John Dingell says he didn't 'want to seem flip' in comments about Detroit
U.S. Rep. John Dingell today tried to soften the blow from comments he made Tuesday about problems in the city of Detroit.
In a statement released today, Dingell, D-Dearborn, said his comments were about the past, and that he has confidence in Mayor David Bing's ability to address the city's problems.
Dingell
Dingell didn't call for a state takeover, but The News said his comments could indicate he believes that's a viable solution.
Today, Dingell stressed his long connection with the city. “My comments on Detroit were sincere, but they were about the past," he said in the statement. "I never want to seem flip about my devotion, care, and concern about places and people that are very dear to me, including the City of Detroit. I was raised in Detroit, Debbie (Dingell's wife) was born and raised in Detroit, and we love Detroit. Detroit must succeed for all of us and I am committed to the city's future."
He said his comments Tuesday were a "reflection on past Administrations that helped dig the hole the city finds itself in, not on the current Administration that is trying desperately to get the city out of the hole. "
He said he had met with Gov. Rick Snyder and Bing and has further meetings planned this month "to discuss federal, state, and local ways to bring about change, because change has to come."
He referenced the much-heralded Chrysler ad featuring Eminem, saying "through hard work and sacrifice, Detroit will succeed. As Eminem distinctively said in the Chrysler 200 Super Bowl ad that we all love, ‘It's what we do.’”
Comments
nancybrown
Wed, Apr 13, 2011 : 6:51 a.m.
Unfortunately He spot on Detroit."I haven't yet seen a governor who wants to appoint somebody" (state takeover of the city) ______ Nancy. cars for sale
treetowncartel
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 3:36 a.m.
BTW, why is it that Top Cat always has one of the first three posts on anything about Dingle? Mr. Dingle, do not take back what you said because you are worried about scaring away voters in 2012, Detroit is in trouble, it has a lot of people who either can't, or will not, do what it takes to make their means to an end. Do not give those people who will not do what it takes a pass, Man Up Mr. Congressman!!Even if it means we get to watch you collect on your nice government funded pension and benefits in two years.
David Briegel
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.
Sorry jondhall, don't you wish your boy could win an election? Democracy worked. The best man won! Imagine, an honest politician who clarified his remarks. What a novelty in our govt! You might wish to focus on how many promises Boehner has broken in 5 weeks!!
treetowncartel
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 3:36 a.m.
Oh, and while I am still fresh on the subject, our state legislature took their snowdays last week, and the Eminem and Chrysler had to distract us from their shortcomings on Sunday. The voters of this country have ADD when it comes to recognizing what is in their best interest, and clealry, their representatives do not care about their best interest. And bringing this full circle, any parent knows that promise to their kid is thier best interest.
treetowncartel
Fri, Feb 11, 2011 : 3:32 a.m.
Oh please, cry me a river! He did lead the excerise in futility by holding a repeal vote on healthcasre reform that he promised us back in the fall. Parents make promises to their children and hope like hell they can keep them. Politicians, regardless of their ilk, make promises to the constituents, and hope like hell another issue arises to divert their attention from their bait and switch tactics.
jondhall
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 2:41 p.m.
Can someone tell me what this young whippersnapper means by "flip". While were at who voted for AARP ? I myself liked that guy from the 80's they called him ALF. You reap what you sow , I'm with Rick !
outdoor6709
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 2:34 p.m.
Unfortunately Ann Arbor did its usual and voted for Mr. Dingell. We can only hope we start paying attention to issues for the next election.
jondhall
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 2:43 p.m.
They did what the liberal professors told them to do , live OFF the people .
Jimmy McNulty
Thu, Feb 10, 2011 : 12:22 p.m.
Mayor Bing seems to be honest and sincere about his vision for Detroit. However, why apologize for telling the truth? Detroit is a disaster, so don't apologize for or sugar-coat your comments. I've lived in cities where there is high crime, but those cities have other attractions to draw folks to them.
treetowncartel
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.
I guess based on the rigmarole Michigan ceased to exist a while back. Because in the past, the state couldn't survive with the Detroit it was given. We all live in one big corpse now.
jcj
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.
At Georgetown University in Washington Tuesday, Dingell, who represents the Ann Arbor area, told students of his alma mater that "Michigan cannot exist with Detroit the way it is," In a statement released today, Dingell, D-Dearborn, said his comments were about the past, and that he has confidence in Mayor David Bing's ability to address the city's problems. There is nothing in this statement that would make anyone believe he was talking about THE PAST! He needs to be a man and admit he put his foot in his mouth!
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
Thank you. I was going to point that out, but you beat me to the punch. What a piece of work this DIngel(l) is .
maallen
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 7:22 p.m.
Poor guy has lost it. He was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado in July of 1926. He attended Georgetown Preparatory School in Washington D.C. Then at age 12 he went to the House Page School House Page School in 1938, making him 12 years old at that time. So, tell me exactly when was he "raised in Detroit"? Once again, leave it up to Dingell's slick public relations team to bail him out after opening his mouth. Time and time again we see Dingell say something way out there only to have his P.R. team swoop in to bail him out from himself. When Dingell says "I haven't yet seen a governor who wants to appoint somebody" (state takeover of the city) he was clearly not only referring to the past governors, but also the new governor of Michigan. "I never want to seem flip about my devotion, care, and concern about places and people that are very dear to me, including the City of Detroit." Wow, never knew Dingell was so passionate about the City of Detroit. Too bad he doesn't show that same kind of "devotion, care, and concern" about his constituents of the 15th District.
Sully
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 7:03 p.m.
The only constants during the decline in Detroit and SE Michigan have been John Dingell and John Conyers. Some new leadership in Congress could go a long ways.
shadow wilson
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 6:24 p.m.
Martin Church, what planet are you on? To say Ypsi and Ann arbor have thesame problems as Detroit is so far off base that I amnot sure how to respond.Ann Arbor has the University. And that is one of the few positive resources in the State. I know Ann Arbor so any forecasts of doom and gloom are just not true. Ann Arbor may have problems(who doesn't?) but to compare it to Detroit's intractable decades long tragedy is mind boggling. When liberal democrat (I am one) such as Dingle says what he says surely it must threaten the dogma.Something must be done about Detroit.Bing has show some but not much........something radical like an emergency financial Mgr should be put into place and city council pay should be cut in half at the very least.
Martin Church
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 5:45 p.m.
now Dingell is trying to make appends for telling the truth. Yes Dave Bing is making changes, but those changes will also have to include the city council and what we expect from our cities. Detroit is not the only city in trouble, we see the same problems in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. the problem steams from having to adapt to a new method of thinking and it will require support from our state Legislature and Governor as well as our congressional delegation. Dingell needs to stop white washing what he said and get with Clark, Conner and Mccotter and work on ways to make the federal labor laws more responsive to the members of the union and not the union lawyers. stop finding ways to increase union membership and find ways to increase Job employment. Make it easier for small business to get work to support the cities and townships of our community.
Ignatz
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
He's spot on about Detroit.
sbbuilder
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.
Dingle (sic) is responsible for everything bad in the universe.
Top Cat
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 4:16 p.m.
Sorry bugjuice, but Mr. Dingell (note the spelling) seems perpetually lost.
bugjuice
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 3:58 p.m.
it won't be long until we hear from the Dingle bashers slam him for everything bad in the universe.