Republican Rob Steele a no-show at candidate forum, but John Dingell still finds a strong critic
U.S. Congressman John Dingell, D-Dearborn, speaks about national health care reform at a candidate forum Wednesday night at the Ann Arbor City Club while forum moderator James Mitchiner looks on.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
It didn't appear that U.S. Congressman John Dingell was going to face much opposition Thursday night when his Republican opponent, Ann Arbor-area cardiologist Rob Steele, didn't attend a candidate forum hosted by the Washtenaw County Medical Society.
But then Chase Ingersoll spoke up.
Ingersoll, a Republican from Ann Arbor running for the 53rd District state House seat against Democrat Jeff Irwin, was one of nine candidates who appeared at Thursday's event in Ann Arbor and answered questions before a 50-person crowd of mostly medical professionals.
Dingell, D-Dearborn, had been talking proudly about his efforts on national health care reform before Ingersoll interrupted, refusing to give the 84-year-old incumbent a free pass.
Republican state House of Representatives candidate Chase Ingersoll talks Thursday night while his opponent, Democrat Jeff Irwin, listens.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Ingersoll, who left his own opponent alone Thursday night, went on the attack against Dingell several times, shouting and pointing his finger at the 28-term congressman and accusing him of being less than honest with the crowd about his legislation.
At one point, Ingersoll made an obscene gesture that caused members of the audience to quietly murmur. He was asked multiple times to behave and quiet down.
"When the legislation goes into effect — it's going to take four years to do this because it's a tremendous undertaking," Dingell said at one point.
"But we start paying the taxes right away!" Ingersoll shouted. "Let's be honest, Mr. Dingell!"
At that point, a woman in the audience shushed Ingersoll and called him an "angry young man." Dingell then continued on talking about his legislation.
"There's a whole array of rights that are there," Dingell said. "It will be very much like the law that was written in Massachusetts, which is working quite well and which was defended by Mitt Romney while, I'm told, he was a Republican presidential candidate."
Ingersoll fired back, speaking out of turn again.
"And what did Mr. Romney say?" Ingersoll asked in a raised voice. "What does Mr. Romney say now about the health care legislation in Massachusetts? He said that it's not working — costs have gone up and services down. If Mr. Steele was here, he'd clean your clock on that issue, Mr. Dingell. That's why you only are having one debate with him."
Dingell had to leave about an hour into the forum. Before walking out, he turned to the crowd and said he was leaving those still in attendance at the mercy of Ingersoll.
"Be nice to him," Dingell quipped.
Steele had planned to attend, but canceled at the last minute. Steele's campaign relayed news partway through the forum that he was unavoidably stuck at another event.
Dingell commented on his opponent's absence in a statement released afterward.
“I guess my opponent didn’t want to talk about his backward agenda of taking away the protections patients now have with the Patients’ Bill of Rights," he said. "His right-wing agenda would increase the federal deficit, put control of health decisions back in the hands of insurance companies, and increase the number of people without health care. With an out-of-touch agenda like that, I guess I’m not surprised he doesn’t want to talk about it with his colleagues in the medical field — they certainly don’t support him on that.”
Dingell spoke of the importance of unfettered access to quality, affordable health care, which he considers a right that should be enjoyed by all citizens. He said medical decisions are best left in the hands of patients and their doctors — not insurance company executives.
Dingell had to defend himself against Ingersoll throughout the night.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
He said the new health care reform law is a Patients’ Bill of Rights, but it also benefits doctors and medical professionals, which is why it was endorsed by the American Medical Association. Some opponents of reform, he said, want to go back to a broken health care system.
"The new law is going to ensure that the doctors have less time spent arguing with insurance companies and more time doing what they do best," Dingell said.
Dingell said the law puts an end, once and for all, to some of the reprehensible practices of the health insurance industry — calling for no more discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, no more lifetime caps on coverage and no more rescissions.
