Should McCain join the House Oil Party?
posted at 8:05 am on August 6, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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John Boehner extended an invitation to John McCain yesterday to join the House Republican caucus in their rebellion against Democratic stonewalling on a vote on drilling. McCain had offered to come off the campaign trail if Barack Obama would also agree to do so and join Congress in an open debate and an open vote to rescind the federal moratorium on drilling in the OCS and interior. The House Minority Leader tells McCain to come regardless of Obama’s participation:
In a briefing with bloggers in House Minority Leader John Boehner’s office August 5, Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz, said he would “love to have McCain come speak on the floor” as part of the protest. He said he believes inviting a senator to speak on the House floor would not violate House rules and challenged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to stop it.
“Yes, I think it is something he [McCain] could do. I mean, technically, we are trying to abide by the rules of procedure for the House,” Shadegg said. “[W]e begin with a prayer, the pledge and we are speaking from the well — with one exception, we’re not taking questions from the gallery, but we are trying to accord ourselves normal decorum from the House floor.”
It’s definitely an intriguing offer, and McCain should accept immediately. No matter where he’s campaigning at the moment, he will not get more or better press than if he arrives at Capitol Hill with the lights off. It would also force the national press to cover the revolt by House Republicans, and perhaps even produce televised coverage of the speeches in the darkened chamber.
It might also force action by Nancy Pelosi to call the House back into session. Normally, a Senator wouldn’t go into the House while the lower chamber is in session, but no such restriction exists at the moment. The only way Pelosi and the Democrats could keep McCain from exploding this to the top of the headlines would be to do exactly what the GOP wants — to call the House into session, and keep it in session.
There are no down sides to a McCain campaign visit to Capitol Hill. He’d get great press, he would underscore Democratic obstructionism on energy, he would demonstrate party unity, and he would put pressure on Obama to respond with something other than tire gauges and cuts in electricity. Any campaign events he has to postpone couldn’t have a fraction of the impact this appearance would have, both for himself and the GOP. Someone on Team McCain should be redirecting the jet now.
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This won’t be good for Michelle’s kids.
marklmail on August 6, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Hmm, no updates. Dang it!
upinak on August 6, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Go Johnie, go,go,go!
winemkr on August 6, 2008 at 2:27 PM
I think this makes an interesting contrast to Newt Gingrich’s shutdown of the Federal government in 1995. IIRC, Republicans took a lot of heat in the media for obstructionism.
Now, you have Pelosi shutting down congress, with Republicans on the floor wanting to propose, debate, and vote….and the media is……… #crickets#
cthulhu on August 6, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Deep in my heart? I wear it on my sleeve. Separatist loner is who I am baby. I’m bigoted against the entire human race. I hate everybody. You especially. Just kidding. Sometimes I can’t stop myself.
So no updates yet? Well, McCain comes in late on this stuff sometimes…was it yesterday he was misquoted on the tire gauge thing? And that’s been going on since last week. If he doesn’t show up in DC by tomorrow though, my cynical side will celebrate with an off key rendition of ‘Backdoor John.’
austinnelly on August 6, 2008 at 3:10 PM
I vote in the affirmative.
Dear John: Go there, go now.
Christine on August 6, 2008 at 3:22 PM
if he truly wanted to be a leader, he would already be there.
Kaptain Amerika on August 6, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Via RedState:
This started 30 minutes ago. Might want to get in on it if you haven’t already!
upinak on August 6, 2008 at 3:37 PM
I assume you mean you want me to explain the logic behind refusing to join the bleating sheeple. I thought I pretty much did that by explaining that if McCain wants my vote he’s going have to start convincing me that he deserves it. Just handing it to him because he isn’t Obama is just an unacceptable way of choosing a candidate to vote for. So far, McCain drifts further and further to the left while the sheeple continue clinging onto the idea that McCain is a conservative Republican. I simply don’t trust the man and am honestly having problems getting myself behind the idea of putting a liberal Republican into office for no other reason than he got the GOP nomination.
Obviously, I take voting more seriously than you do.
highhopes on August 6, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Could these “sheeple”, as you call them, possibly be voting for McCain because *gasp* they feel he’s the better choice of all the candidates who are running in the general election?
