Pelosi: At-risk Dems back drilling

Politico ^ | 8-5-2008 | Martin Kady II and Patrick O'Connor

[BMC1]

California Democrat Nancy Pelosi may be trying to save the planet — but the rank and file in her party increasingly are just trying to save their political hides when it comes to gas prices as Republicans apply more and more rhetorical muscle.

But what looks like intraparty tension on the surface is part of an intentional strategy in which Pelosi takes the heat on energy policy, while behind the scenes she’s encouraging vulnerable Democrats to express their independence if it helps them politically, according to Democratic aides on and off Capitol Hill.

Pelosi’s gambit rests on one big assumption: that Democrats will own Washington after the election and will be able to craft a sweeping energy policy that is heavy on conservation and fuel alternatives while allowing for some new oil drilling. Democrats see no need to make major concessions on energy policy with a party poised to lose seats in both chambers in just three months — even if recess-averse Republicans continue to pound away on the issue.

“The reality is we will have a new president in three months, and what Bush and the Republicans are trying to do amounts to a land grab for the oil companies,” said one senior House Democratic aide involved with party strategy. “I don’t think we have to give in at all pre-election — we have many more options postelection.”

It’s a reality that Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-W.Va.) personally delivered to President Bush recently.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

“I’m staying home this election to teach the Republicans a lesson!”

You realize that all of the doom-and-gloom that people predicted if Democrats won Congress has yet to materialize, don't you?

[No Income Tax]

Does Schuler fit this mold?

Heath is in the liberal tank on drilling. This is from Heath Shuler's web page at

http://shuler.house.gov/content/issues/environment.htm

Energy Policy

Ensuring America’s energy independence is one of the most important and pressing issues facing our Nation. America must lead the world in the use, development, and production of renewable energies to reduce global warming and end our reliance on foreign oil. We can no longer afford to depend solely on fossil fuels, like petroleum, to drive our economy and generate our energy. Our Nation’s energy policy must be focused on securing our long-term energy future and being good stewards of God’s creation, not protecting the profits of Big Oil companies. Our path to energy independence is efficiency, innovation and ingenuity -- not more drilling. I have been working diligently with my colleagues in Congress to achieve that goal.

I added the bold and underline for emphasis.

[iThinkBig]

The sad truth is the damage has already been done. Yes, Dems in full power is worse.

[SuziQ]

“The reality is we will have a new president in three months, and what Bush and the Republicans are trying to do amounts to a land grab for the oil companies,” said one senior House Democratic aide involved with party strategy.

THAT'S their strategy? Keep it up, goobers.

[pabianice]

The Dems need that 60 seat majority in the senate. Then they’ll be able to really screw us over.

[highlander_UW]

For sure this isn't the first time a politician will have supported something they're against in order to be reelected...but how can any rational person vote for such a condescending, cynical politician?

[SunkenCiv]

I don’t believe so, but maybe she is. If memory serves (and nowadays, it doesn’t always) Sheehan dropped out during the primary campaign. Too bad, that. And to further screw up the vote, we need to recruit and support a Moslem candidate who advocates Sharia law be imposed on SF, California, and the nation.

[pabianice]

You realize that all of the doom-and-gloom that people predicted if Democrats won Congress has yet to materialize, don't you?

All they need is 9 more senators and Obama as president. That's ten people.