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This is very good news, if true. Republicans frequently gun for Pete Stark because he’s fearless and he doesn’t back down from a fight. I was concerned that House Democrats would shy away from elevating Stark to such a powerful position, but Pelosi did indeed select him to replace Charlie Rangel as the head of the panel. And since John Boehner is objecting to the temporary nature of Rangel stepping down, Stark may get the seat permanently.
Here’s who Pete Stark is:
Two years ago, a source on Capitol Hill who used to work in Representative Pete Stark’s office told me a great anecdote about Representative Stark.
One day, a lobbyist from a large energy company entered the lobby of Representative Stark’s office. When he heard who was in the lobby, Representative Stark yelled from another room “get the f*ck out of here!” When the lobbyist laughed a bit and didn’t leave, Representative Stark came into the lobby and yelled again “no, get the f*ck out of here!” The lobbyist then left.
Stark has chaired the Health Policy Subcommittee at Ways and Means, and he introduced a bill last year that would essentially provide Medicare to everyone. He’s a good ally at Ways and Means.
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Sounds like my kinda guy.
Stark is awesome. I hope this is true.
I knew there was something specific I liked about Pete Stark and I just remembered: he’s the only openly atheist member of Congress. The “controversial comments” section of his wikipedia entry is an entertaining read.
I just put down the telephone after calling Pete Stark’s office to congratulate him. I was told that this has not been resolved.
BOO BOO!
This is funny, the repugs drove Rangel out with their whinging, now they have a REAL reason to whinge, Stark is a BULLDOG! Reap what you sow assholes.
I love that one of the ads on this blog is for the Mormons.
Stark / Lee / Garamendi / Miller : not bad for four contiguous East Bay districts.
AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Citizen David Dayen and the Firepup freedom Fighters:
The speculation was that if Rangel’s removal was temporary then Stark would be chosen but if he was gunna be out permanently then Sander Levin was to take over. What do YOU hear, Brother Dayen? And given Pelosi’s smack-down of Stark a couple years ago when he had the temerity to call out the Bush lies and liars, is this fence mending and does Pelosi need stronger chairs for the comin’ fights…what does this portend for the healthcare battle?
KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION, THE STRUGGLE GOEZ ON AND ON AND…
Here’s hoping Stark can manage to navigate the miasma in a way that keeps him “in it, but not of it.” We’ve previously seen what happens to people who get handed a powerful gavel, however. Accordingly, I’ll reserve judgement.
As for The Boner? Doesn’t he have an appointment with his tanning valet, or something?
some of Pete Stark’s awesomeness found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsGaNR9dVPM
the vid was posted by “outraged voter” but can’t tell about what. still a good vid.
If this change is permanent, it is a real piece of good news. Maybe Rep. Stark can use the same rhetoric when F-cking Retard Rahm comes calling for his DLC Wall Street lobbyist clients.
I think Pelosi pretty much has to pick him. Since Stark is #2 in seniority, he can move up without a vote. However if Pelosi tries to pick anyone else, the Dem Caucus would get to vote on it. That would get messy since there are some angry Members right now.
I don’t think the leadership’s candidate (#3 in seniority Sander Levin) is going to get it. Once the House starts ignoring seniority, on what basis then would Levin have a leg up over any other committee member in a Caucus vote? The CBC would push strongly for Pelosi to select John Lewis (#5 in seniority). Progressives would want a single payer supporter– either Stark, Jim McDermott (#4) or Lewis. On a permanent basis (assuming the GOP doesn’t take over the House this fall), if it doesn’t stay with Stark, it will go to John Lewis.
Fuck seniority! They should score the fuckers on faithful adherence to the Democratic party platform. Half of the Committee chairs should be out on their asses for taking K-street bribes.
Well, he should drive the Repugs “Stark raving mad!”
Rangel drove himself out – he’s not some poor innocent victim who lost his job for no good reason.
yeah anyway!!
Pete Stark (as far as I know) is our nation’s only national-level politician who is openly non-theist. Looks like he’s risen to a position quite a bit higher than the proverbial dog catcher post, which is heartening to me as an atheist American.
Stark’s appointment as Ways and Means chair will be termed to be “interim” pending the outcome of further ethics probes into Rangle. This should not be interpreted as Rangle having any chance of regaining the chair; he is finished, regardless.
For Stark, the “interim” period will last for the rest of this congress, as long as he doesn’t cause the Speaker any trouble; something he’s promised to do but if you know Pete, easier said than done. If he makes it through this congress without any major verbal outbursts, he’ll almost certainly get the chair permanently in the next one. If he acts out, he could get the boot sooner and maybe Levin or probably Lewis (but probably not McDermott) will be moved in.
Boehner can lay on the floor and kick and scream all he wants, but the chairs are determined by Pelosi and not the House as a whole or even as a practical matter the Democratic caucus; the caucus will back whatever the Speaker decides and she has already shown with Jane Harman that she will respect seniority only so far. For Pelosi, loyalty to her is always going to be the deciding factor on selecting chairs.
This is great news. I’ve known Pete Stark for many, many years and I like him. He is a good, decent, honest, kind, caring, compassionate and very smart person. If we had a government full of Pete Starks, the world would be a much better place.
The wonderful Ds, broke tradition and have instead given the job to Sander Levin. Apparently no one that was more beholden to conservatives and lobbyists was willing to step forward and they couldn’t get caught just giving the job to the top R.
Man ya gotta love these guys.