Blackout: Pelosi turns off the lights as GOP demands action on drilling; Update: Video added; Update: Protest ends — with “God Bless America”
posted at 2:00 pm on August 1, 2008 by Allahpundit
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A transparent stunt but an awfully shrewd one. The cameras are off so we’re forced to rely on Politico for running updates. What a scene:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Democrats adjourned the House and turned off the lights and killed the microphones, but Republicans are still on the floor talking gas prices.
Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and other GOP leaders opposed the motion to adjourn the House, arguing that Pelosi’s refusal to schedule a vote allowing offshore drilling is hurting the American economy. They have refused to leave the floor after the adjournment motion passed at 11:23 a.m. and are busy bashing Pelosi and her fellow Democrats for leaving town for the August recess…
“This is the people’s House,” Rep, Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) said. “This is not Pelosi’s politiburo.”
Democratic aides were furious at the GOP stunt, and reporters were kicked out of the Speaker’s Lobby, the space next to the House floor where they normally interview lawmakers.
“You’re not covering this, are you?” complaing one senior Democratic aide. Another called the Republicans “morons” for staying on the floor…
The scene on the floor is kind of crazy. Normally, members are not allowed to speak directly to the visitor galleries, or visitors are prohibited from cheering. But in this case, the members are walking up and down on the floor during their speeches, standing on cheers, the visitors are cheering loudly. Some members even brought in visitors, who are now sitting on the House floor in the seats normally filled by lawmakers, cheering and clapping. Very funny.
GOP whip Roy Blunt issued a statement asking all Republican House members who are still in town to come to the floor. Exit question: What are the odds that someone there will be smart enough to fetch a camcorder from one of the offices near the chamber and record this for YouTubing? Eric Cantor, the deputy whip, has shown some ‘Net savvy in the past. Chop chop.
Update: And no sooner do I write those words than I get a tip that Rep. John Culberson is taping — and Twittering! — outside the chamber. Stay tuned. Click the image to watch.
Update: The boss is pleased, especially with the use of new media to get the word out.
My main post on the House GOP revolt is here and I’ll keep updating it. But I’m breaking out a separate post on the Republicans’ very savvy use of Twitter to circumvent the Democrat blackout and overcome the absence of C-SPAN cameras– and their outreach to conservative blogs to spread the word.
This is the change we’ve been waiting for, Beltway GOP.
Finally!
Update: Pete Hokestra says Capitol Hill security is ready to shut down the party promptly at 4:30 lest the GOP reap any more goodwill from this than they already have. Meanwhile, Politico’s still updating fast and furiously. Money quote:
Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the dimly lit chamber is a “vision of the future by the Democrat Party: The lights are out, there’s no power, and the air conditioning is gonna go off soon.”
Update: It’s all over as of 5 p.m., carried off to the tune of “God Bless America.” NBC says even congressmen not known for oratory caught the fee-vah in the chamber. Says Mike Pence, “We will be here through the break.”
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Comment pages: « 1 2 3 [4] 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 13 »
Great idea…Called ‘em both, they were very appreciative!
RushBaby on August 1, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Can’t find a word about it on the boob tube.
misterpeasea on August 1, 2008 at 3:49 PM
They can’t really do that, can they?
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Foxnews and MSNBC: Caylee Anthony.
CNN: Paparazzi.
WTF????????????????
BallisticBob on August 1, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Not a good move on the majority’s part. Bad pr move. Good for GOP, though.
ganeshpuri89 on August 1, 2008 at 3:50 PM
MSNBC.COM lead video: Eclipse delights millions in Siberia, China
Wade on August 1, 2008 at 3:50 PM
I just sent a message to my Congressman that if he isn’t there, he better get there, ASAP.
LegendHasIt on August 1, 2008 at 3:50 PM
If that were the case wouldn’t they be standing outside the chambers speculating on whats going on inside, waiting for sources?
Lily on August 1, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Wow. That could be a HUGE tactical mistake by Pelosi.
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 3:50 PM
God, I hope they keep going. Camp out on the steps if necessary!
Mynuet on August 1, 2008 at 3:50 PM
FOX NEWS FINALLY COVERING!
Vincenzo on August 1, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Called it.
