Tough Senate battle likely on energy bill [but Snowe, Collins, McCain may cave]

The Baltimore Sun ^ | 2009-07-05 | Jim Tankersley

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Washington -- President Barack Obama's landmark bill on energy and global warming squeaked through the House this week only after the White House made dozens of concessions to coal, manufacturing and other interests. As the battle moves to the Senate, Obama faces demands for more concessions, including to open the coastline to offshore oil and gas drilling.

The Senate will take up issues that were glossed over or omitted from the House bill. Among them is giving the government sweeping new powers to overcome local objections and approve thousands of miles of new transmission lines to carry electricity to coastal cities from wind turbines in the Upper Midwest and solar power generators in the Southwest.

With Republicans forming a near-solid opposition and many Democrats concerned about the impact of parts of the bill on constituents, the prospect is for a long, tough battle.

. . . . .

Only a few Republicans appear open to emissions limits, notably two moderates from Maine - Sens. Susan M. Collins and Olympia J. Snowe - and Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who championed emissions limits in his presidential campaign last year.

[rabscuttle385]

McCain-Lieberman redux.

The Juan McCain Truth File. "I have great respect for Al Gore." —John McCain, October 2, 2008 FR Keywords: mccaintruthfile, mcqueeg, mcbama Please tag all relevant threads with the aforementioned keywords. This can be a very high-volume ping list at times. To join the ping list: FReepmail rabscuttle385 with the subject line add  mccaintruthfile. (Stop getting pings by sending the subject line drop mccaintruthfile.)   Republican Commissar’s Warning: By joining this ping list, you may be subjected to the delusional rants and ramblings of McCainiacs, of "moderate" Republicans, of pragmatic conservatives resigned to voting for the lesser of two Democrats, and of countless RNC shills who simply want to meet a new overlord.

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[gov_bean_ counter]

Enter Sarah Palin stage right.

The new wildcard in the energy debate.

[AmericanSphinx71]

If McCain caves, he is even dumber than I think he is. He is up for re-election and is facing a Conservative challanger in the primary.

But, as we’ve learned in the past, never expect common sense from John McCain or any of his “Gang of 14” cast of characters.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Wonder if Sarah is going to visit that state on behalf of McCain's challenger.

[AmericanSphinx71]

That would be outstanding! Knowing Sarah, I wouln’t be surprised if she did. She’s a woman true to her convictions and beliefs. After the way McCain treated her during and after the campaign, Sarah owes him no favors.

[Dustbunny]

This is scary!!

[phrogphlyer]

She owes him something.

[element92]

Bush threw Newt’s Congressional
majority away for nothing.

now, we have all the problems of a minority

[freekitty]

I can’t believe anyone that loves America would cheat this country and hurt the American people. It’s just plain wrong.

[Daisyjane69]

The flippin’ usual suspects. Good grief.

[Daisyjane69]

I had an evil thought last night. Was hoping that after her resignation that she’d buy a home in AZ and run AGAINST McCain. LOL

I’m a brat, I know. ;)

[gov_bean_ counter]

On this one I declare you "not guilty" of having an evil thought.

:)

[Daisyjane69]

*wink wink*

At least you know my evil mind. heh ;)

[NewHampshireDuo]

She owes him (McCain) something.

Yeah, a lesson or two.

I'd love to see Sarah take on the twisted sisters of Maine. I'd bet she could draw a huge crowd in Knox county.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

But what about those in the U.S. Senate who have said more than once that this is DOA in the U.S. Senate?

[Dahoser]

Of course Snowe, Collins and McInsane will cave and they’ll be joined by Cryin’ George, Lindsay Grahamnesty and Mel Martinez. (Orrin Hatch would too, but he’s saving his backstabbing for Sotomayor and his good friend Ted’s socialized medicine bill.)

[Wilhelm Tell]

If we are not in a depression already, this so-called energy bill will make sure the recession becomes a deep, long-lasting depression.

[reformedliberal]

This bill will result in a collapse of the United States of America.