Video: Senate GOP calls for “balanced energy plan”
posted at 7:36 am on August 8, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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House Republicans have attracted most of the attention the last week in the rebellion that erupted after Nancy Pelosi adjourned the session without taking a vote on drilling. Their colleagues in the upper chamber want to press the case as well. Fifteen Republican Senators have a new video demanding that Harry Reid allow debate and a vote on a “balanced energy plan”:
In fact, they have a plan in mind already. The Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 would unlock the OCS and the shale formations in the interior West for exploration and drilling, releasing the potential for millions of barrels a day in increased production. It also increases investment for R&D for high-efficiency batteries for electric cars and trucks and increases resources for regulatory staff at the CFTC to ensure that futures trading doesn’t involve fraud.
I suspect that this will require some horse trading. To get the OCS and shale, the GOP will have to also allow more in terms of conservation and pursuit of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydrogen. It also doesn’t mention anything about nuclear power, which we should pursue immediately. But as an opening bid, the GPRA looks like an excellent entry.
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Good luck to them. They’re dealing with high-gas-price loving anti-American idiots.
Guardian on August 8, 2008 at 7:47 AM
Reid and Pelosi are not in office to effect change for the better of America. They are in office to exert control and meet their own selfish, power hungry personal needs. They are both dispicable, evil people.
cannonball on August 8, 2008 at 7:47 AM
They’ll never convince Reid and his gaggle of senate pseudo communists. The Democrats care about their egos and power . . . nothing else.
rplat on August 8, 2008 at 7:55 AM
shocking, they are sticking to their guns. I guess Harry is busy making a land deal to worry about the people who actually have to pay for their gas and food.
I really do not see how Reid and Pelosi sleep at night. Well any of the do-nothing Dim-bulbs for that matter.
jdsmith0021 on August 8, 2008 at 7:56 AM
I notice that my esteemed senator for Virginia was not in this. Thanks Mr. Warner for nothing!
jdsmith0021 on August 8, 2008 at 7:58 AM
Why is it that the American people have to have absolute fits to have these people get a clue? Currently it is gas prices and our dependency on others and the other was border security. I think it is safe to say that there should be time limits on Congressional sessions. Besides the price of gas, we must be more self sufficient. And if they are going to get excited about hydrogen vehicles they have to start talking nuclear because it isn’t cost effective to produce hydrogen any other way.
Cindy Munford on August 8, 2008 at 8:04 AM
How about just “trading out” many of the obstructionist that sit at home on vacation plotting their next political ploy to advance their agenda while the past two years of sky-rocketing prices eats away at this economy. Send them on a permanent vacation in November.
Rovin on August 8, 2008 at 8:05 AM
What mean ‘dat?
All their campaign contributors get the subsidizes balanced proportional to their campaign contributions?
MB4 on August 8, 2008 at 8:06 AM
I guess I’m an idiot, but I never realized Elizabeth Dole was a Senator.
jimmy the notable on August 8, 2008 at 8:16 AM
Wait a tick,what do you mean it may require some
horse trading,more in terms of conservation,to get
at the shale!
Making deals with the Libs,more conservation is exactly
what got ANWAR on the no-drill list!
Okay,Pelosi wants to make a deal,let the American voters
know that while ANWAR is off limits,and to get at the shale,
more consevation is needed for a Liberal deal!
Then make sure the voters know that Nancy and the Libs
have no intention to solve the high price of gas because
Pelosi is more interested in deal making,then actually
solving the Americans plight on the high price of gas!
canopfor on August 8, 2008 at 8:22 AM
jimmy the notable, yes she ran against some guy that was BIG in the Clinton administration. His names escapes me at the moment. I was so surprised he knew where N.C. was let alone lived there.
Cindy Munford on August 8, 2008 at 8:28 AM
I’ll be glad to review over time in light of changing world events on any issue. But I also believe that the ANWR is a pristine place and if they found oil in the Grand Canyon, I don’t think I’d drill in the Grand Canyon.
- John McCain
MB4 on August 8, 2008 at 8:31 AM
Screw deals, this issue is far too important. These politician critters need to listen to the will of the people on this one, and make America energy independent now and forever. The fact that the mighty USA is dependent upon foreign nations for such a critical element of our way of life, is a total failure of our government both past and present….
Every one of us should contact our state representatives and let your voices be heard. I’m in Montana, where I have (2) Democrat Senators. I have written both of these critters letters (several) over the past few weeks. Be professional, but let your voices be heard.
Keemo on August 8, 2008 at 8:31 AM
MB4 on August 8, 2008 at 8:31 AM
McCain is currently pushing a “drill now” theme, stating that he has heard the voices of the people.
Keemo on August 8, 2008 at 8:33 AM
I’ve been talking to a guy who has worked in the oil fields for decades. I asled him how long it would take to start delivering oil from ANWR if they were told to start work tomorrow.
He estimated 3 years and 3 months. I’m rounding that to 4 years. Most of the problems would be getting the equipment in place and building out the infrastrutcture. He also said it would be a lot less time for offshore drilling. (6-18 months)
The 10 years the Democrats have been throwing around is a load of bovine droppings.
evilned on August 8, 2008 at 8:34 AM
MB4 on August 8, 2008 at 8:31 AM
“Sigh” I know. We wouldn’t want to endanger the tourists. I think after you make a statement like that, you CAN’T go back. It would be too ripe for commercials during the election. He has to hope Congress takes care of it.
