Posted on Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 5:59 a.m.
Michigan Congressman John Dingell appears on Colbert Report
By AnnArbor.com Staff
The longest-serving Congressman in American history — as of this Friday — was a guest on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" on Monday.
U.S. Rep. John Dingell, who represents Ann Arbor among his southeast Michigan district, took office in 1955.
Host Stephen Colbert asked Dingell, a lifelong Democrat, about the biggest change he's seen in Washington over 57 years.
Dingell's response: "I think loss of collegiality."
Colbert replied: "What is collegiality?"
As they talk further about that, Dingell offers this opinion: "Compromise is an honorable word."
Here's a link to the broadcast.
Comments
The Picker
Wed, Jun 5, 2013 : 1:01 p.m.
What did he do for a living before he was in government ?
metrichead
Wed, Jun 5, 2013 : 3:35 a.m.
So far, not one single person has made a credible case as to why we need term limits. Is he corrupt? A criminal? In case you missed it, Michigan has had term limits, and our state legislature is far more dysfunctional than the US Congress. A lot of the state's problems can be traced back to term limits, and if I were allowed to change one thing in this state, it would be to undo that mistake.
The Picker
Wed, Jun 5, 2013 : 1:04 p.m.
Term limits or a union stranglehold on the political process. I suspect the latter!
Kai Petainen
Wed, Jun 5, 2013 : 3:09 a.m.
"longest-serving Congressman in American history " Regardless of how I may agree or disagree with his political policies, that is an incredible accomplishment and regardless of what side of the isle one stands on... his achievement at hitting that milestone should be congratulated. Quite amazing. My hearty congrats and best wishes Dingell. I may disagree with some policies, but I also believe in voicing congrats as well.
15crown00
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 11:27 p.m.
Listen to the old guy and BELIEVE what he says.
BhavanaJagat
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 5:12 p.m.
Whole Dude - Whole Truth: I am indeed happy to have John Dingell as the longest-serving Congressman in the history of the US Congress. I sincerely and warmly appreciate the initiatives of the US administration during the presidency of Dwight David Eisenhower( 34th president of the US, 1953-1961 ). Congressman Dingell is personally aware of the initiative to support the Tibetan Resistance Movement to counter the military threat posed by the Communist expansionism in Asia. President Truman had initiated the policy of using military force to contain the global threat of Communism and had created military alliances/pacts like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy( 35th president of the US, 1961-1963 ) continued the policy of President Eisenhower and formulated a multinational military alliance/pact between the US, India, and Tibet to counter the threat posed by the military occupation of Tibet since 1950. Congressman Dingell is aware of this military organization known as Special Frontier Force or Establishment Number 22. The US Congress had voted in the past to provide the necessary funds and to provide the necessary military assistance to maintain this organization. This military organization based in India still exists now because of the support and encouragement given by the people of the United States and the actions taken by their elected representatives like Dingell. While thanking Congressman Dingell for this continued support and encouragement since 1957, I want to respectfully remind him that the military mission of this Special Frontier Force is not accomplished. Its primary mission is that of evicting the military occupier from the Land of Tibet. I would ask Congressman Dingell to assert the truth in a transparent manner and contradict my statement if I am wrong. Sir, we have waited with utmost patience for too long. Take courage, and speak with a sense of conviction and demand action for Free Tibet.
BhavanaJagat
Wed, Jun 5, 2013 : 5:03 a.m.
I recall reading that William Howard Taft(1857-1930) was the 27th president of the US(1909-1913). People's Republic of China came into its existence after the Communist Revolution in 1949. The Nationalist or the Kuomintang Party lost the mainland China and fled to the former Portuguese colony known as Formosa where it established the Republic of China and is known as Taiwan. Kindly note that the United States is firmly opposed to Communist takeover of Taiwan. Unfortunately, Tibetans failed to accept American assistance and their undefended territory became a easy target of Communist expansion. Tibet has existed as an independent, sovereign nation prior to Communist China's occupation during 1950.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 11:26 p.m.
