Posted on 08/05/2008 5:05:25 AM PDT by SE Mom
It’s enough to make you weep. Conservative House Republicans -- led by Indiana’s Mike Pence and Georgia’s Tom Price -- took Friday’s spontaneous outburst against Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s summer adjournment without a vote on offshore drilling and turned it into an organized revolt that was melting the Capitol’s telephone and fax lines. And then the White House announced that the President wouldn’t call the House back for a special session to deal with the gasoline price crisis.
But the House Republicans aren’t dismayed. This isn’t about the President, one told me last evening. It’s 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 that’s 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 week’s 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 aren’t getting a vacation from $4/gallon gasoline, Congress shouldn’t 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. America’s 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 Pelosi’s congress – it’s treated as a matter of shame.”
Later, on the House floor, Hensarling asked, “shouldn’t Congress cancel their vacation plans when families are canceling theirs because of high gas prices?” He invited Americans to call Pelosi’s office to express their support for the Republican revolt, giving the main Capitol number, 202-224-3121. (Pelosi’s 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 President’s announcement that he would not call Congress back for a special session may not kill the House revolt. And, in fact, it shouldn’t. For the same reason that the President’s 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.
That’s not exactly it. Bush WANTS the Dems home to catch hell from their constituents while the Republicans in Washington get all the news cycle, such that there is.
It’s a good strategy and you, sir/madam, are uncouth and unappreciative.
I wasn’t happy with President Bush either. But, it appears our heros in congress dont want the intervention. They would rather hammer away at Nazi Pelosi. That way it doesnt look like a Presidential issue. It’s a republican congress issue which the dems refuse to budge on.
Keep up the support of these guys. They earned it.
Pelosi email AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
Thanks for the ping, Politicalmom!
Bingo.
http://www.nysun.com/foreign/iran-threatens-to-shut-strait-of-hormuz/83142/
Iran Threatens Strait of Hormuz
Key Oil Shipping Passage Could Be Blocked for a Month
By ELI LAKE, Staff Reporter of the Sun | August 5, 2008
I agree with everything you’ve stated and think it deserves to be repeated:
“You posted,”......GWB is doing the right thing.”
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.”
Because Barry is not able to capitalize off of the misery of Americans having High Oil prices. He ain't that smart you know?
Is what President Bush should have said not whimper
The White House has rejected calls from House Republicans that it convene a special session of Congress on energy, saying it wouldn’t make a difference.
The Friends showed a clip of McCain with the bikers...he was on fire. Loved how he made fun of Little Barry and his tire inflation idea.
Is this the live thread today...or are we back on “The Lights are On?”
“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 Pelosi’s congress – it’s treated as a matter of shame.” “
I have been reading this really good book about the history of the Glenn Pool(oil) discovery in Oklahoma in the early 1900’s. Just reading it would fill the average American with a sense of pride and wonder at the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the American pioneers in the American Oil Industry.
The MSM and the environmental marxists are going to be busier than a three legged cat in a litter box pushing the leftist ‘Big Oil’ talking points in the coming weeks, so get ready with the facts:
This site will help:
http://energytomorrow.org/economy/Energy_Rhetoric_vs_Reality.aspx
Man, you really have no respect for him.
I agree.
I agree with the other posters who say the idea is to make it clear that Pelosi and the Democrats are responsible. There will be no hiding behind a Presidential order. The ball is squarely in Pelosi's court on the hottest issue of the campaign year.
This bill they want a vote on cost a lot of money, to much added.
Just remove restrictions on drilling, let States get the money. I’m for drilling but what’s behind this bill that cost so much.
‘Babbin says:
“Cong. Pence told me the phones were almost melting.”’
That’s because Americans are all fired up that they are paying for Congress’s 5 week vacation while struggling to pay $4 and more for a gallon of gas.
Hold their feet to the fire! Nancy can run, but she can’t hide. And how much fuel is she burning flitting around the country promoting her book? Which we are paying for. I wonder how Americans feel knowing that hawking this pitiful tome about power is the only concern of Nancy’s?
What it comes down to is it’s all about Nancy and her power and she isn’t about to give it up!
“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 week’s end. If they are successful in building momentum this week, the debates will go on — possibly — all to the way into September”
And while they are doing this and the media does nothing to report it, Democrats will be campaigning against the Republicans who are in Washington.
“BTW- MOVEON.ORG is going to the Capitol this afternoon at 4 pm for a little demonstration of their own- they’re displeased that the GOP has framed the debate!”
Great! That means the MSM will no doubt be there at 3:30 to prepare for their arrival—probably Katy and Charlie and Chrissy will be there too!
I agree the President has to stay out of this and let the House members get the glory! Nice to see them working for their pay for a change! :)
I don’t know- haven’t seen eeev yet..
It can be the live thread easily enough with a tweak from the mods- will freepmail eeev first.
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