Dingell (kind Of) Praises The Energy Bill

Much has been made this year of the simmering feud between Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell (D-Calif.) over increasing the minimum fuel efficiency standards for all new cars on American roadways.

Obviously, Pelosi got her way in that little standoff, so it wasn't totally surprising that Dingell offered his support for the bill during a closed-door meeting of House Democrats Tuesday night. After all, outward kindness is the usual post-script for most political fights on Capitol Hill since lawmakers would rather bury the hatchet (in their opponent's back).

But the Energy and Commerce chairman (and longest serving House member) wasn't exactly gushing in his praise of the bill. Instead, according to folks in the room, he told members he supported the much-anticipated legislation and then went on to predict Republicans won't vote for it, the Senate probably can't pass it and President Bush will definitely veto it on the off chance that they do.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for those wavering Democrats.