Comments on: Dems blow it: McCain allies kill Gang-of-20 (duh!) http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/19/dems-blow-it-mccain-allies-kill-gang-of-20-duh/ The Latest on Climate Science, Solutions, and Politics Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:18:00 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Brian M http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/19/dems-blow-it-mccain-allies-kill-gang-of-20-duh/#comment-19334 Brian M Sat, 20 Sep 2008 00:29:49 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/19/dems-blow-it-mccain-allies-kill-gang-of-20-duh/#comment-19334 It looks to me almost like maybe the Dems are trying to go "all-in" on winning the election rather than fighting this battle now. Maybe they are letting the moratorium die in order to remove the talking point from the last month of the election. Maybe they think that if the GOP can't use this club Obama has a better chance of getting elected. If that happens, then they can restore the moratorium next spring (it's not like any drilling is going to happen in the next 6 months) and move on the other aspects of their energy ideas with what will very probably be a larger majority in both bodies. On the other hand, if that doesn't help Obama and McCain pulls it out, the drilling issue is probably decided (at least for 4 years). However, as Joe has repeatedly pointed out, nothing comes of it for at least 10 years anyway. At that point, unless they get a super majority, the Democratic congress won't be able to do much but put the renewable and other "all of the above" items into legislation and force the GOP president to either put up or expose himself very publicly as a complete liar bought and paid for by big oil. Now, given the climate change stakes, I'm not sure this is a gamble I'd take. I think I would have gone Joe's route and forced a quick vote and statement right now, and then hammered McCain as an untrustworthy, flip-flopping, dishonest, same-o same-o, bought and paid for Washington insider. I guess Obama better win. It looks to me almost like maybe the Dems are trying to go “all-in” on winning the election rather than fighting this battle now. Maybe they are letting the moratorium die in order to remove the talking point from the last month of the election. Maybe they think that if the GOP can’t use this club Obama has a better chance of getting elected. If that happens, then they can restore the moratorium next spring (it’s not like any drilling is going to happen in the next 6 months) and move on the other aspects of their energy ideas with what will very probably be a larger majority in both bodies.

On the other hand, if that doesn’t help Obama and McCain pulls it out, the drilling issue is probably decided (at least for 4 years). However, as Joe has repeatedly pointed out, nothing comes of it for at least 10 years anyway. At that point, unless they get a super majority, the Democratic congress won’t be able to do much but put the renewable and other “all of the above” items into legislation and force the GOP president to either put up or expose himself very publicly as a complete liar bought and paid for by big oil.

Now, given the climate change stakes, I’m not sure this is a gamble I’d take. I think I would have gone Joe’s route and forced a quick vote and statement right now, and then hammered McCain as an untrustworthy, flip-flopping, dishonest, same-o same-o, bought and paid for Washington insider.

I guess Obama better win.

]]> By: Jay Alt http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/19/dems-blow-it-mccain-allies-kill-gang-of-20-duh/#comment-19324 Jay Alt Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:55:12 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/19/dems-blow-it-mccain-allies-kill-gang-of-20-duh/#comment-19324 Jon - When the ban expires, the GOP will need another hot topic in the leadup to Nov 4. Jon -
When the ban expires, the GOP will need another hot topic in the leadup to Nov 4.

]]> By: Jon http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/19/dems-blow-it-mccain-allies-kill-gang-of-20-duh/#comment-19321 Jon Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:15:46 +0000 http://climateprogress.org/2008/09/19/dems-blow-it-mccain-allies-kill-gang-of-20-duh/#comment-19321 One has to wonder if the democrats actually wanted a bill passed before Oct 1st? The republicans aren't the only group that sleeps with BIGCO. I have to believe that if they were serious, they would get something done. I see little difference in the two political groups these days. With about 10 days left, though... who knows? One has to wonder if the democrats actually wanted a bill passed before Oct 1st? The republicans aren’t the only group that sleeps with BIGCO.

I have to believe that if they were serious, they would get something done. I see little difference in the two political groups these days. With about 10 days left, though… who knows?

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