Krauthammer: Barton’s apology was “the most politically stupid statement of the year”
posted at 9:39 pm on June 17, 2010 by Allahpundit
Not the first time CK’s bucked “true conservative” dogma, although I bet he’ll be surprised to find that his take on this is even semi-controversial on the right. Like he says, and as I acknowledged earlier, Barton has a fair point about The One’s pressure tactics with corporations. Granted, there was no “gun on the table” during yesterday’s negotiations, but there didn’t need to be: The most powerful prosecutor in the land was sitting right there, a physical reminder to BP that they could do things the easy way by accepting the escrow plan or they could do them the hard way by refusing. But with 60,000 barrels a day bubbling up in the gulf and Bobby Jindal so desperate that he appears ready to start scooping the oil out of the water with his hands, a House hearing aimed at fact-finding about BP’s negligence was not the time to go about making that point. In fact, to the extent that what Barton said plays into the left’s narrative of Republicans as mindless slaves of big business, it actually gives The One political cover to bully other companies in the future. It’s amazing that this needs to be pointed out to a sitting congressman, but if someone whose conservative credentials are as impeccable as CK’s is willing to try, I’m happy to pass it along. Click the image to watch.
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: « Previous 1 2 3 4
Do you have any evidence that the same firm improperly allocated payments funds in prior disbursement projects? From what I can tell the reputation seems sound and well founded.
lexhamfox on June 19, 2010 at 7:36 PM
Being “right” at the wrong time, in the wrong way, is finally being wrong.
Because you defeat you point by giving the opponent a big freebie stick to beat you with as they continue on their crooked way.
Well said.No one is crying about BP being shakendown except conservatives – i consider myself a conservative but i feel Barton’s comments were easily the most stupid comments made by a Republican.
Wake up conservatives – this is the America of 2010 where shakedowns from a Chicago thug politician are the norm. No one gives a rat’s ass about it.otherwise we wouldnt be having a President Obama !!
The oil industry has a generally negative image to begin with. There are bigger battles to fight – healthcare nationalization may never be stalled but its worst excesses needs to be contained. The US is losing the war in AfPak… i could go on and on
Instead we have people feeling sorry for BP being shakendown. May be if conservatives are that deeply convinced that Americans find this shakedown so disgraceful, they can campaign on it.
The Donkeys are laughing their asses off that the idiot Barton came to their rescue.. Barton’s apology will be running in a loop and show how Republicans are more sorry for Big Business.
DR Krauthammer is dead on as he is able to envision how public outrage will now transfer from BP to the GOP.Nice work, Barton.
nagee76 on June 20, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Yep. If treason prosper, none dare call it treason.
Bugler on June 20, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Yep. If treason prosper, none dare call it treason.
Bugler on June 20, 2010 at 11:54 AM
@Bugler,
I ve already made it clear that it is indeed a shakedown… but so what ?? This country does not care about it. This is the America of 2010 – not 1776.
Besides i have zero sympathy for BP. I have absolutely no sympathy for a company that contributed more to Barack Obama, tried to pose as a company that was “Beyond Petroleum” (yeah,right!) and now is being shaken down. It serves them just right.
The last few weeks,Obama’s incompetence have been on display for the entire country and the world to see (im back home in India now)… and look what Barton has done now. With his DUMB comments, he has given the Donks a chance to do their traditional demagoguery.
Why do you think the GOP leadership reacted so fast and made him apologize over the apology ? They know how this will play out.
Whether you like it or not, whether you want to face it or not, oil companies have a negative image in the US to begin with. They are seen as rapacious big businesses that would dig for oil if it was found in your back yard. I guarantee you, no one gives a rat’s ass that BP is being shaken down – except conservatives of course.
This is the America that you are living in – a country where its chief executive is no better than Al Capone- something a majority of its citizens have no problems with.
If conservatives are still convinced that Barton’s comments were not stupid, may be they should campaign on it – and tell the American people how sorry they are for BP. Go ahead, have it your way.
nagee76 on June 20, 2010 at 12:28 PM
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/06/17/public-still-disapproves-of-obama-response-to-oil-spill-after-sp/
“Sixty-seven percent said Obama had not been tough enough on BP while 26 percent said his efforts had been about right, with 5 percent calling his approach to the oil company “too tough” and 2 percent undecided.”
Wow… just wow..
That said, 82 percent approved of the creating of the multi-billion dollar fund to pay claims and 54 percent trusted the federal government more than BP to improve the situation (32 percent trusted BP more) with 12 percent trusting neither.
A.In short 4 out of 5 Americans, SUPPORT THE SHAKEDOWN..
B.more than half trust the Federal Govt to improve the situation….. inspite of EVERY miserable thing the grossly incompetent Federal Govt has done till date in response to the spill..
C.Two thirds of this country wants Obama to be “more tough on BP”… tougher than a good old fashioned Chicago style shakedown ?? i assume they would like the CEO to be jailed ?
Amidst all this, Barton says that he feels sorry for BP… thankfully Atleast some conservatives like Dr CK are able to see clearly how this is playing out.
nagee76 on June 20, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Absolutely. The only way to win is to refuse to fight.
Bugler on June 20, 2010 at 2:20 PM
” 82 percent approved of the creating of the multi-billion dollar fund to pay claims ”
Wrong. Have you read the survey question? No, you haven’t.
Bugler on June 20, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Yep. No need to quibble about details like equal justice under law, right?
Bugler on June 20, 2010 at 2:24 PM
I suspect that’s precisely what will happen. That’s not good news for your GOP.
Bugler on June 20, 2010 at 2:26 PM
Apparently none of those books cover asset forfeiture and seizure.
The Race Card on June 20, 2010 at 2:34 PM
You and anyone else can read about asset forfeiture and seizure in the Constitution and Bill of Rights (4th Amendment due process) and in your state’s laws regarding same.
No books are necessary.
I did go to law school, however.
Jenfidel on June 20, 2010 at 4:54 PM
Couldn’t agree more: stupid but true.
sharinlite on June 20, 2010 at 7:05 PM
–So, are you a practicing lawyer, Jen?
Jimbo3 on June 21, 2010 at 11:26 AM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4