Posted on 08/05/2008 5:05:25 AM PDT by SE Mom
Its enough to make you weep. Conservative House Republicans -- led by Indianas Mike Pence and Georgias Tom Price -- took Fridays spontaneous outburst against Speaker Nancy Pelosis summer adjournment without a vote on offshore drilling and turned it into an organized revolt that was melting the Capitols telephone and fax lines. And then the White House announced that the President wouldnt call the House back for a special session to deal with the gasoline price crisis.
But the House Republicans arent dismayed. This isnt about the President, one told me last evening. Its about putting pressure on the Speaker. They plan to have a full team on the House floor at least all this week.
Yesterday, I sat on the House floor among members, staff, tourists and other journalists while Reps. Pence, Price, Duncan Hunter (R-Ca) and Jeb Hensarling (R-Tx) made impassioned but well-reasoned speeches about why Congress should return from its just begun 5-week taxpayer-funded vacation to vote on an energy bill aimed at relieving the problem thats affecting every American voter.
The Republicans action began as a stunt on Friday and by Monday had evolved into a well-organized effort that might just succeed: if enough pressure were brought on Pelosi to force a vote on a comprehensive energy package, she might have to budge either by bringing Congress back in August (admittedly a very long-shot) or by holding a vote when the House reconvenes in September.
Republicans, as Hensarling said, define comprehensive as not drill or, but drill and, meaning that they would couple conservation measures with opening offshore drilling and on-land oil reserves such as the Colorado oil shale.
By Monday, Pence and Price had gotten about twenty fellow Republicans to come back for the new debate, and more were still being rounded up. As many as one hundred may be back by weeks end. If they are successful in building momentum this week, the debates will go on -- possibly -- all to the way into September.
Pence told the audience, Because the American people arent getting a vacation from $4/gallon gasoline, Congress shouldnt be taking a 5-week paid vacation. He added, Congress should be working in a bipartisan manner to give the American people more access to American oil.
Hensarling (chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the official conservative Republican group) told me in a brief interview in the Republican cloakroom that it was rather doubtful that Pelosi would call Congress back. Pelosi, he said, was wedded to a San Francisco extremist ideology that prevents her from understanding the pain being felt by real people.
Both Pence and Hensarling understand the most important underlying issue. Americas is an oil-based economy. No matter how much people dream of converting to wind power or solar power or whatever, to bring relief to American consumers in the next several years, the answer has to be an increased supply of oil.
I asked Hensarling why, when America is so energy-rich, was our government insisting we remain energy-poor?
He said, When Brazil discovered huge new offshore oil reserves, it caused a national celebration. It was a matter of pride. When we discover oil here in Nancy Pelosis congress its treated as a matter of shame.
Later, on the House floor, Hensarling asked, shouldnt Congress cancel their vacation plans when families are canceling theirs because of high gas prices? He invited Americans to call Pelosis office to express their support for the Republican revolt, giving the main Capitol number, 202-224-3121. (Pelosis office numbers are 202-225-0100 and 225-4965).
Pence, in his speech, pointed to a chart that showed about a half-dozen issues which Pelosi found time for debate in the House, such as National Passport Month.
The Presidents announcement that he would not call Congress back for a special session may not kill the House revolt. And, in fact, it shouldnt. For the same reason that the Presidents immigration bill died in the Senate last year, this group of Republicans finally finding their voice after being suppressed by Pelosi for more than a year have a winning issue. And Americans are supporting them the same way we supported the opponents of the immigration bill last year.
Cong. Pence told me the phones were almost melting. Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham and many of the other most prominent talk radio hosts were weighing in, accelerating the huge volume of calls and e-mails coming in.
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Az) yesterday challenged congress to return to vote on legislation that would include the barriers to offshore drilling. He promised to return from the campaign trail to vote.
Make those calls, folks. Send those e-mails. This could be a winner.
Check this out....
