MyDD :: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling

Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling

by kosnomore, Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:14:16 AM EST

Little Miss Can't-Stick-to-an-Agenda just did it again.

Fresh off her vanity (ghost written) book tour ('cause she had nothing better to take care of, right?), Miss Nancy caved on offshore drilling.

"Democrats' stance against offshore drilling has shifted more, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signaling on Saturday her willingness to consider opening up more coastal areas to oil and gas exploration."

"In her party's weekly radio address, Pelosi said opening portions of the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling would be a part of energy legislation that House Democrats intend to put forward in the coming weeks to address oil dependence and high gasoline prices."

"Lawmakers will be able to "consider opening portions of the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling, with appropriate safeguards, and without taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil," said Pelosi, D-Calif."

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics /AP/story/644761.html

So, we can't cut off funding for the Iraq war, or hold hearings on impeachment, or stop government sanctioned torture, or limit wiretapping and privacy violations, because DEMOCRATS want those things.

Yet, we can cave (repeatedly) to the REPUBLICAN positions on the war, torture, privacy, appointments and now off shore drilling.

Yes, yes, yes, I can already hear the Pelos-apologists: Read the fine print, it will be part of a "comprehensive" "package".

But, "just weeks ago Pelosi seemed resolved to block any votes to allow offshore drilling."

Now, "Pelosi's radio remarks were the latest to hint that the energy debate in Congress is still evolving, and that Democrats are budging on the issue."

And folks wonder why we're having trouble getting our message through. People vote for stands and positions on issues, not "evolving" and "budging" "centrist" "compromise".

I keep going back to the words of Harry Truman: "Given the choice between a Republican and someone who acts like a Republican, people will vote for the real Republican all the time."

Or, if you prefer: "If you don't stand for something, you stand for nothing."

Poll

Votes: 14
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Tags: 2008, oil drilling, Nancy Pelosi (all tags)

Permalink :: 41 Comments :: Post a Comment

Tips for a NEW speaker. (2.00 / 1)

Someone with guts and grit this time. I guess a democrat in San Francisco never has to learn to fight.

I'm still a sceptic!

by kosnomore on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:17:22 AM EST

Do you ever have anything (none / 0)

constructive to say.

This is a bargaining chip for the dems, with the potential to put the R's on the defensive.

Nothing has been written in stone, and yet you rail on and on.

Are you really a progressive?

overthrow the government~participate

by missliberties on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 12:16:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes, it's all brilliant strategy !!! (2.00 / 2)

A mere "bargaining chip" - - - just like FISA and Iraq and torture and . . .
At least there's no homophobic remark today!

I'm still a sceptic!

by kosnomore on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 12:37:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

And asking / expecting progressives (2.00 / 1)

to stand by their explicit progressive campaign promises is one of your indicia that I'm not a progressive - - wow, I like that logic!
Maybe you should adhere to principles, and not turn on a dime whenever you receive an order from above.
God gave us minds for a reason.

I'm still a sceptic!

by kosnomore on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 12:44:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling (2.00 / 1)

Wanna send a message to Nancy?

http://www.cindyforcongress.org/

"harlequin speech of suicide, demanding instantaneous lobotomy"

by nogo postal on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:19:45 AM EST

Dang, nogo, we agree on this - - (none / 0)

I didn't want to link to an anti demo nominee site (it's genetic multi generational), but I'm with ya' on this.

I'm still a sceptic!

by kosnomore on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:30:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dang, nogo, we agree on this - - (none / 0)

Far as I'm concerned, losing Speaker Pelosi would be wonderful for the democratic party.

by Cincinnatus on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 12:25:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dang, nogo, we agree on this - - (2.00 / 1)

a much better alternative;

http://www.shirley08.com/index.php

by zerosumgame on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 03:05:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling (2.00 / 1)

She is the biggest disappointment since...crap...I don't know when.

Pelosi and Reid are right now, the two biggest obstacles to Democratic progress and putting together a true "comprehensive package" that America clearly wants.

Sometimes I have to actually make sure and check behind their names to verify that they are actually still representing to be D's.

Amazing. Next, we'll see Pelosi saying she's gonna allow a vote on a Constitutional amendment on allowing a 3rd term for Bush.

She need's to get booted and quick. She can take Reid with her.

He that lives upon hope, will die fasting. -Ben Franklin

by TxDem08 on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:27:13 AM EST

Pelosi is worse - - (2.00 / 1)

He does need 60 votes on many issues because of Senate rules, and he relies on Lieberman for his minimal majority.
She needs 50% + 1 - - and she got more than that.

