Gang of 10/16/20 breaking up?
posted at 2:30 pm on September 17, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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After the House passed the energy bill that doesn’t actually allow oil companies to drill where the oil is, one might expect the so-called Gang of 10-20 in the Senate to quickly pass the Nancy Pelosi-approved bill. Comments coming from a few of the Gang-sters appear to indicate that drilling bells are breaking up that ol’ gang of theirs. The energy bill fight may not yet be over.
First, the passage of the non-energy energy bill, as reported by the Washington Post:
The House approved a package of energy initiatives yesterday, including measures that would allow oil drilling as close as 50 miles off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and finance the long-term development of alternative energy sources.
In the first substantive votes since gasoline prices rose above $4 a gallon this summer, the House divided largely along party lines, 236 to 189, with most Republicans rejecting the Democratic-sponsored legislation because it would prohibit exploration of much of the known oil reserves closer to the coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico.
As they reversed their long-held opposition to more offshore oil exploration, Democrats said the increased taxes on oil companies in the bill and the collection of royalty payments from the drilling would yield billions of dollars to help finance the development of cleaner, renewable energy sources.
“We’re not trying to give incentives to drill, we’re giving incentives to invest in renewables and natural gas that will take us where we need to go,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) told reporters before the vote.
Pelosi offers as honest a statement as we’ve yet heard from her on this topic. Democrats won’t stay that honest for very long, though. They passed this bill as a fig leaf for the upcoming elections, attempting to reverse a large shift against them in the election after Pelosi adjourned Congress to go on a book tour rather than address the supply crisis in the oil markets. Pelosi and her cohorts will talk endlessly about drilling without ever noting that they won’t allow the drilling to occur where oil actually exists.
The Senate will have to take action to correct this. With all of the talk about a compromise coalition working on a bill with striking similarity to the House version, that may sound like an outright loss for increased domestic production. However, all is not lost, at least not yet:
- Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC): “We’re trying to be more aggressive on drilling,” said South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham – Congressional Quarterly
- Sen. John Thune (R-ND): “If they’ve already passed the tax extenders, the sense of urgency about passing an energy bill lessens,” Senate Chief Deputy Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) said. Thune added that the tax deal increases the likelihood that no energy bill reaches a filibuster-proof 60-vote threshold.” — Roll Call
- Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL): Durbin agreed that the outlook appears bleak for Senate passage of any of the four energy measures on which Reid has said he would allow votes. “I think it’s a reach,” Durbin said. “Try to add up 60 votes on any one of these.” — Roll Call
Republicans have to continue their offensive on energy policy. The Senate Republican Caucus has to stay tough and ensure passage of a bill that will allow drilling where oil exists, and also to push for development of shale. The latter may soon become economically a wash, thanks to the dropping price of oil, which ended at less than $92 a barrel yesterday, but we need to start working these formations now to ensure future supplies.
Let your Senators know that you want real increases in domestic supply, not false-front legislation designed only to rescue Democrats from their own political failures.
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Ed, mine know. Even if one is being indicted… he is still pushing for oil. Give Stevens that at least.
upinak on September 17, 2008 at 2:35 PM
This threatens to destroy the lead the McCain has painstakingly built up…it would be a terrible shame if all this excitement from the last 2 weeks was pissed away on a “comprimise” with a bunch of Democrat snakes.
McCain to Endorse Gang of 16 RHINO Republicans “Deal” to Outlaw Drilling in most of the OCS!
PierreLegrand on September 17, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Ed,
You forgot that Bush has threatened a Veto of the House bill.
also the long term supply issue has not gone away. 2 billion people are still coming online. Oil’s fall is due to alot of things but if Maerica gets out of the recession and starts to expand oil will be right back to $150.00 due to supply issue. The only reason oil has drop is because Wall street believes the demand will be less because of the recession
unseen on September 17, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Hey Nancy, if you actually allowed drilling where the oil is you’d get more tax dollars for your Big Wind buddies.
lodge on September 17, 2008 at 2:38 PM
I think the McCain campaign has since denied that. I believe I saw a post over at AOSHQ on this.
Wethal on September 17, 2008 at 2:39 PM
McCain would have to be retarded to endorse the gang of 16. Absolutely retarded.
lorien1973 on September 17, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Now might be a good time for Mac to flip on ANWR. Just as the Dems think they have us with “They won’t take YES for an answer” we could tighten the screws with “DRILL ANWR! DRILL NOW!”