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/01/blackout-pelosi-turns-off-the-lights-as-gop-demands-action-on-drilling/comment-page-1/#comment-1277683
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 1, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Hoekstra just said Pelosi is gonna send in the goon squads–they are going to use police to shut them down. 4:30 Eastern, I guess.
Won’t THAT make great theatre?
Vanceone on August 1, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Where in the Hell is Fox? Let Greta find the missing child.
luckybogey on August 1, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Check this out.
CSPAN has the story on their home page with link to Culberson’s Twitter!
BacaDog on August 1, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Fox just mentioned… Probably took so long because it is during Shep’s broadcast….
Swinehound on August 1, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Hoekstra’s twitter:
“I just spoke. Ds believe this is their House. They’re wrong. It’s the people’s. To bad some have forgotten. Vote on energy now!”
Nineball on August 1, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Dear Congressman,
KINDLY support the GOP UNITY at this very moment as the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has slammed the door on Americans demanding an up or down vote NOW in Congress to allow domestic oil production. From the House to the Senate, Republicans need to stand together and get the media on board the American NONPARTISAN effort: PUMP, PRODUCE, PROSPER!
Hold a press conference to bring our nation’s attention to the Capitol for the journalists to report how much Republicans care and are DOING for the well being of Americans at this moment. Our national security and economic strength rely on our self sufficient domestic energy production.
Thank you for your commitment allow Americans to produce our own energy today that will bring about our national security and strong economy. RENEW DRILLING FOR OIL!
maverick muse on August 1, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Hey Shep just mentioned the House.
“One party SCREAMING, figurativly, more after the break”
now its commercials
Lily on August 1, 2008 at 3:52 PM
MSM - Bury bury bury bury bury!
Fox - Ooooo! A tabloid-y murder story that will never be solved! MUST REPORT! SHINY!!!!
wearyman on August 1, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Damn, I wish I was near there.
BallisticBob on August 1, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Please, oh please let them try!
1GooDDaDDy on August 1, 2008 at 3:53 PM
I can’t get Foxnews.com to load.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 3:53 PM
I wonder if they will be wearing their “Brown Shirts”?…
Swinehound on August 1, 2008 at 3:53 PM
FOXNEWS, NOW!
BallisticBob on August 1, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Sheps on it. Finally
1GooDDaDDy on August 1, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Finally getting some coverage of this on FNC.
AZCoyote on August 1, 2008 at 3:54 PM
What’s he saying?
dish on August 1, 2008 at 3:54 PM
I call BS! I don’t think you give a [bleep] about the environment. If you did, you would be screaming to increase midwest drilling since the vast majority of “environment impact” occurs during oceanic transport in tankers.
dominigan on August 1, 2008 at 3:54 PM
how great woudl it be if fox news got in their with some of their satellite phones they used in iraq for video?
Vincenzo on August 1, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Twitter is over capacity. Too many tweets. Heh.
Immolate on August 1, 2008 at 3:54 PM
FNC just went to it.
cozmo on August 1, 2008 at 3:55 PM
When I first read this on Michelle’s blog I thought, “Why is Mike Rogers speaking into Pete Hoekstra’s shorts?
shick on August 1, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Fox couldn’t get any cameras into the chamber, even with Roy Blunt.
amerpundit on August 1, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Rock on GOP … get used to that “cajone” feeling again.
darwin on August 1, 2008 at 3:55 PM
C-SPAN is owned by the cable networks not by the government.
However, the House and Senate dictate what C-SPAN can and cannot show.
pocomoco on August 1, 2008 at 3:55 PM
You are one lucky dude! Calls made. Go Pubbies!
Nichevo on August 1, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Sean Hannity on the radio in a few minutes. We’ll see if he’s on it.
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 3:56 PM
johnculberson on twitter: 2104 following.
Immolate on August 1, 2008 at 3:56 PM
I called Mr. Boehner’s office and voiced my support for his decision not to leave the floor. They were indeed appreciative . . . I hope as many people call as possible.
rplat on August 1, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Send Greta to Aruba to get coverage…
Wade on August 1, 2008 at 3:56 PM
“Shame! Shame! Capital Hill police working under strict orders to shut Capital down at 430 pm today. Speaker Pelosi wants this shut down now”
-pete hoekstra
marc@hubsandspokes on August 1, 2008 at 3:56 PM
WAHOOOOOOOO - It is about time. GO HOUSE REPUBLICANS!!!!!! I agree with those who have cited Mr. Smith Goes to Washington - there is a reason that I show that film to my government class every year - it is an example of leadership as it should be.
