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
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
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.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « 1 … 3 4 5 6 7 [8] 9 10 11 12 13 »
This is a great opportunity for the GOP.
From now until November, they can show how America was burning under high gas prices and a deficient energy policy while the Democrats relaxed at their sophisticated vacation spots. Hammer the message enough times and the American people will come to believe the Democrats couldn’t care less about the people.
Nero fiddling while Rome burns. Perfect advertising, if the GOP goes for it.
newton on August 1, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Call Harry Reid’s Office at 202-224-3542
Califemme on August 1, 2008 at 5:23 PM
You’re not supposed to listen to radio or watch TV at work??? Uh Oh.
AverageJoe on August 1, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Hope you feel better, btw. Stomach bugs are the worst.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:23 PM
NO, DAMMIT!
*sigh*
MadisonConservative on August 1, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Call Nancy Pelosi’s Office NOW at 202-225-0100
Califemme on August 1, 2008 at 5:24 PM
LOL! Great image, and not inaccurate. That’s what the internet is for.
aero on August 1, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Call Harry Reid’s Office NOW at 202-224-3542
Califemme on August 1, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Oh no you didn’t!
Immolate on August 1, 2008 at 5:24 PM
I don’t respond to comments telling me about organ enlargement.
MadisonConservative on August 1, 2008 at 5:25 PM
i heard the fox producers comments and didn’t interpret them the same way. he said that the last day of any session is sort of like the last day of high school..pranks and what not. he didn’t compare what the GOP is doing to flooding the toilets to my recollection. i think that was a bad rap.
DrW on August 1, 2008 at 5:25 PM
well it was fun while it lasted…….. time for happy hour
luckybogey on August 1, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Wait–why would it be over? That makes no sense. If Shaddegg was smart enough to start this, they are smart enough to not just go home like that. Maybe rotate out a few people, I can get.
Vanceone on August 1, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Well that bites. Get us thinking they are going to do something, just slink away.
cozmo on August 1, 2008 at 5:25 PM
aero - you have a link? I just checked politico myself and it doesn’t mention the withdrawal.
OmegaPaladin on August 1, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Thanx. I’m hungry for lunch, but am afraid I’ll feel worse.
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 5:25 PM
It was nice while it lasted. Guess they wanted to get on with their vacations too.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Do I get comment 700?
Crimeny. Finally, someone is doing something. I knew that since 2006, we just had to wait until the dimocraps hang themselves.
Mazztek on August 1, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Twitter those guys right back in there. You can’t jump off the run-away frieght train and then pop back on after a short nap…
Immolate on August 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM
I’ve lived a lot of history in my time.
1. Watched the guys walk on the moon live.
2. Fought (and stayed alive) in a historical war. (Nam).
3. Watched live the assassination of JFK and MLK.
4. Read the news about “Sputnik” and “Spootnic” while it was happening.
5. Danced in “Disco” bars like an idiot. (and I was HOT then).
6. And more and more and more.
7. Participated in “Rep” revolt in congress with the HA Gang today.
Thanks.
1GooDDaDDy on August 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Ah, beat me to it.
OmegaPaladin on August 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Saltines, and flat clear soda.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM
I’m guessing the capitol police had something to do with it. I wish the Repubs had forced a visible showdown with them, though.
Or maybe Pres. Bush called and promised to call Congress into special session, which would mean they accomplished the goal of their protest. That’s what they were asking for, after all.
aero on August 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM
They might as well go home. This will indeed be forgotten by tomorrow.
Especially if whiny little geeks like Hannity think it’s more important to babble about Ludacris than what’s happening in DC right now.
And ABC Radio — they’re on the local feed for Hannity here reported a dozen Repubs resisted Nancy-poo’s adjournment, and that’s all they said.
MrScribbler on August 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Thanx for the clarification. It makes a difference. FOXNews needs to be all over this.
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM
inflate here, inflate now, no jackrabbit starts!
DrW on August 1, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Why would they end this when they were JUST getting the momentum?
Govgirl on August 1, 2008 at 5:28 PM
twitter.com/petehoekstra: Steven Wolf/Novi,Mi. I got him/family on floor about 4 pm. At 5. His response. What an awesome experience. That’s from someone who was there
Immolate on August 1, 2008 at 5:28 PM
No yummy Chinese? :-)
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 5:29 PM
You want to feel better, right? Skip the Chinese.
Well, sticky rice might be okay.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Aw gee, I was thinking I was more like Lily White, Intrepid Girl Reporter.
But, ants on a dropped lollipop, probably more accurate.
Lily on August 1, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Yes he did. I have TIVO and just went back and listened again to the whole segment. He called it the “Parliamentary equivalent” of a high school prank like flooding the toilets…
But Heather Nauert was fine.
