McConnell: We block what makes the problem worse
posted at 12:20 pm on June 18, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell answered Democratic charges of obstructionism on energy policy on Neil Cavuto’s Fox News Channel show yesterday by pledging to obstruct initiatives that would make the problem worse. Presumably, these objections centered on McConnell’s takedown of Lieberman-Warner, which actually had less to do with that bill than Harry Reid’s broken promise to get more judicial nominations confirmed, which I discussed with Senator McConnell on Monday’s show:
What have the Democrats proposed? An emissions-rationing system and a windfall-profits tax. Both proposals make energy more expensive, not less. Both proposals burden domestic production of oil, not encourage it. Both proposals would lead America deeper into the energy crisis while blathering about renewable solutions that have no practical application for mass production, now or in the near future.
Both Cavuto and McConnell say that they don’t see this as a partisan issue, and until now they’ve been largely correct, but only because Republicans have proven themselves as deaf as Democrats to Americans on the issue of domestic production. Only now have Republicans started to see that championing American production could be a political winner, as patience with environmentalist sensitivities has finally expired under the thundering hooves of runaway price increases. McConnell mentions the polling on this, in which a substantial majority want to allow oil companies to find our own oil rather than beg the Saudis for more of theirs.
If Democrats allow Republicans to take leadership on this issue, they may have some unpleasant surprises in store this November, in an election they should win, expecially at the Congressional level. Americans understand that the real obstruction has been to domestic oil production, not dangerous rationing mechanisms, and that obstruction has gone on for far too long already.
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Thats it, im buying a scooter
SoCalInfidel on June 18, 2008 at 12:25 PM
No they don’t, because they are, by and large, mouthbreathing morons.
If they weren’t, there wouldn’t even be a Democrat party today.
QED.
Misha I on June 18, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Yep. Our members of Congress have mostly given us Democrat-lite on this issue.
amerpundit on June 18, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Scooters are the worst of everything on two wheels–unstable steering, unforgiving suspension, and slow. Get a motorcycle instead. You’ll live longer.
RBMN on June 18, 2008 at 12:33 PM
It’s good that McConnell is doing this. I just hope that he’s concentrating on getting re-elected this year while he’s at it.
its vintage duh on June 18, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Is it just me? I’ve noticed a lot of SUVs driving with the windows down–even in our scorching AZ heat–trying to save gas.
My Honda gets 37 MPG (actual). :)
jgapinoy on June 18, 2008 at 12:36 PM
But scooters have custom made holders for my surfboard…i dont think motorcycles do…but the whole living longer thing is a plus I will have to look into…If Barack Obama lets me :)
SoCalInfidel on June 18, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Thank God the founders gave us national elections every two years. The GOP is finally doing the right thing.
jgapinoy on June 18, 2008 at 12:38 PM
So Cavuto is running for president now?
peacenprosperity on June 18, 2008 at 12:42 PM
May I suggest a Heritage Softail Classic from Harley Davidson?
LimeyGeek on June 18, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Vote Cavuto for General Secretary of the League of Democracies!
jgapinoy on June 18, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I think this is interesting.
This may be the Start of showing the democrats are wringing their hands at this obsession with oil they have and what they can get out of it.
I have had more then enough friends, family, and others ask me about what is going on with the oil companies and why is it such a political issue. I try to explain that Gas is high for many reasons.
1. Oil Companies are expecting a bill to kill them on taxes and will be raising prices and will make us pay the taxes, because people elect the morons we have in office.
2. Drilling is an issue because the greenies don’t understand all the conservative enviromental laws and regulations that Drillers have to deal with, as well as Oil Companies.
3. People don’t realize the hurdles of drilling, the paperwork involved and the money they have to pay out before they even get to set up anything for drilling.
4. And the fact that commodity and day traders are also pushing prices higher.
5. Federal and State taxes on Gasoline and Diesel are becoming outrageous… but no one is asking what types of taxes are on them. And now it is trickling down to their Electric Bill…. I wonder why!
It isn’t the fact that people can’t understand, it is the fact they are spoon fed one thing and when told differently via someone who works it, they begin to see and ask more questions. I hope people start asking more questions… and soon!
upinak on June 18, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Get a bicycle – i have seen them with “surf racks” here in Hawaii.
HawaiiLwyr on June 18, 2008 at 12:52 PM
The question isn’t “if”, it’s a question of Republicans taking the lead and running with it.