“There is a voter revolt going on, and it reminds me of the anti-tax rebellion that lifted Ronald Reagan into office 28 years ago. Is the conventional wisdom about to be swept away? As Republicans press home the drill, drill, drill message, might they pick up seats in Congress this year? And might the national clamor for a more realistic and balanced energy policy one that includes more oil, natural gas, clean coal, nuclear, and the alternatives of wind, solar, and cellulosic carry John McCain to a convincing victory over Mr. Obama?
Without even realizing it, the Republican drilling offensive has become a new contract with America. And it appears to be working.”
From here...
http://www.nysun.com/opinion/drill-drill-drill-is-working/83192/
It’s on us to get the word out.
In places that no one talks politics (homeschool, fanfic etc.) I’m spreading the word.
It is up to us now.
To be fair- they were organized and had planned to use their “5 minutes” per rep rule ALL DAY- Pelosi saw the handwriting on the wall and pulled the Cspan plug early.
mark
I LOVE IT! “A voter revolt going on”
IMHO I think the president is letting the republicans get their message across — I think W wants the dems to suffer on this one. If he steps in and calls them back, then it gives fodder to the dems and MSM and they once again can bleam “Bush’s failed policies”. With the republicans taking the lead, the dems look stupid and the pubbies look like the gladiators. Just my opinion.
This is just election year pandering.
That’s my thinking as well. Let the pressure build a bit more. From what I can see, it looks like there’s only about 30% coverage of this right now. The longer it lasts, the more popular it’ll get. When it comes to the breaking point, the entire country will know that blame for high gas prices can be laid straight on the librat backs. THEN, President Bush can jam the stake into their heartless chests.
Simply put, not enough people know about this....yet.
It would be a mistake for Bush to become involved in this particular action by the Republicans. Like it or not he is not popular with the greater majority of Americans right now and such a high profile attempt to help McCain, which calling Congress back into session would presumably do, would likely back fire on him (McCain) instead as it would put them a bit to close for many voters.
The Republicans coming or rather staying in Washington over the break is a real winner and McCain offer to come back for the vote should Congress reconvene has helped him and hurt Obama. This is evidenced by yet another position change on his part, this time over offshore drilling and the NPR.
Bush needs to stay out of this and limit his input to suggestions as to what the Congress should do to help out the American people.
Americans really are not as stupid as the lib media makes them out.
I agree.....This show down with the Democrats will be much more effective coming from the grass roots...The people will have spoken. If I was physically able I would go to Washington too.
I hope the Republicans keep up the protest....and I hope we open up our drilling everywhere within our own boundaries...like we should be doing....we should be keeping ourselves self sufficient...not at the mercy of countries who hate us, and who are capable of sabotaging our national security,
I am positively amazed at how stupid the Democrats are. I despise Nancy Pelosi who acts like Queen Nancy.
Take this to the bank! You’ll be begging for President Bush this time next year.
Bingo! Someone actually has a clear thinking head.
You are entirely misrepresenting Bush’s strategy. Quite the contrary, he thinks having the Republicans in Washington, and the Dems home getting an earful from their constituents is precisely the right medicine. It’s unlikely that Dems in Washington will get the same “up close and personal” commentary from their peeps as if they actually have to face them at home. I see both sides of this one.
Yes
.....but where is the online video feed from just outside the House? Where are the Congtressmen coming out to give us the highlights of the speeches, and what is going on in the House? Where are the interviews with guests to the Gallery, and the ones Congressmen have actually brought onto the floor?
They’re screwing up a golden opportunity. They don’t need the MSM...They don’t even need FNC all day long.
My initial thought in Bush not calling back congress was disappointment too, however, I heard that Bush said that the longer the constituents get to hammer the non returning members back home about oil prices, the better chances they LOSE upcoming elections, the better (I paraphrased here, but this is essentially what I got from the comments I heard).
It came down another $4 since yesterday!
Bush’s plan is to let the Republican Congresscritters raise hell in Washington, while the Dems have to go face angry constituents at home. That seems reasonable.
Will there be a counter group to Moveon?
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