"What is going to happen there is that the insurance companies are going to be compelled to offer policies which meet certain standards for the protection of the public — all the things that were included in the Patients' Bill of Rights," he said. "The policies have to be written clearly in simple, understandable language. Kids can stay on their parents' policies until age 26."
Dingell said the new law already has reduced the cost of medicines for seniors who fall in the Medicare prescription drug gap, has allowed companies to keep insuring early retirees, and has given people with pre-existing conditions a place to purchase health insurance.
The reforms, he said, ensure health care coverage for 95 percent of Americans while reducing the federal deficit by about $138 billion.
Ingersoll said a lot of what he heard Thursday night was just "ridiculous." He suggested Washtenaw County would be better off if the state and federal governments ceased to exist.
"But as long as we want to try to play the nanny state and send all our money to Lansing and then put our hands out and say, 'Would you please send it back to us and tell us how to use it?' and then we play the same game with Washington, D.C., well, that's just schizophrenic," he said. "Are we abused wives? We're getting beat up each election and yet we do the same thing. We send our money to Lansing, we send it to Washington, D.C., and then we act like beggars saying, 'Please send it back to us.'"
Ingersoll directed his frustration at the audience at one point.
"I just find it insane that you people have been on this earth for 60, 70, 80 years and don't realize that yet, and you need a whippersnapper like me who's 41 years old to tell you the gosh darn truth: The emperor in Lansing and the emperors in Washington, D.C., have no clothes."
Ingersoll, a native of Texas, is the owner of A2 Global Shipping in Ann Arbor. He holds a law degree from the University of Illinois and is married with three children. He faces off against Irwin, a Washtenaw County commissioner, for the 53rd District seat on Nov. 2.
In response to a request for a brief biography prior to Thursday's forum, Ingersoll sent the Medical Society a mostly humorous and very detailed recording of his lifetime of medical experiences, including graphic descriptions of personal events.
Ingersoll explained his frankness to AnnArbor.com, saying he has no expectations of being able to beat Irwin and he has no real desire to win.
Other candidates at Thursday's forum included 18th District state Senate hopefuls John Hochstetler and Rebekah Warren, 52nd District state House hopefuls Mark Ouimet and Christine Green, and 54th District state House hopefuls David Rutledge and Richard Deitering. Go to the Voters Guide on AnnArbor.com to read more about them.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.
Comments
Roadman
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 7:26 p.m.
Chase Ingersoll's actions made today's New York Times. Previously, they were covered on thr D.C. political periodical "The Hill". The latest poll on the Dingell/Steele race is from the Rossman indepependent polling organization and confirms the results of the prior Team Telecom poll that Dingell trails Steele by four percentage points. The New York Times article also reported an irate driver lambasted Dingell for conducting "a dog and pony show" during his conference with the Mayor at the Stadium Bridge to announce the federal funding; it had apparently caused a traffic back-up.
bedrog
Tue, Oct 19, 2010 : 2:50 p.m.
moderators: Since ROADMAN seems to be the p.r person for the 2 shrillest of dingell's opponants, i trust i can add to his or her previous shill for GREEN candidate aimee smith and that you won't delete this as a 'personal attack', which it's not...just the facts: Among ms. smiths other resume accomplishments ( which 'roadman ' neglected for some reason) are her frequent harassment of jewish events, while costumed as an arab fundamentalist ( she's catholic!). This is aided by her use of a bullhorn and often her small child as a prop (or human shield ala hamas). All this is documented by a photograph in a jan 2010 WASHTENAW JEWISH NEWS article on her and her colleagues and in subsequent articles in the feb and march issues. Just want voters to know her full range of accomplishments, since Roadman is overly modest on her behalf.
Heardoc
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 5:29 p.m.