Kini on June 18, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Doesn’t help much with inter-island traffic. ;)
Kini on June 18, 2008 at 1:03 PM
“Is it just me? I’ve noticed a lot of SUVs driving with the windows down–even in our scorching AZ heat–trying to save gas.”
Which might not save gas, or could even cost more gas, depending on how fast those people are driving. Open windows at high speed create a considerable amount of additional wind resistance.
ashowalt on June 18, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Simple, Democrats want high energy prices because they want to save the earth and control the populace. They want more and more mass transit. Mass transit take away peoples freedom. My feeling as to why Americans love there cars is simple, Freedom. Your car gives you the freedom to go where you want,when you want.
Dems don’t like that because they know what is best for us. They will not cut back themselves of course, we all know the game.
Obama said it himself, high energy prices is not the issue, just that it went up to fast.
That speaks for itself and what there true intentions are. Not to bring down the price of energy but to increase it. All the measures they have put forth are indications of that. If Obama becomes president, prices will not go down you can be sure of it.
Alternative energy to bring down prices? I have a feeling it will be just as expensive. Throw off the shackles of oil and put on the shackles of ethanol.
Is it any reason why the Dems don’t want to go Nuke and only want pie in the sky energy fixes? They know better.
jharada on June 18, 2008 at 1:20 PM
I used to ride a bicycle in Hawaii. I no longer live there and no longer have the 30 minute bike route to work. Saved me some gas money and kept my heartrate up.
The day after I left HI I was scraping ice off my windshield thinking, “I’m so stupid!”.
shick on June 18, 2008 at 1:23 PM
I know it is ironic. Yes, you save torque on the engine which saves gas, but at the same time the wind resistance of open windows increases and negates any gas savings.
Tim Burton on June 18, 2008 at 1:25 PM
The democrats want to exacerbate the problems and make them worse (gradually of course so voters do not notice the dems complicity) so they can ‘proclaim’ the solution and gain votes. If the Republicans actually solve the problem, the issue goes away and a new problem needs to be found, developed, and demonized.
Iraq was front and center while things were going bad and gained some seats for the Dems in 2006. When things turned around with the surge, Iraq issues suddenly became quiet and a non issue. If the Republicans could increase US oil production to reduce prices and remove the foreign oil stigma, the Dems would move on to the next issue and no one would take note that the Republicans were actually fixing problems – allowing the focus to move on to other issues. The Dems have NEVER solved an issue and keep complaining until the Republicans grow some teeth and actually do something about it (Welfare reform, tax reductions,Ware on Terror, Iraq Surge etc.)
jerseyman on June 18, 2008 at 1:40 PM
McConnell and other Republicans need to get out on lots of TV shows and argue for drilling, not only on business-friendly Fox but on the MSM shows as well.
They need to counter the argument (dutifully filmed by the MSM) Obama made in his plane that “the most optimistic estimates” would reduce prices “by a few cents a gallon”. Obviously, Obama hasn’t read the most optimistic estimates, or even the average estimates, of oil reserves off the Continental Shelf or shale oil in the Rockies, but somebody needs to call him out on this, loud and clear, on the MSM.
The need to drill, and the available American reserves, are the elephant in the room that the MSM wants to hide. If people see it, there will be more elephants (and fewer donkeys) in Congress and the White House.
Steve Z on June 18, 2008 at 1:43 PM
The Republicans should do a contract with America style Drill Here Drill Now! rally on the Capitol Hill steps pronto.
Iblis on June 18, 2008 at 2:07 PM
This should be a potential game changer for the GOP if only they would pick up the ball and run hard and fast with it. It spawns so many related issues that will appeal to most Americans:
1. Closer to energy independence, especially from hostile nations
2. Defunds those hostile nations
3. Defunds terrorism
4. Keeps US wealth in the US
5. Income to the Treasury from increased leasing of Federal lands would be a boon to government coffers
6. Job growth from exploration, construction
7. Defunding of Arab Sovereign Wealth Funds buying up US assets
8. Reduces the short and long term price of oil, in spite of what the economically illiterate Dems proclaim
9. Strengthens our position on the world stage vis a` vis Iran, Russia, et al.
What do the Dems have in response? Some false claims of potential environmental degradation? Unfortunately for them too much evidence to the contrary exists, i.e. Norway, Gulf of Mexico, North Sea.