No, you prefer to insult people who aren’t going your way.
Further left? Geeze, I though McCain saying that he’s for Off-shore drilling means he’s going further to the right.
Let me ask you something. Out of all the republicans that ran in the primaries, who did you want to win? I wanted Fred to win. How about you?
DethMetalCookieMonst on August 6, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Something like this would do more to change the momentum than Bush calling the House back in session.
Terrye on August 6, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Then they aren’t sheeple. It’s just folks like you and giant jackass who demand we all just shut up and pull the lever for McCain because he isn’t Obama. That may be your opinion but the minute you all start questioning my motives for holding a different opinion you become a sheeple. If you don’t like being a sheeple, stop acting like one.
Not when combined with McCain’s call for ratification of Kyoto, his refusal to drill in ANWR, and his support of the global warming junk science.
I supported/support Romney. I had some issues with his record but overall he seemed the best choice of combining the clear desire to get “somebody new” with an experienced politician with conservative values (overall) and a good record from his time at Governor. He also promised the possiblity of brining over two blue states (MA & MI) over to the red side of the equation. As with any candidate, there were some weak areas to his candidacy but he was a heck of a lot better than John McCain. I’m really angry that the primary was set up so that Romney had to battle Huckabee and Thompson for the conservative vote while the formulas for allocating delegates let liberal McCain sail through while the better candidates were fighting one another.
highhopes on August 6, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Wait a minute. So there is nothing wrong with you saying that us voting for McCain is wrong but if we question your motives for not voting for McCain they we are sheeple. Oookaaayy….
Show me proof of that “ratifying the Kyoto treaty”.
As for the others, I guess Newt Gingrich is a liberal because he bought into it, too.
I prefered Romney over McCain but it bothered me that he…ahem….pandered to the libs in Mass. when he was governor there. Hmmmm….isn’t that what you accuse McCain of doing?
Answer this question. Who is more conservative. McCain or Obama. If you say Obama or that they are EXACTLY the same, you better back it up with some proof.
DethMetalCookieMonst on August 6, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Besides, you guys thought it was a great idea to lose Congress in 2006? How did that work out in producing these mythical, pure, conservative candidates, huh?
NoDonkey on August 6, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Rookies… The way to get Republicans to act like Republicans once again is to methodically replace them with solid people, not to replace them with Democrats. NoDonkey is correct here folks. Temper tantrums are not the solution, patience and a solid “go forward” plan is. We are always going to have some of our politicians fall off the track; tis the nature of this profession. We (Republicans) are still learning how to handle having power and clout, after having been out of power for so many decades, we still have much to learn. We are a “work in progress”; but ones for sure, patience, tolerance, and solid moral principles are what we need to be all about.
The next president is going to be Obama or McCain… That’s the way it is folks. McCain gets my vote despite the many things I’m not happy about. I’m an American first, a husband and a father second, and a Conservative somewhere thereafter. Obama is not qualified for the job of potus; McCain is. Obama is a socialist Liberal, McCain isn’t.
Keemo on August 6, 2008 at 5:18 PM
For some people, it’s not even a consideration in their mind.
wise_man on August 6, 2008 at 5:58 PM
Good Lord there some awesome comments on this page.
wise_man on August 6, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Here’s what went on in the guerilla congress today
http://thenextright.com/katherine-miller/live-from-the-guerrilla-congress
RushBaby on August 6, 2008 at 6:52 PM
RushBaby on August 6, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Good Lord there some awesome comments on this page.
wise_man on August 6, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Yes wise-man, as is the case with most threads here at HA; and then there are those who need to settle down just a bit and think things through (big picture)… Of coarse, we will always have the trolls, but who pays attention to them anyway. The real debate here is within our own ranks (ideology). Trolls are fun to play with in boring times, and nothing but a tick during enlightening debate amongst ourselves. The discussion deteriorated towards the end of page one of this thread, otherwise a great thread indeed.
Keemo on August 6, 2008 at 7:32 PM
In a word, yes.
