'Dirty Deal' Hatched By Robert Byrd linking ANWAR to Steel Legacy Bill

ABC's News Daily Political Tip Sheet 'The Note' and Wall Street Journal ^ | April 10, 2002 | Mark Halperin and Elizabeth Winter

[codebreaker]

Energy/The Economy

The Washington Post's Allen notes in a brief that while Bush suggested to the Wall Street Journal that he may consider lowering the gas tax, 'aides says he has no plans to pursue it.'

The Wall Street Journal says that Venezuela's instability is seen (today) as a bigger threat than the Middile East, re:oil prices.

The Journal also says that a 'dirty deal' is being hatched between steel state Senators and ANWAR supporters to marry a steel legacy cost bill with an ANWAR exploration provision in the Senate energy debate

[codebreaker]

The King of Pork milking every last drop out of ANWAR that he can.

[hchutch]

Right now, energy independence is vital. If we have to cut a deal on steel to do it, then so be it.

[codebreaker]

Just Robert Byrd doing what he always does, taking the maxium advantage of the taxpayers with legislation that does not require pork.

[Maedhros]

BUFFOON LAMPOON: "Bob Byrd, An Old Klansman" (Tom Ridge) [Leveridge, "Roast Beef of Old England"]

[hchutch]

Perhaps, but if we get a version of ANWR through the Senate, then we have the conference committee. First, let's get ANWR open for exploration, and see how much oil is there. I think the high-end estimates are a little conservative, myself.

Plus there are other offshore areas we could explore. We need the oil.

[joeyman]

I just wish this article would have said what exactly that Steel Legacy is. At any rate, since free trade has really become state sponsered trade, I wouldn't mind keeping our remaining steel factories here...before America becomes completely deindustrialized.

[codebreaker]

This isn't an oblique filibuster attempt is it?

[galt-jw]

The folks in Wva must be particulary thick. The poorest state in the nation, and they re elect byrd. Gee, senator, you uns have done such a great job keepin us hill folk barefoot, toothless and poor, Im a gonna vote fer you again. HEE, HAW.

[codebreaker]

Its health care relief for retired steel workers..sounds expensive

[codebreaker]

Isn't every other landmark in West Virgina named after Senator/ KKK member?

[hchutch]

Dunno, it could help us out in another way. All the retired steelworkers in PA, OH, and WV could be swayed our way.

If we can win in PA, the Dems will have a much harder time winning presidential elections.

[mountaineer]

This has nothing to do with energy independence or saving America's steel industry. Sen. Pork wants us taxpayers to pay for health insurance for retired steelworkers and make sure they don't lose one little dime of their retirement benefits, now that their former employers - e.g., LTV, Wheeling-Pitt - are going down the economic toilet. The use of "legacy" is intentionally misleading.

Here's more nonsense on this topic from our other dimwitted senator, John D. Rockefeller IV:

One day after President Bush announced his Section 201 remedies, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) told the President that more work needs to be done if the embattled U.S. steel industry is going to survive. Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Steel Caucus, told President Bush that while he appreciates his efforts on 201 remedies, the future of the U.S. steel industry is still at serious risk until the problem of legacy costs – or health care for retired steelworkers – is resolved. press release.

Yes, every damn building, bridge, road, outhouse, doghouse and whorehouse in W.Va. is named after Fiddlin' Bobby Byrd. He's coming to my little town in May to dedicate the college's health center (infirmary), also named after him. Thanks folks, you all paid for it!

[mountaineer]

Thanks for your kind words. Please remember that it was West Virginia voters who gave George W. Bush the last 5 electoral votes he needed, otherwise we'd have President Earth-tone Poof in the White House.

[OldFriend]

WVA voted Bush this past election. First time they went Republican in a long long time.

[hchutch]

I'm talking about trying to lock up Pennsylvania for the GOP. If we do that, then the electoral math is strongly in our favor for 2004.

[vrwinger]

Cletus couldn't have said it better himself... (He may have too many teeth, however...)

[codebreaker]

If the costs are prohibitive, could this be an attempt to kill it VIA conference committee?

[codebreaker]

They may have to pay him off with the Senate as is.

[justshutupandtakeit]

I don't believe W.V. is the nation's poorest state.

[joeyman]

Well I wonder what the numbers are. How much would it add to the cost of a barrel of oil produced domestically and balance that against the cost of keeping US Troops overseas. It may be a bargin.