Energy is a winner for the GOP if they know how to use it.
DerKrieger on June 18, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Nuclear power is another winner for the GOP. The eco-Marxists like to whine about global warming but don’t care to see their hand in creating the problem by their obstructionism to nuclear. Again, this is an issue that can be used to beat the Dems and their eco puppet masters.
DerKrieger on June 18, 2008 at 2:11 PM
The Dems plan is to “fool most of the people most of the time”. Unfortunately they are too successful with this strategy.
DerKrieger on June 18, 2008 at 2:20 PM
Is it me or does Neil Cavuto look like Eddie Munster in the screencap?
carbon_footprint on June 18, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Indeed, the public will be suddenly quiet about ‘environmental concerns’ when their daily cost of living begins to increase.
Some will deny even swallowing the whole Climate Change craze when it is finally realized to be a scientific joke.
Grafted on June 18, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Not bad. I have been looking to get a Hyundai that gets that kind of mileage; or I should write claims to get that MPG.
carbon_footprint on June 18, 2008 at 2:41 PM
make sure you get a stick shift… it helps too.
upinak on June 18, 2008 at 2:50 PM
True
carbon_footprint on June 18, 2008 at 3:01 PM
It’s just you you stupid idiot!
carbon_footprint on June 18, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Yeah, but I would not advise it. jgapinoy’s Honda gets better gas mileage. Plus you want have to turn around and pick up the parts that vibrate off. (grin)
brtex on June 18, 2008 at 4:09 PM
I’m a Club for Growth member. I think they’re a great lobby. But this is exactly why I do not support using pork alone as a yardstick for deciding who should and should not be targeted in primaries. Mitch is a porker, but he’s effective, and he’s right on target on most issues. Ditto my own rep, who’s also a porker, but effectively gutted Rendell’s plan to toll I-80 (if you’re not from PA, you probably didn’t hear about it).
Reps and Senators like Mitch and Peterson (and there are lots of others), who love their pork but get good things accomplished, need to stay right where they are, not targeted by well-meaning Republicans for defeat.
rightwingprof on June 18, 2008 at 4:13 PM
We medical types call motorcycle riders “organ donors” so yeah, probably not live so long. I’m thinking seriously about buying a hybrid. Stupid oil people.
mjk on June 18, 2008 at 4:29 PM
oops
want = won’t = will not
brtex on June 18, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Are you being sarcastic?
Is it the Oil People (who btw are trying to get you that damned oil) fault? Why don’t you look at your Senator or Congressman on their votes!
The finger can point both ways!
upinak on June 18, 2008 at 5:16 PM
A lot of those “just a few pennies” estimates were made back when gasoline was 79 cents a gallon, maybe ten years ago on the Jersey Shore. At that time, it was not economical to drill in deep water or to go after oil in shale; the price of oil would not pay for the effort. You could only bring a little new oil in. At the current prices, there is a huge amount of oil available. If Congress were to want it, really want it enough to stop bleeding the golden-egg goose and pandering to the NIMBYs and the Nowheres, we could be self-sufficient in about eight years. If you leave the environmental impact statements and the wanton delays built into the laws that require them, you are talking about sixteen to twenty years, allowing for the building of new deepwater rigs and some shipyard expansion to provide them.
Look at what happened to American industry between 1938 and 1944. It’s true that we did enormous environmental damage back then but we know how to avoid it now and our fight is a little less desperate.
Drill, baby, drill.
njcommuter on June 18, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Yeah, but ninety percent of all Harleys ever manufactured are still on the road. The other ten percent made it home. From a Harley rider.
Johan Klaus on June 18, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Been riding since 1955.
Johan Klaus on June 18, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Very well put, Der. Additionally, the dems positions on treating terrorists as criminals in the courts and general lack of spine when it comes to the WOT could be enough to win the presidency – and save congressional seats, if not win a few.
Garnet92 on June 18, 2008 at 7:34 PM
I had to wake up to an editorial in the Houston Comical this morning, Greasing the Wheels. Rooting for Cuba’s drilling 50 miles off the coast of FL because it could make them energy independent and an oil exporter and end our trade embargo with them. Wow, we could buy oil now from Cuba too!
And the kicker for me in the article:
Duh, the US can get their own oil 50 miles off the coast of FL if we could only drill there!
atxcowgirl on June 18, 2008 at 8:09 PM
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