Cindy Munford on August 8, 2008 at 8:35 AM
I know, I know, like he heard the “voices of the people” on border security.
But I’ll build the goddamned fence if they want it.
- John McCain
Don’t try to cash that check either.
MB4 on August 8, 2008 at 8:40 AM
Republicans are finally showing some fight on this issue. I’m not worried about McCain at this moment, I’m more focussed on state representatives. I can whine or I can get behind the efforts that are currently taking place. I have made my choice.
Keemo on August 8, 2008 at 8:53 AM
This only had 207 views on YouTube. They must’ve sent it directly to you, Ed!
jgapinoy on August 8, 2008 at 9:03 AM
Isn’t it Ironic that when we had a Rep prez and a Rep congress we couldn’t get drilling on the table because gas prices were still reasonable enough that people were more worried about the environment, but then when the Dems came into power, prices went way up, and now when the Reps finally want drilling, they don’t have the power to get it. The universe has a sick sense of humor.
jimmy the notable on August 8, 2008 at 9:03 AM
The Senate GOP wants to sell us out on this issue, especially the Gang of 10. This is the one issue the GOP has to prevent a blowout in November, and the Senate GOP wants to give the Democrats a win. Absolutely worthless.
doubleplusundead on August 8, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Cool. Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr. Great to see both Tar Heel Senators taking part in this.
Mr. Wednesday Night on August 8, 2008 at 9:20 AM
I unfortunately have to agree. I have a bad feeling about this. The word “balanced” is code for “compromise that favors the Dems.” But in the Senate, that may be the only way to get even a small concession on drilling. The Senate has always been the roadblock on energy. Even when Republicans controlled both houses of Congress, the House would pass drilling in ANWR every single year, and the Senate would stop it every single year. And that was when we had control.
aero on August 8, 2008 at 9:26 AM
The person does not have actually to live there, they just have to use the address of a relative who lives in a retirement community.
Johan Klaus on August 8, 2008 at 9:55 AM
McCain sounds a little bitter towards the people.
Johan Klaus on August 8, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Mr. Wednesday Night on August 8, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Amen. I am also glad to see both of my Senators on the sane side.
Dawnsblood on August 8, 2008 at 9:59 AM
It is not the province or purpose of government to dictate how energy producers supply their customers, nor under what conditions those customers can or should trade with them.
The only proper government energy policy is: Hands Off!
Not only will that have the practical effect of reducing gas prices as quickly as possible, but it is the only moral choice. Oil companies have property rights; their customers and they have the right to free trade. Any interference in that transaction violates those rights.
Unless some specific person owns the property that is harmed by a specific action of an oil producer or transporter, there is no cause for action with regard to ‘environmental harm’. No one else has any right to interfere or complain.
It’s about freedom — not just the price of gas.
JDPerren on August 8, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Why did that have to look and feel like a corporate training video, where the square CEO welcomes the new-hire to the family?
I give up on the GOP’s marketing abilities – they clearly have.
Ludwig on August 8, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Johan Klaus on August 8, 2008 at 9:55 AM
I don’t like it when either side does it. There is a Representative in Florida running for again it just came to light that he has been using his in-law’s address. So does that mean that Dole nor Ickes were living in N.C.?
Cindy Munford on August 8, 2008 at 11:10 AM
I couldn’t disagree more. Does it have to be cute or catchy to deliver a winning message?
I think this is a great montage and well-done ad. It even sounds like a Coldplay song playing in the background. I wish it could be circulated widely. Is it being broadcast on TV or cable? This thing is nearly bullet-proof – how can Dems respond other than to agree?
connertown on August 8, 2008 at 11:32 AM
.
Touche. Wonder if that will ever get actioned, or even see the light of day outside of talk radio and blogs?
Think_b4_speaking on August 8, 2008 at 11:42 AM
The Floridan is Robert Wexler (D) and he states that he has lived in Florida since he was ten. I guess Elizabeth Dole could make the same argument, I don’t have any idea what Harold Ickes history in N.C. might be. For a lot of those folks it is hard to maintain a home in the D.C. area and their home state. More reason to put a limit on the time those folks spend in D.C.causing more trouble then necessary.
Cindy Munford on August 8, 2008 at 11:54 AM
The Democrat controlled house and senate swamp has to drained before anything worth will happen. Come November, vote a straight 100% Republican ticket!
byteshredder on August 8, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Sean Hackbarth here from the Senate Republican Conference.
This is a web-only video. Please send the link to friends and family, post it on a weblog, and send it to your MySpace and Facebook friends to really spread the word.
seanhackbarth on August 8, 2008 at 3:25 PM
NO dealing with those who have caused the energy problem by their obstructionist adherence to environmental extremism.
Just make them look like the fools they are and get them thrown out of office and replaced with more rational Senators.
This gamesmanship is the reason for the stagnation.
The economy is not a game, but survival and security.
profitsbeard on August 8, 2008 at 8:07 PM
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