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Bush refuses House GOP request to call special session of Congress on energy

posted at 4:00 pm on August 4, 2008 by Allahpundit
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“We don’t have plans to call Congress into session — it won’t make a difference if Democratic leaders are unwilling to bring up a bill for an up-down vote,” said White House spokesman Tony Fratto.

Republican Study Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) and Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) asked President Bush to convene the special session in an Aug. 1 letter. The same day, House Republicans launched an unusual protest on the House floor urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to call Congress back to work.

“Since Speaker Pelosi has decided not to keep the House in session to allow this vote to take place, we urge you to use the power vested in you by the Constitution to convene an immediate energy special session of Congress,” the letter said…

House aides said that while the president can declare that Congress must sit for an emergency session, he cannot set the agenda – only the leadership of the majority party can do that.

Even if the White House could set the agenda, getting them involved accomplishes two things: It puts Bush’s dirty fingerprints on an issue that’s otherwise golden for the GOP — so golden that MoveOn admits they’re losing this debate — and it lets the Democrats play the victim by complaining about executive overreach. Which makes me think Pence’s and Hensarling’s letter was simply pro forma, a way to show the public how urgent they think the situation is. Besides, congressional Republicans need good press before the election even more desperately than McCain does; anything that can be done (or rather, not done) to leave them alone in the spotlight is worth (not) doing. Even McCain should try to keep some distance, although the way he plays it below, by not only challenging Obama but offering to come off the trail himself, is savvily done. Click the image to watch.

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WRONG Bush Wears the Daddy Pants, this is his Legacy, thats all that’s left of his lame duck Presidency. If he wants to go out, with this “Stain” let him? He is part of the Government just because the Democrats took their ball and went home, doesn’t mean he gets to “Give Up” And I am not a Bubba. There are 3 BRANCHES of GOVERNMENT. So with your logic, one goes on Vacation they should all go on Vacation?

This Congress has about 30 days left till the next President is sworn in next January 2009. Unless they comeback for a lameduck session in November. I seem to remember Nancy Pelosi promising more days in session before the Dems took over in Nov of 2006. Do I think Bush should make a stink about them leaving for vacation, with no Energy Plan passed? YES, he should help his Political Party.

Dr Evil on August 4, 2008 at 7:48 PM

1. It’s obvious you are more than willing to let someone else lead you around. You’re right, you’re not a bubba, you’re a sheep.

2. Bush has already pressed for the Congress to do something. He cannot control the agenda if he calls congress back. I don’t know how many times you need to be told this.

3. I don’t give a flip how many days she promised to be in session. With this congress, it doesn’t matter, cause they don’t get anything done anyway.

Enjoy your BDS, but don’t look for him to be your daddy. The person who wants the president to be a father figure usually gets disappointed.

john1schn on August 4, 2008 at 11:05 PM

Well put, Terrye and john1schn. Bush is a fine man, and will probably go down in history as a good or near-great president. Clinton, on the other hand will only stay popular as long as the reporters who originally loved him are still doing the reporting. Maybe less.

Bush has shown that encouraging drilling can impact the price of oil now, not just ten years from now. It’s time for Congress to do their part. And it’s time for Republicans to make that point over and over again. Unless they want to be the minority party for an entire generation.

Bush’s biggest flaw is that he’s just not that much of a politician. If he were more of a politician, he’d be better able to advance his agenda. It’s not surprising, really. The main reason Bush’s father was a one-term president is because he was not enough of a politician.

Obama, on the other hand, is pure politician. All his convictions are replaceable, depending on which way the ~~wind blows~~ polls read.

But I suspect Obama will ultimately lose, because he’s such a politician that you can’t believe a word he says.

theregoestheneighborhood on August 4, 2008 at 11:06 PM

But I suspect Obama will ultimately lose, because he’s such a politician that you can’t believe a word he says.

theregoestheneighborhood on August 4, 2008 at 11:06 PM

I hope he does lose, better him than the rest of the country.

john1schn on August 4, 2008 at 11:16 PM

Democrats- the NO ENERGY Party.

profitsbeard on August 4, 2008 at 11:25 PM

Nancy has other priorities. She has a book to sell so that she can MAKE MONEY. Funny, and all this time I thought she was collecting a paycheck to look out for us.

GarandFan on August 4, 2008 at 11:39 PM