It is amazing that all the left leaning bloggers seem to try to justify the democrats -- the dems were wrong and this will be evident on Nov 2. It is rather a delight to see all the misstatements and flat out revision of history in an attempt to rationalize the false belief that dems are good and repubs are bad. When logic is used to reduce the dems from their arrogant position of 'knowing better' than the uneducated fools that do not agree with their viewpoint we see the venomous attacks that are the hallmark of the radical leftists that are at the pinnacle of power in the democratic party. Now Obama is demonizing americans that do not agree with him and has played the race card once again. Thankfully we will see a great change in power in two weeks.
leaguebus
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 4:28 p.m.
This is a quote from Paul Krugman of the NYT. "Modern American conservatism is, in large part, a movement shaped by billionaires and their bank accounts, and assured paychecks for the ideologically loyal are an important part of the system. Scientists willing to deny the existence of man-made climate change, economists willing to declare that tax cuts for the rich are essential to growth, strategic thinkers willing to provide rationales for wars of choice, lawyers willing to provide defenses of torture, all can count on support from a network of organizations that may seem independent on the surface but are largely financed by a handful of ultrawealthy families." The Democratic majority passed a Health Care Bill that essentially was worked out with the health care companies interests in mind. Now the companies are double crossing the Democrats and are spending at least $20M to fund Tea Party candidates that want to repeal the bill. If they can repeal the bill, its means back to 770,000 individual bankruptcies a year because of medical bills, back to limits on payouts to individuals, back to limits on who can get insurance, and unlimited lining of the pockets with money of these large health care companies and their officers. Go figure. I have a good health insurance policy and it is very reasonable. But I look at the ~35M people that live holding their breaths hoping that they don't get sick and know we can do something about this. Mr Dingell voted to do something about this and he gets roasted by a bunch of people in their comments on this list. I will call them tools of big health care for a lack of a better term. The Republicans have run a bunch of ridiculous candidates who have a chance of winning because of all the big business/ultra wealthy backing (money) that they are being given. Eventually we will see that electing a bunch of big business/ultra wealthy backed idiots to Congress will make things worse than they already are, but its a shame to waste the time to find this out. Canada is looking better each day.
northside
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 3:37 p.m.
Ryan I know that reporters don't usually get to title their articles. Do you know why this piece's title ended up using the phrase "strong critic" to describe Ingersoll? I'm asking because based on what you wrote Ingersoll showed a disruptive and disturbing pattern of behavior. I'm surprised he was allowed to remain at the forum; his actions probably would have gotten him thrown out of a bar. To call him a 'strong critic' minimizes the extent to which his actions were troublesome.
maallen
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 10:23 a.m.
Apparently you haven't been to any of Dingell's events where he says "health insurance premiums will be reduced" or "will go down" due to this new health care law. And apparently you haven't read Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, letter dated September 9, 2010. In that letter she states that adding all these new benefits will indeed increase the premiums. For once, the health insurance carriers and the government now agree on something! Premiums will increase. Where they disagree is by how much the premiums will increase by. Now the questions is, do you believe Dingell and the government who has lied to us all the way to now, or do you believe the insurance industry who has been pretty much on target with premium rate predictions?
maallen
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.
Ghost, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, back in September admitted that that Dingell's new health care law will not lower the health insurance premiums. It will raise them. So all this time, Dingell has been lying and continues to do so by saying that the health care bill will lower premiums. And he continues to say Massachusetts health care law (which is similar to Dingell's) works just fine. Even though members from his own party says Massachusetts health care law does not work and is bankrupting the state. Dingell is out of touch with reality. He is part of the problem.
Roadman
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 11:52 p.m.
For those who do not wish to vote Republican but are disgusted with John Dingell and the direction of the Democratic Party, please consider casting your vote for Green Party nominee Aimee Smith. Sadly, Aimee did not appear at this candidate forum but, as you can tell, a Republican Party nominee did a fine job of going toe-to-toe with John Dingell. Mr Ingersoll speaks eloquently for many 15th District residents and his convincing arguments explain why Dingell is trailing in some recent polls. Aimee Smith attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned a doctorate in engineering and studied as a post-doctoral fellow at that school. She currently works as a research engineer and strongly advocates for environmental issues and foreign policy matters consistent with the viewpoints of the U.S. Green Party. She presently sits as co-chairperson of the Huron Valley Greens.