If he really wants to point out the difference between himself and Obama as doer rather than a talker, especially on the increasingly high profile energy issue, he should leave the trail, head to The Hill, and declare “I’m not going anywhere until we get a vote!”
It would be a display of both leadership (ya think people look for that in a prospective prez?) AND commitment to The People in a time of trouble (I think people look for that too!)
At the very least, it’ll help remind the base that he’s not a Democrat.
SuperCool on August 6, 2008 at 7:41 PM
stawman, he never said YOU shouldnt vote for mccain, he explained why he couldnt.
he may have misspoke on kyoto, but this is just as bad
i doubt highhope thinks obama is conservative in any way whatsoever. but its about how much damage a mccain presidency can do to the movement and the party. he goes instinctively left on too many important issues.
remember what this thread is about? mccain visiting the house of reps while they are trying to draw attention to the dems refusal to approve drilling. well did you see what mccain said yesterday? his ad about “battling big oil” he obviously is making them out to be the bad guy and not the dems so he has already thrown cold water on the reps that are trying to fight the pelosi politburo. that the repub nominee would do that to his party is inexcusable. this guy will have no coattails and we will probably lose conservatives seats due to him.
chasdal on August 6, 2008 at 8:29 PM
Yes, I sure hope he shows up, but I agree, it seems like he just wants to lose. He’s probably too busy producing his next “celebrity” ad - this time with Jar Jar Binks, perhaps!
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Jar_Jar_Binks
gxpgxp on August 6, 2008 at 8:58 PM
This is a good idea. A very good idea.
Which, unfortunately, is exactly the reason I doubt McCain’s (ultra-savvy!) campaign will follow up.
PurpleWombats on August 6, 2008 at 11:26 PM
I think it would be nice if Johnny Mac showed up for a day or two, but to ask him to participate any longer might hurt him in the midst of the biggest campaign of his (and this country’s) life.
Unless Obama comes, there is really no reason for McCain to. He should be out campaigning and raising money. A couple days there might help that, but beyond that, it hurts him.
otcconan on August 7, 2008 at 4:57 AM
When the WSJ says the price of oil is $130 a barrel, what they forget to tell you is that’s the price of oil FUTURES. That’s not what the price of oil is NOW.
Democrats so strongly say that it’ll take 10 years to realize the effects of drilling…yet…
How far has the the price of oil fallen since the President lifted the executive ban on offshore drilling?
The “price” of a barrel of oil is driven by oil futures. It’s the speculators gambling on what the price of oil will be 5 to 10 years from now. What do you think they’ll bet on the price being if all drilling restrictions are lifted? $90 a barrel? $75? The moment a bill is passed, the speculators are going to drive that price down.
What I’m getting at is we’re paying at the pump what the speculators think it’s going to cost 10 years from now. You lift the ban, and you’ll see a very quick reduction.
It was $4.03 a gallon a month ago. Since the lift on the executive ban, it’s gone to $3.73.
It’s simple economics.
otcconan on August 7, 2008 at 5:03 AM
Joining the Republicans in this protest is an excellent opportunity for McCain to bolster a message that making America less beholden to foreigh powers that hold our economy and security hostage is good for ALL Americans. That ALL Americans deserve relief in their pocketbooks from high energy and high food costs. That ALL Americans deserve release from contraints that limit our production of energy.
His message should be one of positive outlook that reinforces the point that American produceers/production of energy are/is most responsible in protecting the environment. That American ingenuity and entrepreneurship should be celebrated and rewarded because it creates meaningful jobs and prosperity for the nation.
He should emphasize that energy companies use their profits to research and explore PROVEN sources of oil and gas. That no taxpayer with common sense and a respect for the dollar would waste the time or effort if the playing field for productivity was limited by artificial constraint.
He should drop his empty rhetoric about BIG OIL because it is a red herring. Punishing achievers with high taxes and few incentives passes a tax on to the consumer and demoralizes the optimism that makes America great.
For the same reason, he should quietly put to rest his cap and trade ideas. It is but another tax on the consumer.
He could remind consumers/voters that there is no windfall profit in the energy sector, that there is a lot of risk in locating and bringing natural resources to the market in a usable form.