Tony737 on September 17, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I highlighted Ms. Pelosi’s quote, too, but that wasn’t the original focus of my post. I initially started off talking about how 42 of the 53 Blue Dog Democrats (BDD’s) voted just like John Conyers, Jim McDermott, Dennis Kucinich & Maxine Waters voted on H.R. 6899.
Let’s hope that the NRCC is turning Ms. Pelosi’s quote into advertisements against vulnerable D’s that voted for the bill.
LFRGary on September 17, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I answered a survey from the NRSC:
No money for the NRSC until they squash the Gang of 10.
Tell Senator Graham (RINO-SC) to get bent.
Maybe they’re getting the message
phreshone on September 17, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Fixed it for ‘ya………
Seven Percent Solution on September 17, 2008 at 2:41 PM
If anything, we should hope that McCain’s campaign is leaning on these senators to let them know what a POS this bill is.
thirteen28 on September 17, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Perhaps people might set up Pelosi Oil Drilling Platforms in front of Congress and all the MSM networks: There’s no oil here to drill for, but it looks good on TV.
Loxodonta on September 17, 2008 at 2:43 PM
BTW, the price of gas at my local WaWa went up 6 cents since i returned home from a four day trip. If this Dem bill is for real, the price of gas will come down within days. If it is b.s., the price of gas will either hover or keep going up.
(Also, Rush mentioned Ed and hotAir again today! Good work, Ed!)
Tony737 on September 17, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Palin’s yahoo email was hack… nothing too bad has been revealed… yet…
ninjapirate on September 17, 2008 at 2:47 PM
who needs oil- we have CHANGE $$$$$$$$$$
steviedfromnc on September 17, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Can someone please ask Nancy Pelosi exactly how it is we get Natural Gas?
Queasy on September 17, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Yes. Contact your Senators. People need to realize how hard it will make future drilling efforts if this thing passes.
BadgerHawk on September 17, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Does that include NEW Nuclear Power Plants?
Chakra Hammer on September 17, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Countdown to McCompromise and status quo … 10, 9, 8, …
Lack of low cost oil is killing the US economy.
tarpon on September 17, 2008 at 2:52 PM
If McCain and the Republicans give in on the drilling issue it’s all over for them. Surely McCain can see that right… right?
rigdown on September 17, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Things to do.
1. Bush should let the justice dept. investigate F may F mack.
2. Bush needs to veto the Reps drilling bill.
3. Bush needs to investigate “O” Dumby for interfering in Iraq.
4. Bush needs to let the Justice Dept investigate the Palin E mail Hacking.
5. Bush needs to let the IRS and Justice Dept’s investigate C. Rangles shady dealings.
6.
Rick007 on September 17, 2008 at 2:53 PM
What was the outfit the (almost) single handedly defeated the alleged Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act?
I and lots of others contributed $$$$ to their hugely successful effort. Is there any way to get that group focused now on real energy reform, and give us an avenue to politically bury any Senator who would vote for this sham legislation which was passed by the House?
I think untold numbers of people would be more than willing to pony up additional $$$$ to effectively get this message out
alwyr on September 17, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Did any of you hear about the three left wing senators who squelched Iraq’s firs oil deal to the US because they didn’t have some sort of environmental policy in place. Simply unacceptable.
mindhacker on September 17, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Well I guess if fuel prices go too high, I can ride my horse the 15 miles to work I have to go.
Here in ND we got plenty for you from the Bakken. Come and get it. And if you need a good paying job-come & get it! They’re paying oilfield workers an ungodly amount of $$. We don’t even have enough people who want to work for a living!
I’m seriously considering quitting my public school science teaching job for an oil field one.
Maybe Gov. Hoeven’ll give us another property tax refund next year!
Badger40 on September 17, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Game over.
The dems will ride the “We passed an offshore drilling bill” right to the White House. Even if Bush veto’s they can ride the “Republicans are obstructionists” all the way to the White House.
This election really was the Republicans to loose and in my opinion they went balls to the wall to do so. The only small bump on the way was Palin getting some of the conservatives thrilled but thanks to vigilant conservatives and this bill that little ice princess has been taken care of. All hail “The One” ruler of the United States of America. Conservatives asked for him and now they have him.
jmarcure on September 17, 2008 at 3:10 PM
I told Saxby Chambliss and Johnboy Isakson I will never vote for either of them again if they keep the BS going much longer.