Heardoc
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 7:56 p.m.
@Edward R Murrow's Ghost I agree with your statement that you should stop being foolish.
Diagenes
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 7:19 p.m.
According to the Cato Institute Dingell's health care bill will cost $2.7 trillion over the next 10 years, and add $352 billion to the national debt. There will be little to no cost containment. The bill raises taxes by $669 billion between now and 2019. The bill contains no tort reform. It is nothing to be proud of. Mr. Dingell should be forced to retire by the voters this Novemeber.
michigan face
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 4:51 p.m.
Ingersoll represents all of these "ticking time-bomb" Republicans. It is hard to believe anyone would vote for this pompous, ill-informed group of candidates. They are downright scary - imagine them making your rules for you...I can't. Vote Democratic sensibility
Heardoc
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 9:26 a.m.
@Edward R Murrow's Ghost You made no sense with your comment.
maallen
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.
Nice to see the Michigan Farm Bureau endorse Steele.
David Cahill
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 12:32 p.m.
Heh. Looks like the Mad Hatter's Tea Party isn't having a very good day - especially since Dingell got us $14 million for the Stadium Bridge repairs. 8-)
mike from saline
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 12:01 p.m.
Is there anyone anyone from the Republican Party [in a leadership position] who can explain how Ingersoll got on the ballot? Is there anyone from the Republican Party [in a leadership position] who can explain [a Damn good explaination] why Rob Steele wasn't at this event? Caught in traffic........YOU GOTTA BE KIDD'IN, right? Is there anyone from the Republican Party from Washtenaw County, or the State of Michigan, who can explain why anyone should vote for any of there candidates after this fiasco? There's a battle going on right now, between the Libertarians, and the religous right, over the heart, soul, and future direction of the Republican Party of America. There is NO battle going on right now for the heart, soul, or direction of the Republican Party in the State of Michigan, because the Party has no heart, no soul, and no direction!!! Thanks George Bush [both of you]. Thanks Dick and Bettsy Devos [both of you].
Heardoc
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 9:39 a.m.
@Dan Romanchik Did you forget about the whole Boston Tea party thing?
Dan Romanchik
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 6:12 p.m.
@Heardoc: The revolution was about taxation? Well, silly me. All this time I thought it was about all men being created equal being "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."
Heardoc
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 5 p.m.
@johnnya2 You seem to not really grasp what is happeing here in amera-- Why would you think most americans are uneducated? Do you somehow think you know best? Funny how the left seems to feel they need to put america down as america rejects the far left extremist viewpoint. Typical of the left but america has rejected you and your viewpoint. As far as the revolution--Hmmm.. That was due to over taxation and reducng taxes-- all conservative ideals. The far left will lose the house and, it appears, the senate. The healthcare law wll be found unconstitutional (trial starts monday in FL). As far as civil rights- it was repulicansthat passed this (check your records). Pleas check your facts in the future.
johnnya2
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 3:57 p.m.
@heardoc, 1.The fact that most Americans are uneducate has no effect on the Dingell race. 2. Even BEST case scenario for republicans would be to win the senate and house. Go ahead and try to pass or rescind anything without Obama's consent. It won't happen 3. Most American's are think they are conservative until they see how successful liberalism is. SSI, Medicare, the VA, civil rights act, women voting, 18 year old voting, freeing slaves. All liberal ideas. If you think these are bad things, it shows just what kind of person you actually are. In fact, the concept of America was founded on a REVOLUTION (not exactly a conservative idea)
Heardoc
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 3:37 p.m.
the problem here is that most of the bloggers here are from the very far left wing of the democratic party and therfore not very representaive of America. While most here agree with Obama-- America does not if you pay attention to the polling. Liberals wil be out of office come Novemberan then we can straighten out and clean up the Obama mess. Most in Ann Arbor will be disappointed but America will be better off and the will of the people, rather than the will of extemists, will be te rule of the day!