Govgirl on August 1, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Shep just talked about it, dismissivly… about 40 seconds… then went back to a missing girl story.
Gah.
Romeo13 on August 1, 2008 at 3:56 PM
This is exciting. I wonder what will happen when the cops show up?
jewells45 on August 1, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Maybe she’ll find the Bermuda triangle.
BallisticBob on August 1, 2008 at 3:57 PM
nothing on C-span
luckybogey on August 1, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Shep: But NOTHING can COME of this I mean the House is CLOSED isn’t it?
Poor Shep, for a minute there he was really worried he might have to cover this. Thank goodness there is another little blond girl missing so he can move on now after the break.
Lily on August 1, 2008 at 3:57 PM
http://www.cspan.org/
funky chicken on August 1, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Hoekstra says capitol police are under strict orders from Pelosi to shut down the capitol at 4:30.
aero on August 1, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Culberson twitter: “Cong Todd Platts of Penn up now - he was driving home heard about this and turned around and is here calling for Congress to get to work”
Nineball on August 1, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Wonder what Hussein Obama thinks about this change?
Wade on August 1, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Culberson:
amerpundit on August 1, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Let our Congress Tweet:
http://letourcongresstweet.org/
ganeshpuri89 on August 1, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Pelosi heavy handed tactics will backfire on the Democrats big time! The Republicans have the people on their side. Now that the story is breaking, Democrat pettiness will make it much worse for them.
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Does anyone know of a head count there?
BallisticBob on August 1, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Thank you! Called them both and they appreciated it!
MadisonConservative on August 1, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Can they do that?
Darksean on August 1, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Speech and Debate clause…. its a direct violation of the Constitution.
Romeo13 on August 1, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Who is enforcing the no cameras rule? Congress isn’t officially in session. Does the rule apply when Congress isn’t in session?
aero on August 1, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Maybe they will drag the Lawmakers away like those nuttyrooters…….. That would be RICH!
Swinehound on August 1, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Not exactly, but there are quite a few. Culberson says the House and Gallery are “full of Americans”.
amerpundit on August 1, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Culberson Tweet:
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 4:00 PM
If they do shut it down, I hope some news channel is there with their cameras to show the police leading citizens and legislators out of the “people’s house” under orders from the house leader.
BacaDog on August 1, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Fox News radio leading with it again…
dish on August 1, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Anyone who posts a Terry’s Texas Rangers pic is okay in my book.
3 Cheers for Texas!
The Ugly American on August 1, 2008 at 4:00 PM
the gop must make the police carry them out
luckybogey on August 1, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Better question aero: Does the constitution apply when Congress isn’t offically in session.
shick on August 1, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Shep just apologized to the guy talking about the other little blond girl.
“Sorry we didn’t have more time for you we took too much time with the other thing.”
I am so glad that 40 seconds is too much time for covering congress. Although, to be fair, on any other day I would agree.
Lily on August 1, 2008 at 4:02 PM
W00t!!!!!!!!!!!1
Ohh yea!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chakra Hammer on August 1, 2008 at 4:03 PM
The Speaker’s position has that much power?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 1, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Shep is such a tool.
Wait, no, a tool is actually useful.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 4:03 PM
If Capital Police try to push them out, they better record them on film saying by what authority they have to get them out.
shick on August 1, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Pete Hoekstra Tweet:
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Hoekstra:
amerpundit on August 1, 2008 at 4:04 PM
why does queen pelosi have the right to shut down c-span……. we the people are paying for it……..
luckybogey on August 1, 2008 at 4:04 PM
I do hope Pelosi does this–orders the police to carry out the GOP. The MSM would have to cover it–and how can you possibly defend actually forcing legislators to leave the chamber?
Pelosi would be insane to do that–but the Dem’s Soviet admiration society would mean they would do it. Please oh Please do it, Nancy! Absolutely do it! Better yet, throw them in jail! And see what happens to your majority this fall!