I am about ready to run against them both on this one issue.
Elizabetty for Senate!!
Elizabetty on September 17, 2008 at 3:11 PM
From a guy who is surprised by the current Wall Street debacle? LOL!
Weak. Weak. Weak.
Fletch54 on September 17, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Has to get through the Senate, before it gets to Bush…. not gonna happen IMO.
Romeo13 on September 17, 2008 at 3:17 PM
I wouldn’t get too excited about the rumors that McCain will support the “compromise” deal.
There have been any number of interesting “rumors” out of the McCain camp that have pulled the Obama camp way off balance:
- He’s going to release a big new ad the night of Obama’s speech.
- It’s going to be Romney.
- No, it’s going to be Pawlenty.
I’d guess that this rumor (if it wasn’t just made up by someone) was released to convince the Dems that they could defuse this issue by putting up a bill. Instead, there will be a whole filibuster fight — and who doesn’t enjoy a good filibuster fight — and even more attention will be brought to bear on the fact that the Dems strongly oppose any drilling.
Watch and marvel.
ClintACK on September 17, 2008 at 3:19 PM
There’s an awful lot of reforming to do, and if the Chicago machine candidate wins, there won’t be none.
There will be a lot of Government tho.
Randy
williars on September 17, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Let me see now.
Who is “O” Dumby going to help out?????
The common folk that donated 25,50 or 100 Dollars or the Cal elite that donated 23,000 to his campange??????
Sounds simple for me to answer.
Rick007 on September 17, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Why wouldn’t it pass the Senate? You’re not implying that the Republicans will be obstructionists on an off shore drilling bill are you?
jmarcure on September 17, 2008 at 3:26 PM
If McCain doesn’t run against Congress–the Do-Nothing Democrat Congress–he might lose this election
His staff have been really good the past two months or so; they’d better get Good again–real quick
Janos Hunyadi on September 17, 2008 at 3:27 PM
He IS retarded. He has no core principles whatsoever. He is all over the ideological map.
DerKrieger on September 17, 2008 at 3:30 PM
My appeal:
Dear RNC:
I have been getting RNC messages wondering if I have abandoned the GOP and if I’d be so kind as to send in lots of money to support the GOP effort this election. Let me tell you why I’m dragging my feet.
John McCain can be brilliant at times, and others he drives us nuts. We were tormented with rumors that he would select a liberal as his VP, and I waited until he selected a sane VP choice before I would donate. Selecting Sarah, my first choice, resulted in my sending in a lot more money than I could afford, as did many others.
Now we are hearing that McCain wants to join the treacherous Gang of #? to sign off on the Drilling Figleaf Energy Plan passed by the House, and I, and many others, are waiting with baited breath to see if McCain squanders all the good will and enthusiasm he earned in the last month.
Americans want an “All of the Above” energy plan. We trust the market and American ingenuity. We don’t trust Pelosi and Reid and we know the House bill is nothing but a poison pill designed to create even more obstacles to rapid and viable energy production while giving them cover to lie to the country about their intentions. It is a Poison Fig Leaf.
When McCain stops infuriating and terrifying his base, his donors, his enthusiastic conservative supporters and everday Americans that want the best for our country, and comes out against this destructive farce and backs the complete unlimitied dropping of the drilling moratorium, I will again donate to the RNC. When he comes out with a plan that will fast-track energy projects and eliminate the decades of lawsuits and redtape designed to block energy projects, then I will donate generously. When he calls this bill what it is and offers the only sane alternative, I and many others will again donate more than we can afford. But not until then.
I eagerly await Senator McCain’s decision.
Maquis on September 17, 2008 at 3:51 PM
every campaign has its up and downs.
RIght now the battle is to see who is actually going to be up for good at around the 30 day mark.
McCain’s inability to interpret economic issues in a way that most people can grasp is pathetic. Just stand there and sound like a populist…..it works better. Absent that, get Romney out there with you talking about reformation of the financial sector and how it can be done without bankrupting the country.
We’re screwed right now folk. No doubt about that. We are screwed.
JP1986UM on September 17, 2008 at 3:53 PM
From Sarah’s lips to John’s ears.
Steve Z on September 17, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Is the RNC seriously so stupid as to not see the opportunity before them? Why don’t they make an ad that spells out this stupid Demo ploy and run it in prime time?
Freaking Idiots.
rockhead on September 17, 2008 at 4:07 PM
50 miles out or FIGHT!