Patti Smith
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.
Um, has anyone else read his candidate responses on his website? Please tell me someone else has...I have the need to...I don't know...just want to know someone else has read/is reading them....
Bob Needham
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 3:16 p.m.
(Four off-topic comments removed)
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 3:16 p.m.
In office for far too long - Dingell should retire - Congress is for the People - not for one person.
maallen
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 2:51 p.m.
"Yeah, nothing stinks there." You are absolutely right, nothing stinks there. The democrats took his money and put him on the ballot.
Trepang674
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 2:10 p.m.
"Typical right wing, tea party, extremest tactics...Trying to shout people down in a fit of anger, in the hopes that others are to intimidated to answer.." Must not watch how Bernaro functions.
EricS
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 1:48 p.m.
I kind of find it amusing that people that are so agains the healtcare bill constantly cite that they don't want some burocrat deciding what healthcare they get- but are happy to pay enough money to companies to make a significant profit to do exactly the same thing. Do you not realize 1) that the nature of insurance is socialistic in the first place- you all pool your money to pay for each other's care? and 2) All healthcare companies do is launder your money (after taking out profits and administration). Why you want to waste enough money to help get heathcare to fellow Americans who don't already have it is beyond me. The part that I don't support about the bill is that there is not a government option.
Cash
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 1:38 p.m.
Congratulations Mr Dingell. You displayed the class and common sense that has made you our choice all of these years. You are a man of the people....and that's why we have chosen you to represent us for so long. Those that yell the loudest do not speak for the majority.
bedrog
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 1:24 p.m.
roadman...on other threads you've supported the exhibitionistic and rude "so-far left- she's right" GREEN foe of Dingell. Now you're supporting the exhibitionistic and rude REPUBLICAN. What gives?? oh, wait! i just answered my own question with the common denominator that seems to turn you on.
maallen
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 1:02 p.m.
@ Andrew Linko..."They use the same gestures, the same one liners, no facts, no debate, no logic. This isn't the way I want my government to operate!" You are right, I don't want my government to operate with no debate, no logic either. So, what happened to the transparency of the government that was promised to us? And with the current government, talking about logic..."We need to pass the bill so we know what's in it." That's logic!!!!! Dingell is part of the problem.
maallen
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:54 p.m.
If Chase Ingersoll is the face of the Republican Party then Mr. Alvin Greene, of South Carolina, is the face of the Democratic party. You know, that unknown guy who beat the very well known democrat Vic Rawl in the primaries in South Carolina!
Jody Durkacs
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:53 p.m.
@heardoc "bring our country back to the greatness and american exceptionalism that was here before we elected Obama. " Really? What country was this? You want to go back to Bush? YOU are the one who does not represent mainstream America. The country you characterize never existed but in your mind.
Andrew Linko
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:45 p.m.
Ingersoll is the new face of GOP politics, not a statesman, no diplomacy, just emotions, anger, and no facts to back it up. I will say that many Americans have become the same way as we have a media empire, Faux news training and brainwashing many. They use the same gestures, the same one liners, no facts, no debate, no logic. This isn't the way I want my government to operate!
SemperFi
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:45 p.m.
@heardoc Any attempt to give credence to Ingersoll's vitriol only exemplifies what's wrong with you T-partiers. Since you want to be free of government, I recommend that you drive on private roads, call the private fire deparment, be defended internationally by Blackwater, and perhaps have your environment protected by AGM & BP. You speak of moral values and truth. Would you rather support the moral values of Ingersoll, who, as a lawyer, betrayed his clients trust and has trouble telling the truth in a court of law? America was duped by the GOP and the Bush/Cheney gang for 8 long years. It's going to take a little while to repair the damage that was done under that reign of terror. The American majority spoke with a clear voice by electing President Obama(and they didn't need a hanging chad to do it). You keep listening to Glenn Beck and Rush and believe everything they tell you. The local democratic party isn't perfect, but they haven't strolled out a disbarred attorney to run for public office.
