. Dunn, a longtime Dingell adviser. “She did not want her husband to lose, and she was not going to allow it.”

Then, in 2008, Ms. Pelosi sided with Rep. Henry A. Waxman, the California Democrat, when Mr. Waxman challenged Mr. Dingell for his chairmanship — and won. Mrs. Dingell recalls it as “a difficult time,” but insists that she and the leader are “very civil” and have no issues.

Others are not so certain.

“I think it would be foolish to say she is coming in with a clean slate; she realizes that Nancy has not been supportive of John in the past,” said Mr. Hoyer, who is close to both Dingells. But, he added, “Nancy’s very operational; my judgment is that Nancy respects Debbie’s ability.”


Read more:  The New York Times


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