You forgot to mention his service during the Taft presidency.
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 4:35 p.m.
Ann Arbor had to go outside the recognized system to replace the State Street Bridge with a new and better one. Dingell was there, with a barrel of tax payers' money to fill that need. Every politician plays this "Benefactor Game" - Dingell distinguished himself in that capacity for many decades. Pork Barrel is still the favorite barrel of those in need. :-)
JGA2trueblue
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 4:30 p.m.
JUST for curiosity's sake I watched the first 2 minutes and went to clean my bathroom. It's disturbing when political positions are simply passed down in the family. The state of our state of Michigan is still a disaster. I thank Dingell, Conyers, Stabenow, Kilpatrick and Granholm for this service. Saying someone is a good person at heart, as in wouldn't hurt a fly, is admirable, BUT that doesn't mean they wouldn't hurt people for the sake of their own liberal, destructive, socialist ideology and pockets.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 11:25 p.m.
Let me guess, dsponini..... but all your anti-tea party rhetoric comes from a more enlightened and intellectual place, right?
dsponini
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 7:32 p.m.
Whenever I hear terms like "liberal agenda" and "socialist agenda", I know exactly where the rhetoric comes from. Just too bad uninformed ignorant folks eat that up like candy. That black guy is ruining America!! The right is so comical...
PattyinYpsi
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 5:49 p.m.
The notion that John Dingell is a socialist is absolutely hilarious! But I guess not much thought goes into name-calling.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 4:44 p.m.
Yeah. Because Republicans controlling the state legislature for most of the last 20 years have no culpability for the state's condition. Instead, let's blame three national legislators, a Democratic governor who had a gleefully uncooperative Republican legislature, and the Black Guy for the state's problems. Makes sense. GN&GL
AdmiralMoose
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 4:41 p.m.
No, Dingell's seat was *not* passed down. Voters have had 30 opportunities to vote him out of office. As for the rest of your namecalling... shouldn't you be listening to El Rushbo right now?
Great Lakes Lady
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 3:53 p.m.
U.S. Reps, nor Senators were intended to be jobs for life. There's something wrong with the systems that allows these seats to be handed from father to son to wife, etc.... He may be a "very nice man", and "sharp", but it was time....a long time ago....to move over and give another good person a shot at representing their constituencies.
ThinkingOne
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 5:26 p.m.
I believe at least one other person gets a chance every time there is an election for his position. I think they were intended to be jobs until you lose an election.
AdmiralMoose
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 4:26 p.m.
How absurd. Let someone else have a turn? This ain't a playground see-saw, Lady. He was chosen by his constituents whether you like it or not. When he retires or when his constituents tire of him someone else can have a turn.
Ken
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 2:37 p.m.
Lifetime meals at the public trough. No better reason than this for term limits. Founders never intended for this "cradle to grave employment," with perks and benefits you can only dream about.
AdmiralMoose
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 4:29 p.m.
It's not a lifetime meal at the public trough. It's a lifetime of service. And you have the chance to limit his term every two years. It just sucks to be out-voted, right Ken?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 3:16 p.m.
"Founders never intended for this "cradle to grave employment," with perks and benefits you can only dream about." Damn straight. Because John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, John C. Calhoun, James Madison, the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the members of the Constitutional Convention, and literally dozens of others didn't dedicate their adult lives to holding elective and appointive office. Right? GN&GL
Goober
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 2:52 p.m.
This is not the right town to opine about our race to become a socialistic society at the hands of Democratic leadership, such as Dingell's.
Ryan J. Stanton
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 2:33 p.m.
I liked Colbert's response: "I think we have to bleep that part."
sayzme
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 2:07 p.m.
Like Stephen Colbert, John Dingell is a national treasure. I for one thank you for your many years of service Mr. Dingell.