Roadman
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:42 p.m.
Thank you Chase Ingersoll for cutting Congressman John Dingell down to size. Obviuusly you graduated from one of America's finest law schools so you have some understanding of the federal government. We need more Americans like you running for office. Keep up the good work.
Atticus F.
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.
Typical right wing, tea party, extremest tactics...Trying to shout people down in a fit of anger, in the hopes that others are to intimidated to answer..
maallen
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:32 p.m.
"It will be very much like the law that was written in Massachusetts, which is working quite well..." Once again, Dingell doesn't know what he is talking about. Massachusetts plan does not control health care costs. Even people from Dingell's own party, the State Attorney General from Massachusettes (democrat) asked "Can we expect the existing health care market in Massachusetts to successfully contain health care costs? To date, the answer is an unequivocal no." Dingell is so out of touch with reality. Why does Massachusetts have one of the highest costs/premiums in the country? Because of mandated benefits, the younger healthier population do not participate in the program until they need it. They would rather pay the fine than pay for the health insurance because it costs too much. So Massachusettes is paying out more in claims than they are actually taking in premiums. Massachusetts offers subsidies for those who can't afford the health insurance. (Just like ObamaCare). Guess who pays for those subsidies by the government? The taxpayers! So in order for the government to afford these subsidies they have to increase taxes! Massachusetts has the 6th highest taxes in the country! Massachusetts ranks near the bottom, 36th nationally, when it comes to business tax climate! Property taxes are the 8th highest in the nation. And Dingell wants us to be more like Massachusetts? No thanks. Dingell is part of the problem!
SemperFi
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:13 p.m.
@care2comment You agree that Chase "is a little over the top". That's like saying the Titanic took on a little water. Clearly, Ingersoll lacks class and character and has a long history of being unable to interact appropriately in a professional setting. If he's the best that the GOP has to offer, then they better go back to the drawing board.
maallen
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:10 p.m.
The American Medical Association supports the bill. Gee, I wonder why? Could it be that the democrats offered them a promise to increase doctors pay scale if they supported this bill? Could that be it? Would democrats buy someone's support? Nah, that couldn't be it! The AMA has about 220,000 members which the majority are made up of medical schools, medical students, and retired physicians. And the members themselves didn't support the bill, it was the leadership of the AMA that supported it. And now you know the rest of the story that Dingell conveniently left out!
Heardoc
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:08 p.m.
Ingersol was correct to confront Dingel. The Ann Arbor people are very left of center and do not really represent America. Outside of Ann Arbor, America is angry with with the radical/extremist agenda that has been forced on America. Now we are seeing a great push back from middle America and the radical left, as evidenced here in this blog, are now feeling the heat and are wondering why America is not agreeing with them. The radical left is out of touch and does not represent American values-- morality, truth and freedom from government
Heardoc
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : noon
Dingel is the epitome of the problems in Washington, DC. Been there too long, too old and out of ideas but to just spend more money. He needs to be replaced by a younger, more energized individual that can really change congress and bring our country back to the greatness and american exceptionalism that was here before we elected Obama. November is coming -- you libs will be put into your box for the next ten years!
Ben
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 11:50 a.m.
I was just about to reply to a comment by Ingersoll (or so it appeared) when it was removed. Probably just as well. His behavior at this event is contemptible. It was an insult to everyone in attendance, who I'm willing to bet did not come to hear him heckle the real candidates.
Cash
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 10:43 a.m.
So this is the Republican "patriotism"? They can't even show up to have a debate or answer questions from the voters? Hooray for Mr Dingell! So much for the age issue. At least he shows up and takes questions, while Steele hides.
sigdiamond
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 10:05 a.m.
Hey, look what I found: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/il-supreme-court/1157984.html
ResidentAnvil
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 9:58 a.m.
So, we have politicians that have no desire to be elected; Campaigns that run ads that are flat-out lies; Companies purchasing elected officials; And an economy that is in shambles! I wonder why voters are disillusioned and angry?!