He should promote the building of new refineries that generate more fuel and do so with regard to the environment.
He can use the opportunity to speak to the American voter to promote his forward-looking Lexington Project without spending a cent of his campaign funds.
In other words, McCain has an opportunity to speak to ALL Americans, particularly the ones who are wobbly about where to throw their support. This includes disenchanted conservative, independents, and Blue Dog Democrats.
This is a win-win platform for McCain should he choose to seize it. To borrow from his pathetic opponent’s slogan, he can use the words “Yes, we can” to emphasize that he and his party have a workable plan and not just words <that change with daily poll results.
He can say, “Yes, we can…and we will…IF constituents urge their lawmakers to return to Washington to free our resources for the use of Americans.
onlineanalyst on August 7, 2008 at 8:27 AM
This is a powerful issue and a winning one.
Yes, McCain ought to not just get on board, but hijack the train and pilot it.
drjohn on August 7, 2008 at 9:15 AM
You lead from the front.
Wade on August 7, 2008 at 9:15 AM
They must fear this for some reason. For all the pros discussed above — and they certainly must have considered it, even if only because some of them surely read this blog — apparently they concluded that it’s not a good move. Maybe they think it’s risky to tie McCain too closely with the Republican party, or that it harms the maverick’s bipartisan image, something like that.
Extraneus on August 7, 2008 at 10:39 AM
If McCain wanted to be there, I’d be all for it. That not being the case (yet), I can understand the (possible) reluctance. Not sure the house revolt would be the best audition for Commander in Chief. This is the people’s rebellion, and I think John is suited to be the George Washington. When the white horse is saddled up, John will be on it!
redneck hippie on August 7, 2008 at 11:05 AM
McCain should at least pronounce his support for Republicans on Capitol Hill. It’s a matter of decency, let alone unity on his banner. Having released his “democrats love me” ad, he should counter balance any self promotion as a RINO, to be sure. A well crafted announcement of support for American drilling the the efforts of his fellow Congressmen standing up for America’s security today would fly well on TV during the heat of summer and political angst over the pre-election economic slow downs. TIMING MATTERS: the sooner you pump, the sooner you benefit. Lash out against the federally legislated bureaucratic lags in processing applications. When democrats tell you it will take umpteen years to actually get anything from instant effort, they forget to admit how the majority wait time is due to WAITING FOR PERMISSION TO PROCEED.
maverick muse on August 7, 2008 at 11:30 AM
.
That’s a rhetorical question, right?
Think_b4_speaking on August 7, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Who all remembers the stupid childhood game called
“Mother May I?” Total preferential authority rests with the ONE who grants permission for all other players to step forward.
Nancy Pelosi is playing “Mother May I” with us all. Dump that game and her as well.
McCain’s a smart weenie when it comes to rubbing shoulders to grease compromise into legislation. He’s not likely to denounce Nancy or Harry, anticipating the future likelihood as either POTUS or Senator of having to work with them either as Majority Leaders or merely influential democrats.
HOWEVER, trouncing OBAMA is the perfect act. And any comment McCain provides House Republicans will center against OBAMA or not be forthcoming.
maverick muse on August 7, 2008 at 11:40 AM
.
The published futures pricing is based on 6 months forward, not 5-10 years. Your other points are valid, though.
Think_b4_speaking on August 7, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I thought he was already a member of the Republican party.
My advise: Go There, Go Now, Win Election
Dollayo on August 7, 2008 at 10:51 PM
WHY NOT…It would make some press, and news slots
byteshredder on August 7, 2008 at 11:36 PM
mccain just cant help being a complete friggin idiot!! a private company has an opportunity to cut its cost and provide its service to the public at a lower rate and this is his reaction! he was right when he said he didnt know much about economics. the guy is such a train wreck.
chasdal on August 7, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Y E S!!!! Only a fool would not!
allrsn on August 8, 2008 at 1:16 AM
Check this link pay attention to wind and solar! Remember we have been building wind and solar for over 20 years.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/tablees1a.html
allrsn on August 8, 2008 at 1:17 AM
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