Buy Danish on August 1, 2008 at 5:29 PM
I assumed you were female.
upinak on August 1, 2008 at 5:30 PM
I will NEVER give up my jackrabbit starts. They will have to pry the stick shift out of cold dead fingers.
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 5:30 PM
You know, I had that feeling too. I have no idea, though.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:31 PM
I’m afraid to ask how you reached that conclusion.
MadisonConservative on August 1, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Nah, you’ll just be hungry again in an hour.
Mazztek on August 1, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Same as everyone assumes I am male I guess. LOL!
upinak on August 1, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Exactly. Sometimes, it’s fun to pretend to be a race car driver.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:31 PM
We needed Leonidas there; “No Retreat! No Surrender!”
Star20 on August 1, 2008 at 5:31 PM
They went on until 5 PM? All they needed was a couple of extra hours so the major news programs begin.
Over? Did you say “over”? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
What happened to when the going gets tough, the tough get going. What happened to the revived republicans we were witnessing just before? Where’s the spirit? Where’s the guts, huh?
AverageJoe on August 1, 2008 at 5:32 PM
………… Now who would that be? No mention of the Palamino?
Now we have the events of today……… Stay in the fight Republicans, stay in the fight!
Seven Percent Solution on August 1, 2008 at 5:32 PM
This is ridiculous. There is no confirmation as to their status?
Rogue Traveler on August 1, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Been a banner Day! “The One” & “House Revolt” Now I am off to happy hour to anger my lib friends with all my happiness.
~B
Brian on August 1, 2008 at 5:32 PM
i stand corrected, yet, even AP called it a ‘transparent stunt’ up top, right?
DrW on August 1, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Hoekstra Tweet:
Fixin’ ta tweet Rep. Hoekstra asking them to stay.
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 5:32 PM
I’d say let’s trade usernames, but I like mine, dammit!
MadisonConservative on August 1, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Sadly, this will be quickly forgotten by the general public.
arteest on August 1, 2008 at 5:33 PM
I’m like 0 and 1 million when it comes to that. It’s not that you sound female, maybe it’s the Madison. I know it’s a city, but it’s a girl’s name too.
Giving up now.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Unlikely the networks would have covered it. *sigh*
RushBaby on August 1, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Is this a day only deal or will they start over again on Monday? Two Republican congressman down here that need to be involved.
Cindy Munford on August 1, 2008 at 5:34 PM
I just got home from work and heard about this. It is really something. Can Bush call them back if Pelosi refuses to do it? She is the Speaker of the House. Does a president have to have a reason for doing something like that?
Terrye on August 1, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Jackrabbit starts? You mean like the dems getting out of DC?
oakpack on August 1, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Tweet from me:
I will tweet again with thanx too
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Take a quick look at my dormant blog. Might help. ;)
MadisonConservative on August 1, 2008 at 5:34 PM
He is.
wccawa on August 1, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Duh, Anna. :palm to forehead:
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Harry and Nancy are lying scum.
marklmail on August 1, 2008 at 5:35 PM
I tweeted:
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 5:35 PM
At least I’m not a tranny.
MadisonConservative on August 1, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Me, too!
Nichevo on August 1, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Happy to assist.
wccawa on August 1, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Naaaa I like mine to much. I have a few names people know me by.. and this is one of them.
But hey, I am thinking about doing a blog on ANWR and to help the Drill Here Drill Now crowd. Wanna help, you have a WAY better way of talking then I do. Maybe that is why people think I am male and you are .. ahh err. email me @ drill_anwr@yahoo.com when you have a moment. Maybe we can work on something. And that goes for anyone else who wants to help. Americans for Drilling Project!
upinak on August 1, 2008 at 5:36 PM
At least I got the Madison part right.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Anticlimactic. :-(
aero on August 1, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Dude, you are ABOUT to offend the conservative tranny vote. And as you know, McLame can’t win without them.
wccawa on August 1, 2008 at 5:37 PM
I would actually. Thank you.
Esthier on August 1, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Only until November 4, then most of them turn back into pumpkins.
MB4 on August 1, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Okay, I just got done with meetings and some errands. Could someone summarize these 600+ comments to catch me up here? :)
Dusty on August 1, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Very appreciated. And you might want to take that phishing site out of your name.
MadisonConservative on August 1, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Fixed it :-)
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 5:38 PM
twitter.com/johnculberson: @zaren Then lets get started now! Just drilling will bring prices down right away - then we need to invest in new technology like nano/solar
Immolate on August 1, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Peace, ma’am. Let us grieve the sudden loss of fortitude of the GOP in kinship.
MadisonConservative on August 1, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Doesn’t matter. You know they’re all Geraldo lovers.
MadisonConservative on August 1, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Wow, is this one of the hottest HA threads ever? What was the hottest?
carbon_footprint on August 1, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Heritage’s Robert Bluey just got escorted by the building by Capitol Police. Perhaps that (the Police) has something to do with them shutting down for the day? He also said he talked to some tourists who got caught up in the action. “This was way better than the White House.”
amerpundit on August 1, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Summary:
Hell no, We wont Go!!