Klayton
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 9:57 a.m.
Why didn't Steele show up? Was he afraid of his own peers? That seems odd. Why do we have so many Republicans not wanting to debate (Snyder has really lost my vote---if he won't show up for the debates, how will he show up for me when I need him!). Showing up is half the job!!! You need to answer to your constituents!!! I would also add that I emailed both governor campaigns and have yet to hear from the Snyder campaign (it has been about a week!!!).
djm12652
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 9:44 a.m.
Voters never cease to amaze me...because Ingersoll acted like a angry child, all conservatives will be lumped in that definition. And because this guy didn't show the decorum people demand of their candidates, voters will put Dingell back in...look at how much he has done for us with what...150 terms...? At least it seems that long. Michigan is in the crapper and all Dingell keeps doingyear, after year [and the constituents don't seem to mind] is blow smoke up our butts. But I do like his remark about 95% of the populus will have health care...currently 85% of America has health coverage.
SemperFi
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.
WOW, Steele won't show up at a forum sponsored by his peers to confront his opponent that he says won't debate with him. OK Rob, you lost me on that one. Ingersoll, who is embarrassed by his own education, runs for a position that he has no real desire to win and... well, just read his responses to the AnnArbor.com voter's guide. I don't believe I'll be doing business with A2 Global Shipping anytime too soon. Is this the best that a major political party can offer to represent them? To represent us?
johnnya2
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.
@ Mr Murrow. You have it all wrong, they are not the future of the Republican party. This is the CURRENT Republican party. In fact, I contend this has been the republican party for at least a decade. Leek at what this guy says: Education bad, government bad, yet drives n the roads funded by THE GOVERNMENT, has an education from a PUBLIC university. I am guessing he got his law degree and realized he was way over matched for people with superior intellect. As for Dr Steele, here was your opportunity to discuss the issues with Mr Dingell, yet something else was more important. Let me guess, a fundraiser, or maybe a tea party?
Veracity
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.
The title of this article is misleading because Chase Ingersoll's factless and disrespectful diatribe against Representative Dingell does not warrant his being labeled as a strong critic. In fact, Chase Ingersoll does not deserve the attention that he receives with this article. However, the article does serve a purpose by including some of John Dingell's important explanations of the content of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As a physician I recognize many benefits within the health care bill. The bill could have done much more except for the resistance of Republicans in the Senate (the "no" alliance) and the American people should not have to wait for four years before important provisions take effect.
just a homeowner
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 8:59 a.m.
So one Republican doesn't bother to show up, and another acts like a jerk. I'm ready to vote for Snyder, but I'm going to split the ticket and vote Dingell, etc. after this performance by GOP candidates.
eclectablog
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 8:48 a.m.
Ann Arbor-area Republicans showed their true color last night! LOL! The funny part about Steele's absence is that he's been running around telling anyone who would listen that John Dingell is afraid to debate him. He's even sent out fundraising literature with this claim. More here: http://fb.me/FvpW9stP
sigdiamond
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 8:44 a.m.
From the annarbor.com voter guide link: Textbook example of Perpetually Outraged Guy, a syndrome which knows no politics. Sounds like a real blast to be around.
David Briegel
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 8:27 a.m.
Alan, Yes! We are fortunate to have Jeff Irwin, Chris Green, Mark Schauer and John Dingell!
sigdiamond
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 8:26 a.m.
"Ingersoll explained his frankness to AnnArbor.com, saying he has no expectations of being able to beat Irwin and he has no real desire to win." Uhhh...OK then. Thanks, Chase, for whatever it was you intended to accomplish with this temper tantrum. One of the things I look for in a politician is someone with no desire to lead or affect change.
Top Cat
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 8:26 a.m.
The majority of Americans continue to oppose the health care legislation that Mr. Dingell supported in order to "control the people." Nancy Pelosi said We have to pass the bill so you can find out whats in it. The verdict comes on November 2. Be sure to pay attention.