I'm still a sceptic!

by kosnomore on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:33:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling (2.00 / 3)

Or, if you prefer, Malcolm X: "If you don't stand for something, you stand for nothing."

Malcolm X actually said, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Yours is a bit closer to Bush's mangling: "If you don't stand for anything, you... don't stand for anything! If ... If you don't stand for something, you don't stand for anything!"

It irks me that we're still acting like we're the minority party, but the truth is on a lot of these issues, the Republicans have party discipline and we don't, which gives them an effective majority.

On this particular issue, you have the Gang of Ten in the Senate which gives the Republicans all the votes they need, and you have the Blue Dogs in the House which give the Republicans all the votes they ever need on any issue.

It is still a referendum on the absolute absence of leadership from Pelosi and Reid though. If these conservative-Democrats who keep enabling the Republicans don't want to be in our party then fine, I'm sure we can find some primary challengers who'd be more than happy to do better. Yet, Pelosi and Reid seem unwilling to exert any sort of leverage.

Proud member of the Wikipedia Generation of American politics

by BishopRook on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:31:21 AM EST

Good catch on the quote - - (2.00 / 1)

I fell for the apocrypha!
This is why you must never rely on memory!

I'm still a sceptic!

by kosnomore on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:34:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

and I edited diary - (none / 0)

Thx!

I'm still a sceptic!

by kosnomore on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:37:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling (none / 0)

" If these conservative-Democrats who keep enabling the Republicans don't want to be in our party then fine, I'm sure we can find some primary challengers who'd be more than happy to do better. "

- These " conservative democrats " are actually voting in line with their constituency .

So if you think you would find a liberal democrat to contest Schuler's seat in rural north carolina and win the primary then go ahead and win the general election , good luck with that.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 12:26:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling (2.00 / 1)

so you speak for every voter in her district? well that is a lie since I live in San Francisco and voted for. And I never will again. I am not sure why you think she owns that congressional seat, but she does not. I would much rather have a real dem/progressive then a bad deal maker only protecting her own privilege

by zerosumgame on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 03:08:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

She's never got below (none / 0)

like what 75% of the vote? Is she going to magically lose this year?

We'll see. Even if she does lose, big deal, we get Speaker Steny Hoyer. Yeah, big fucking improvement.

Or do you think the Democratic are going to go into a panic because the most liberal district in the national elected Cindy Sheehan?

Get Cindy elected in Missouri and I'll believe it's real.

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 03:23:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She's never got below (2.00 / 1)

so just give up and not even try? Gosh, what a wonderful answer...not for progressives or the country but I am sure that there are some people hoping for just that...

by zerosumgame on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 03:29:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I couldn't care less (none / 0)

Look, I was heavily involved in the primary campaign and what I've learned is that the liberal blogsphere is WAY out of touch with the rest of the country on most issues.

I like coming around here because it allows me to talk to people who agree with me, but as far as us having influence over the country, we have none. We are the fringes of the left. Most Democrats I know support offshore drilling and blame Pelosi and the Democrats for obstructing it.

Even more so, most Democrats I know want to nuke Moscow, bomb Iran, and couldn't care less if the government spies on them, as long as they don't get blown up on the subway.

The only thing we have, or had, the country was on Iraq and now most Democrats I know think the surge was a success.

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 03:38:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I couldn't care less (2.00 / 1)

hum, so you will only consider things you already agree with. yeah, how reasonable of you.

by zerosumgame on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 04:41:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm not dimissing a primary challenge (none / 0)

If I lived in San Francisco, I probably would even join you, but then vote for Nancy in the GE because, to be honest, Cindy Sheehan is a joke and has made a joke of herself.

What I'm saying is if you want to send a shock through the Democratic Party, you don't it in the 8th district of California. Defeating a woman who most of the country thinks is way too far left for the country because she isn't far enough left for us will turn us into even more of a fringe group than we already are.

If you're doing this for no other reason than to punish Pelosi, that's great, have fun.

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 06:25:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She's never got below (none / 0)

You and the previous poster have a good positions. It would be mice if some of the posters here and at the other sites would get that through their heads.

by spirowasright on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 04:17:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She's never got below (2.00 / 1)

wow I was not aware that your "position" was the only valid one and we must be stupid and need to "get it through our heads" or else. gosh it is so wunnerful to meet the perfect person!

by zerosumgame on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 04:40:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: She's never got below (none / 0)

I'm not perfect, but I have my head on straight when it comes to politics. That may be why I can't stand to follow it that closely.

by spirowasright on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 07:34:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Don't worry (none / 0)

Just like this whole offshore drilling "controversy", this bill is a sham. It is only for show.