J.J. Sefton on September 17, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Here’s an idea:
1. Let’s require all Members of Congress to live only where drilling is allowed!!!
2. And let’s also restrict the scope of all Federal laws and regulations (on all subjects) so they are effective only in areas where drilling is allowed: they would be completely void elsewhere.
landlines on September 17, 2008 at 4:18 PM
I emailed Saxby this morning. I let him know that if he votes for the House bill, I will be voting for his opponent this election. Here was the canned response:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding energy and the New Energy Reform Act of 2008 . I appreciate hearing from you. I have also included a myth vs. fact sheet to dispel any inaccurate information.
As I am sure you know, I recently formed a bipartisan energy working group to craft legislation to address our current energy crisis. We came together because we all believe this issue is too important to fall victim to political games. I believe that Congress can not sit idle while Georgia families and businesses continue to suffer as a result of the escalating high cost of energy.
I fully support offshore drilling and believe we must utilize all of our domestic resources. Additional oil exploration and increased refining capacity here in the United States will continue to receive my support. It is important that we utilize the resources here in this country whether that includes oil in Alaska , the Outer Continental Shelf, or any of our oil sands or shales.
On Friday, August 1, 2008, the group unveiled the “New Energy Reform Act of 2008″ (New ERA 2008). This comprehensive bipartisan energy plan focuses on increased domestic production, increased energy efficiency, and improved conservation in order to reduce the price of gas and secure our energy future.
The New Energy Reform Act of 2008 has three main components: first, targeted, responsible domestic production of energy resources ; second, a robust federal commitment to conservation and energy efficiency; and third, an intensive effort to transition America ’s vehicles to non-petroleum based fuels .
To help meet our energy needs, this bill would increase the amount of federal land that is open to oil and natural gas exploration. This would include opening the eastern Gulf of Mexico for production in a manner that is consistent with national security and our military training that occurs there. It would also allow the States of Georgia, North Carolina , South Carolina , and Virginia to opt in for drilling off their shores, while establishing a 50-mile coastal buffer zone for Florida , Georgia , North Carolina , South Carolina , and Virginia where new oil production is not allowed.
To ease gas prices and protect our environment during the transition, the proposal includes a significant federal commitment to promoting conservation and efficiency. This includes extending renewable energy, carbon mitigation, and energy conservation and efficiency tax incentives, including the production tax credit, through 2012. Furthermore, it would extend and expand the $2,500 tax credit for hybrid electric vehicles. These tax credits will lead Americans to obtain highly fuel efficient vehicles by making them more affordable. These efforts will also provide the stability needed for the renewable energy industry.
The New ERA legislation funds a $20 billion “Apollo Project” like effort to support the goal of transitioning 85% of America ’s new motor vehicles to non- petroleum-based fuels within 20 years. This will include $7.5 billion for the research and development of advanced batteries and other major technological barriers to alternative fuel vehicles. Another $7.5 billion will help U.S. automakers and parts makers re-tool and re-equip to become the world leader in making alternative fuel vehicles. Reaching this goal will not only allow the United States to be free from our dependence on foreign oil, it will benefit our economy by energizing our domestic auto manufacturers.
I will continue to work to address this issue. If we put as much effort into finding a solution to the energy crisis as we do in blaming one political party or another, we can solve this problem.
I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to address this critical issue. As the Senate moves forward, I will review energy legislation in accordance with these principles, and I will keep your comments in mind.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: http://www.chambliss.senate.gov . Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance.
And this file was attached
HarryBalzac on September 17, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Let your Senators know that you want real increases in domestic supply
Both of NJ’s senators are liberal Democrats who don’t even bother to send the usual form-letter response when I ask inconvenient questions. In fact, I haven’t had any representation in the Senate since… well, just this side of forever.
Ye gods, I’m disenfranchised!
Paul_in_NJ on September 17, 2008 at 5:43 PM
I bet all the senators who are members of the “gang” used to get beat up a lot in school!!!!
120pages on September 17, 2008 at 6:24 PM
It’s a shame the first woman Speaker had to be such a dolt.
Metro on September 17, 2008 at 7:30 PM
I left a voice message to my Senator, Elizabeth Dole on this issue. Since then I have received numerous VM’s in retunr as they are veryu anxious to clarify her position. Once we stop playing phone tag, i am interested to see what her staff has to say. In the meantime, I say stay on top of them!
The Opinionator on September 17, 2008 at 9:51 PM
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