Hell no, We wont Go!!
House of the people!!
Drill Now, drill often!!
We are staying until allowed to vote!!
Oh, it 5 PM….ok Nevermind. See’ya.
AverageJoe on August 1, 2008 at 5:40 PM
I can’t when I have my kids in the car. My daughter is like a little old lady, the worst backseat driver ever. Chews me out if I go through a yellow light. Childless in the Passat, I’m so mentally on the autobahn though.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:40 PM
Well you see…ah…the Repubs…I mean…congress went on vacation then the Repubs…
Oh never mind.
1GooDDaDDy on August 1, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Is that hatchet sharpened?
upinak on August 1, 2008 at 5:41 PM
My friends... Geraldo is a great man.
wccawa on August 1, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Maybe his mom and dad are still waiting until he is older to tell him about the birds and the bees.
MB4 on August 1, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Man, I am quite bummed to see this thing end so quickly. Unless they got kicked out, but they’d have twittered that by now.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Twitterers, include hashtag #dontgo in your tweets.
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23dontgo
ganeshpuri89 on August 1, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Typical polictical garbage. Quick stunt then back to normal do nothing activities. Nothing new here. The show was quick and non productive. Keep up the lousy job policticians. It’s all you know how to do.
WildBillK on August 1, 2008 at 5:42 PM
It’s hard to have decent coverage without lights and cameras. Nevertheless, Hannity will be all over this tonight. It’s just too bad that talk radio will have to wait until Monday.
Personally, I’d love to hear interviews from the tourists in the gallery who were cheering them on - that would be totally awesome.
And please, those of you who are now whining that they didn’t stay, can you please cool your jets? It sounds really ungrateful and unreasonable.
Buy Danish on August 1, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Some of the debate threads were fast and fun, maybe not this hot tho!
RushBaby on August 1, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Thanks Buy danish. It was awesome! I haven’t had so much fun this side of a porn site… well anyway it’s been fun!
Immolate on August 1, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Amen sister. My son would ask me if I was speeding! He liked to go fast though. Just trying to bust my chops, I guess. Now he is 19 and has a motorcycle. It’s helped my prayer life :-)
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Some Politico commenters seem interested in going to DC and staging a public protest as a follow-up to this stunt. But they want to camp there for all five weeks, I think. I can’t imagine that there are enough unemployed conservatives to make a difference.
aero on August 1, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Wouldn’t that be awesome if one of them got a cell phone cam taken!
upinak on August 1, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Video of tourist cheering the Reps as they were excorted out… now that would be gold.
AverageJoe on August 1, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Democrats adjourned the House until September without allowing Republican proposals to be voted on and without addressing drilling. Republicans stayed on the House floor, in the dark and without mics, for hours giving speeches and talking about gas prices.
Some GOP members got off their planes as they were about to take off and came in in shorts, carrying luggage, to take part. A Congressman temporarily hacked the public address system, but it went down a bit later. A call went out for people to bring in megaphones and pizza was ordered. Filming wasn’t allowed inside, so most information was carried out via Twitter until Rep. Culberson set up a live feed.
The House quickly filled with cheering aides, members of the public, and others. Speeches were apparently fiery, a GOP Congressman played out the role of a Democrat, and speakers walked up and down the aisles.
This went on for hours.
amerpundit on August 1, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Pelosi, saw that with a whole day of speeches on energy in store for the last day of session, nothing good would come of it for the Dems. Forced vote to recess for vacation.
Repubs refused to leave, she shut off lights and cameras forcing Repubs to twitter their way into the news.
*FOX breaking news* Toddlers still missing!!!
Repubs figure they have made their point and go home after finally getting CSPAN 2 to show some clandestine cellphone footage of the event. Lucky tourists get a chance to stand on the House floor with Repubs in their brief moment of guts and glory.
Lily on August 1, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Buy Danish on August 1, 2008 at 5:42 PM
All that talk about staying until something happened, and then they promptly leave without anything really happening… it’s a touch disappointing. Not ungrateful, really, just wondering what’s going on.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Capitol police escorting folks out now.
http://twitter.com/RobertBluey
ganeshpuri89 on August 1, 2008 at 5:45 PM
http://twitter.com/RobertBluey
RushBaby on August 1, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Republicans messed up by quitting early. FOXNews had just started an internet stream of coverage. They were just getting traction.
Ordinary1 on August 1, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Technically, I’m unemployed, being a SAHM. My kids would destroy half of Washington, though, before the first week was up. Guess I have to sit this one out.
It would be nice to see some people on our side protesting… smell better too.
Anna on August 1, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Comment pages: « 1 … 3 4 5 6 7 [8] 9 10 11 12 13 »