Vanceone on August 1, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Finally, something on Fox.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 4:05 PM
The speaker probably can shut down the building, but she can’t prevent it from looking tyrannical and awful, and being terrible PR.
Fox News running a bit of audio from the floor now…
marc@hubsandspokes on August 1, 2008 at 4:05 PM
obviously not a peek from cbs news at the top of the hour
luckybogey on August 1, 2008 at 4:05 PM
just sent note to drudge to put up the red flashing light
luckybogey on August 1, 2008 at 4:06 PM
President Bush needs to go to Capitol Hill…..NOW!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 1, 2008 at 4:06 PM
I wouldn’t. While I feel for the families of the victims, 24/7 coverage of stories like this don’t help anyone. The kid is dead, the mother is in custody, the story is worth 30 minutes TOPS over a 1 day period. Anything more than that is tabloid.
Unfortunately, FNC has a bad case of tabloiditis when it comes to DLBG’s (Dead Little Blonde Girls). Oh, and I count kidnapped ones in there too. Because, let’s be honest, do they EVER turn up alive?
Shep needs to get on the stick, drop the DLBG story and talk abut stuff that will affect the course of history!
wearyman on August 1, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Sweet. I used to live in West Michigan. Pete Hoekstra is good man.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 1, 2008 at 4:08 PM
If they get kicked out, they could continue on the capitol steps, or in front of the Washington Monument or something. Then there could be cameras.
At least FNC played audio.
aero on August 1, 2008 at 4:08 PM
C-span is running a caption that says “no TV coverage allowed” of the Republicans on the floor.
Govgirl on August 1, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Time to make these leftists pay!
elduende on August 1, 2008 at 4:09 PM
The Dem from Illinois that was just on Fox News is an idiot.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Members participating in the spontaneous uprising included Reps. Roy Blunt, John Boehner, Michael Burgess, John Campbell, Eric Cantor, Shelly Moore Capito, John Carter, Mike Conaway, John Culberson, Charlie Dent, Jeff Fortenberry, Virginia Foxx, Louie Gohmert, Pete Hoekstra, Duncan Hunter, Thaddeus McCotter, Mike Pence, Tom Price, Ted Poe, Adam Putnam, Bill Sali, John Shadegg, John Shimkus, Tim Walberg, and Lynn Westmoreland.
Source: John Boehner’s website.
RushBaby on August 1, 2008 at 4:09 PM
REVOLUTION-REVOLUTION-REVOLUTION
now i understand how the crazy libs feels when they are protesting………. feels good baby………
luckybogey on August 1, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Another Dem just told Fox that she wouldn’t allow domestic drilling expansion even if gas cost $10/gallon. The host pointed out that oil companies say it could be brought to our countries within 18 months. She ignored it. She proceeded to bring up T. Boone Pickens. The host said Pickens also wants everything drilled. She moved on to saying the solution is taxing and controlling speculators.
Oy.
amerpundit on August 1, 2008 at 4:10 PM
IRN-USA Radio news did not cover it at the top of the hour news report.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 1, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Jesse is on his way down now to cut off their testicles.
faraway on August 1, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Of course the majority of the media will turn a blind eye while the democrats take off for vacation.
That way this all fades away by Monday, and the media has until September to persuade public opinion for the dems.
By the time they come back Barack will be bouncing off another drug induced DNC Convention Speechorama, and everyone will have forgotten about gas prices.
cntrlfrk on August 1, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Democracy with a Capital “D”
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 4:10 PM
I was just slowly shaking my head the whole time. Even when I hear it straight from the horse’s mouth, it’s still hard to believe that people really think that way.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 4:11 PM
The Dems are outside pumping up their tires.
faraway on August 1, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Can’t someone put a camera on the steps and then folks can come down and talk?
BallisticBob on August 1, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Wow, Democrats attempted to adjourn by an unclear voice vote. People were shouting and the Nos sounded louder than the Aye, but the Democrats claimed the Ayes won anyway.
It was only when Republicans demanded a recorded vote that they were interested in actually finding out who wanted to adjourn.
amerpundit on August 1, 2008 at 4:12 PM
I’m kinda new at all the revolution/ protest stuff.
When do we get nekked??
Seems like the libs always find a way to get nekked.
cntrlfrk on August 1, 2008 at 4:12 PM
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