McCain hasn't signed (offshore oil drilling)

[suedanim]

Maybe he will. Maybe he won't. The important thing is, you Republicans just don't know. No one does. He proposed it, pushed it, touted it as our great savior from $4 a gallon gas... So why hasn't he lined up and signed on yet?? Lindsey Graham, one of his caregivers, already has.

Perhaps John McCain is considering signing on to the "gang of 10" plan.


McCain hasn't signed (http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/dinan/2008/Aug/12/mccain-hasnt-signed/)



POSTED August 12 2008 3:59 PM BY Stephen Dinan (http://washingtontimes.com/users/sdinan/)




Senate Republicans are stiffening spines for what could be the final showdown on expanding offshore oil drilling, but Sen. John McCain (http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/dinan/themes/?Theme=John+McCain) has not yet signed on.

In a letter to Senate leaders (http://demint.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=b5b210ec-efff-4c8c-c347-1256409027f1) Jim DeMint, the South Carolina Republican who has taken a hard stance in favor of drilling, says he's rallied 36 senators to pledge to "actively oppose" any effort to extend the offshore drilling ban beyond Oct. 1.

Republicans have leverage, because Congress must actively extend the ban or it sunsets automatically. Democrats are looking to attach an extension to another must-pass bill, to try to force Republicans to accept it.

But McCain, who earlier this year flipped positions and now embraces more offshore drilling, had not signed on as of this morning. Oddly, his legislative shadow, Sen. Lindsey Graham, has.

Republicans' Senate leader, Mitch McConnell, also hasn't signed because the letter is addressed to him, but if he and McCain were both to join in, that would give Republicans 38 votes — just three shy of being able to guarantee a filibuster.

[micfranklin]

Maybe he's too busy campaigning to pay much attention.

[suedanim]

Perhaps this explains McCain's dilemma and even more about how the GOP moonbats think.

Perhaps this explains McCain's dilemma.
GOP Senators Killing Energy Issue for Republicans and America (http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/?p=757)

Posted by Bobby Eberle (http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/?page_id=8)
August 12, 2008 at 6:26 am

Last week, I wrote on efforts by House GOP members to draw attention to the fact that Nancy Pelosi sent House members home for the summer without a vote on domestic oil drilling. The American people want it, and the GOP House members are fighting for it. I also wrote on how big the energy issue is. It could be THE issue of the upcoming elections... an issue upon which Republicans could run AND win.

However, this is a new week, and whenever too much time passes, there is bound to be a new effort by the GOP to stall momentum and stab conservatives right in the heart. Who needs Democrats when so many GOP "leaders" act just like them? Now, we have the "Gang of 10." This group of senators (5 Republicans and 5 Democrats) claims to have forged a "bi-partisan energy compromise." In reality, we have a group of five GOP senators who are set on taking the winning issues of drilling and energy off the table and selling out to the liberals.


A report in Investor's Business Daily (IBD) (http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=303088152935198) sums up the situation perfectly: "If you thought Republicans were no longer 'The Stupid Party,' then you haven't met the senators who may have just destroyed the GOP's biggest hope this election year: the drilling issue."

IBD summarizes the issue as follows:
Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John Thune of South Dakota — remember their names if things go badly for the GOP this November.

With the issue of domestic drilling to provide relief for suffering consumers landing right in the laps of embattled congressional Republicans, those five — none of whom faces any immediate danger of losing his seat — decided to join with some crafty Democrats and smash to pieces that gift from the heavens.

The "compromise" they are promoting is actually a wholesale giveaway to Democrats. Touted as a drilling plan, it actually imposes about $84 billion in new taxes on oil companies and keeps the offshore and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling bans.
The drilling issue is a winning issue for Republicans. In order to reduce prices, we need more supply. To get more supply, we need more drilling. The American people are calling for more drilling, and with Democrats in opposition, this issue could help tremendously in November. Increasing domestic oil production is the conservative approach. We don't need more taxes or government controls. We don't need to leave our security in the hands of Middle Eastern governments. We need more oil supply at home as America continues its trend of conservation and seeking out more fuel efficient vehicles.

However, as IBD notes, "These Republicans are placing Sen. John McCain in a tough position."
If he supports the plan, he'll invite the ire of GOP anti-tax crusaders — already uncertain about him for past opposition to the Bush tax cuts. If he opposes it, his claim of being a uniter will be questioned. The five have also done Obama a favor. His support would neutralize drilling as an issue to be used against him and make him look bipartisan.

These GOP stooges could end up being the Five Fingers of Death for their party come November.
The Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121815293390922431.html?mod=hpp_us_inside_today) described the issue in this way: "Politics has its puzzling moments. John McCain and most of the GOP experienced one late last week. That was when five of their own set about dismantling the best issue Republicans have in the upcoming election."