ThinkingOne
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 5:23 p.m.
beardpwm Judging by election results, we do have someone who represents us..
AdmiralMoose
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 4:32 p.m.
Beardown, feel free to run your own candidate. John Dingell represents me just fine. And would you mind pointing out that part of the Constitution that says congressional seats are handed down from father to son? Thanks, bud.
beardown
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 4:09 p.m.
So lets throw him in a museum and get someone who actually represents us in office instead of a career politician who got the job from daddy.
Usual Suspect
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 12:39 p.m.
"Host Stephen Colbert asked Dingell, a lifelong Democrat, about the biggest change he's seen in Washington" Let's see, in the time since Dingell took office, there has been the advent of electricity, telephones, and indoor plumbing
ManA2
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 12:37 p.m.
He is an extremely fine man. There are lots of things I don't agree with him about, but that's the point. You can disagree with him and still honor his service and dedication to his constituents. Per some other posts on here, I would argue he is the case against term limits! I've spent time with him in the past year. He may be moving slower than some, but his mind is as sharp as ever.
Tom
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 12:19 p.m.
What's the matter A2.com, remove my comment because I reference this is exhibit A for term limits? Where is your editorial common sense? This is not profane or a lewed comment. No wonder people don't bother to read this rag.
Bob Needham
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 12:35 p.m.
Tom, I was going to respond by email, but your username is so common i was having trouble finding you, so I'll leave this response up for a while -- I'm moderating comments now, and at this point, we have not blocked any comments on this story. I see no evidence of an earlier comment from you. Maybe it didn't save when you typed it in?
noreaster
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 12:16 p.m.
Would that others in Congress have the honorable Mr. Dingell's willingness to compromise. Might make for a country ruled by a representative majority, rather than held hostage by a few political minorities.
Silent Majority
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.
I have a big soft spot for Mr. Dingell. He's honest, decent, and he frankly works harder than folks half his age. Also, if you ever work with his office you'll find out his staff is tremendous. I hope he stays in Congress. On a cane with one good ear he's better than 99% of the folks in DC. And his answers to Colbert were pretty impressive given Stephen's..."Stepheness."
Hunterjim
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 12:08 p.m.
I have picked on Mr Dingell quite a few times, so I will say this about him on a positive of note. Through out his tenure, he has done some good things, and I believe he has a good heart. But he has spent way too long in government service. He follows his party line regardless of its position and he has a strong strong belief that government can solve everything and take care of everyone, and I take exception with that.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 3:12 p.m.
"But he has spent way too long in government service" How measured? Is there a defined number that is "too long"? Does legislative effectiveness have any role in that caculus? "He follows his party line regardless of its position." You mean as evidenced by his always receiving high ratings from the NRA? GN&GL
you can't handle the truth
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 12:05 p.m.
In the Dingell family, this seat gets passed down. Debbie Dingell is next. Hopefully John lives to 150.
Hunterjim
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 12:02 p.m.
A proper venue......
NoSUVforMe
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 11:44 a.m.
Dingel is an honest, honorable man who has served us well. So, haters, watch the video before you start your hate-mongering. His proudest accomplishment was the Civil Rights Act.
dsponini
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.
Apparently the 9 people who voted you down to care for civil rights. These are the same people that don't want marriage equality.
Goober
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 11:01 a.m.
Michigan is special. We have John Dingell and the second highest gasoline prices in the country. Go figure!
ThinkingOne
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.
I see the game.. We explain why Michigan is special by using the name John Dingell, then mentioning something else totally unrelated to John Dingell. Michigan is special. We have John Dingell and and one of our 2 peninsulas looks like a mitten. Who is next?
PattyinYpsi
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 1:08 p.m.
The actual source of the steep increase in our gas prices has to do with the status of refineries that produce our gas. So much for collegiality.
NoSUVforMe
Tue, Jun 4, 2013 : 11:13 a.m.
Looking for blame? A Republican governor, house, and senate in Michigan.