The WSJ explains that by "riding voter discontent over high gas prices, the GOP has made antidrilling Democrats this summer's headlines." But, along comes the Gang of 10, complete with five GOP senators who are quite eager to stick it to conservatives and cave in to the Democrats.
The plan is a Democratic giveaway. New production on offshore federal lands is left to state legislatures, and then in only four coastal states. The regulatory hurdles are huge. And the bill bars drilling within 50 miles of the coast -- putting off limits some of the most productive areas. Alaska's oil-rich Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is still a no-go.

The highlight is instead $84 billion in tax credits, subsidies and federal handouts for alternative fuels and renewables. The Gang of 10 intends to pay for all this in part by raising taxes on . . . oil companies! The Sierra Club couldn't have penned it better. And so the Republican Five has potentially given antidrilling Democrats the political cover they need to neutralize energy through November.
Lost in all this is the fact that these GOP senators have basically driven a steam-roller over the efforts of GOP House members. These House members were gaining traction with their "protest" and drawing more attention to the drilling issue. Now, GOP senators want to sign on to more taxes and continued drilling bans? This is crazy.

So far, Sen. John McCain has not signed on to the "Gang of 10" energy plan. He should NOT do it. If he does, he helps kill the issue and will be showing his support for more government controls and higher taxes on business. That is not conservative, and that is not how to win on this issue. We need more domestic drilling, and `

[Blueneck]

I think he get on board with the compromise. He knows he probably won't get the RR and much of the Republican base out on election day, so he'll appeal to moderates by showing how he can reach across the isle and end gridlock. It's a point already being brought up on Sunday talk shows.

Political ploy part B. Abandon the base and go for the center.

[Mouth Full Of Teeth]

McCain will get the support from the Republican base becuase they don't like the alternative....not because they like McCain. Although, I agree that you could see less of the base energized enough to go out and vote for someone they don't like, but just to keep the other guy out of office.

Obama, on the other hand, I believe will have the support of the Democratic base. There are still some reverberations from the messy primary election, but the base is more likely to be energized for Obama.

Where Obama and McCain (and where the election will be decided) is in the moderates.

I find it funny that oil drilling is seen as a good issue for McCain to win on. First, it's a false issue. The problem isn't so much supply as it is oil speculation and fears due to instability in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East along with the falling dollar... Second, if McCain is going to run on this issue, he better be prepared to even stronger comparisons with former oil-man President Bush... He keeps trying to run away from this historically unpopular president...but, in the end, I'm not sure it will work for him.

I think the American people ARE looking for change...and McCain isn't it.

We'll see if Obama can ride it out. I think the biggest thing going against Obama is the possibility of Obama screwing it up...some huge gaffle. As it is, I think that what McCain does is pretty irrelevant. Obama has to lose it. McCain, I don't believe, has much of a chance to win it.

[suedanim]

Republicans and other anti-Democrats or anti-Obama types won't touch this topic. They have no pat answer. Hannity, Limbaugh and Kristol haven't told them what to think yet. Got to find a way to spin this shit.

:drool:

I think he's gonna sign on with the "gang of ten" and spin it from there. The spin will talk about what a compromiser he is. But, how will he satisfy the wingnuts at GOPUSA, the hardcore right and oil lobby?

:evil: He can't.

[Blueneck]

I find it funny that oil drilling is seen as a good issue for McCain to win on. First, it's a false issue. The problem isn't so much supply as it is oil speculation and fears due to instability in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East along with the falling dollar... Second, if McCain is going to run on this issue, he better be prepared to even stronger comparisons with former oil-man President Bush... He keeps trying to run away from this historically unpopular president...but, in the end, I'm not sure it will work for him.

He also better prepare for having his vote against drilling in ANWAR thrown back in his face.

[suedanim]

Its going to be interesting to watch how McCain and his lobbyist campaign staff handle this. Buttbuddy Lindsey Graham has already signed up with the "gang of 10". Obama will probably compromise too. McCain has to take a stand somewhere.

In light of his recent poor performance while attempting to sound CICish regarding Georgia, I expect we will see yet another cave. He will compromise, even though he huffed and puffed.

He created a major issue for GOPers to sink their teeth into, but when all is said and done..... our gas prices will continue to rise for years to come. Offshore oil drilling NOW... is not going to lower the cost of gas... for years, if ever.

[lily]

I think he has to wait for LIevrman to whisper in his ear.

[xLIBREx]

Realize what the criticism really is though; it's that there really aren't many "conservatives" left in the GOP. Instead you basically have the "left party" and the "far left party." I would say that is pretty accurate as both sides are addicted to taking our money and spending it. What's "conservative" about that?

[suedanim]

But, the point of this thread is that John McCain has not yet even signed up to the very movement he touted as his BIG IDEA...his vehicle on the fast track into the Oval Office. Yep, this is John McCain's solution to the energy crisis and he has yet to sign on to it.

Where's his signature on his signature push for the WH?

[PostmodernProphet]

But, the point of this thread is that John McCain has not yet even signed up to the very movement he touted as his BIG IDEA...h

I am puzzled, Sue....how is a proposal to prevent drilling and raise taxes McCain's Big Idea?.....I don't recall seeing either of those proposals anywhere in his plan......