I am not that trilled with Reid or Pelosi but they may do better with a D in the White House. If McCain wins in November I think we will need a more aggressive Speaker and Majority Leader.

Consider that everything which happens, happens justly, and if thou observest carefully, thou wilt find it to be so. -Marcus Aurelius

by Blue Neponset on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:40:40 AM EST

Re: Don't worry (2.00 / 2)

sorry, for this constituent of her's she has not earned a second, uh third, no fourth, oh well I have stopped counting the times she has caved to the repukes. My vote for her is "off the table".

by zerosumgame on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 11:12:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Agree (none / 0)

Nice to see a voice of reason.

overthrow the government~participate

by missliberties on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 12:18:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling (none / 0)

Point well taken on the direct link to Sheehan..
Sorry about that..
I did give Cindy $25 last month..

there is this going on also..
http://casadelogo.typepad.com/factesque/ 2008/08/pelosi-book-tou.html

"harlequin speech of suicide, demanding instantaneous lobotomy"

by nogo postal on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 09:52:10 AM EST

Re: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling (2.00 / 1)

We lost this battle at the end of June, when no democrat even tried to fight the scam that McCain was pushing with drilling.. he was able to build up the lie to a desperate and stupid public, and by the time some democrats started fighting back on the issue, it was too late...

Give the baby his bottle... too many people in the US are stupid about this issue, and there's not enough time to win them over...

Sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war... pelosi get s bill through, gas prices will fall after labor day, democrats are inoculated and can claim credit, and we go on to win the elections...

It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)

by LordMike on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 10:09:16 AM EST

Re: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling (none / 0)

I would like to add that it's not just us who are caving.... remember that McCain completely caved on iraq, which took the issue off the table and helped McCain in the polls way more than this drilling issue....

It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)

by LordMike on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 01:46:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sometimes, (none / 0)

I wish we had a fighter like Newt Gingrich. Sure, he was loud, unethical, and a complete piece of trash, but at least he tried to fight for his party. We need a Democratic Newt(minus his ethics)

by Lakrosse on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 10:44:38 AM EST

Um (2.00 / 1)

Newt Gingrich singlehandedly got Bill Clinton reelected.

Were you around in 1995? Do you remember what happened to Newt's popularity when he stuck to his guns and shut the government down?

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 01:17:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Um (none / 0)

BTW, it's interesting to note that this offshore drilling scam has been Newt's idea...

It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)

by LordMike on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 01:45:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes I was around, (none / 0)

and I said "minus the ethics" and baggage around him, but all I was doing was praising the fact that he actually fought the President, unlike Pelosi. He stopped a lot of Clinton initiatives. Pelosi has barely stopped any Bush initiatives.

by Lakrosse on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 03:03:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

He fought the President (none / 0)

and unpopular President at that...and lost.

Exactly what would have happened this time. Bush is not Clinton. Gingrich was able to stop at lot of Clinton's initiatives because Clinton blinked first. Bush will NEVER blink.

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 03:19:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Um (none / 0)

They were probably around, but they weren't paying attention.

by spirowasright on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 04:19:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling (none / 0)

Don't worry Nancy, we've got your back---and we're going to stick a meat cleaver in the middle of it.

The Blog Birch Society.

by spirowasright on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 12:27:48 PM EST

Re: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling (none / 0)

Good for Pelosi. She will come out with a bill that will be so disgusting to repugs that they won't vote for it, but will have enought repugs that is will look like a non-partisan bill. She is a genius. If Obama gets a chance to vote on it he will vote yes and look like he wants to work with repugs. McBush will miss the vote or vote no, and Obama can run ads against him. The democrats are starting to get smart.

by Spanky on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 12:51:47 PM EST

So this is INTENTIONAL (none / 0)

and not cowardice? Right.
Just like Gen Clark 's comments were part of the over arching strategy . . .

I'm still a sceptic!

by kosnomore on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 01:20:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

She should at least allow a vote (2.00 / 1)

This is more about how Pelosi runs the House than it is about drill/drill/drill.

By not allowing members to vote on key issues (Colombia Free Trade Agreement, Lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling), Pelosi is looking unreasonable and obstructionist. There is no way she can defend blocking up-or-down votes on important issues, especially those which voters care about; according to all published polls, 65-70% of likely voters are in favor of drill/drill/drill. During 10 painful minutes with George Stephanopolous last week, she could not offer a coherent response to his question, "Why not let the members of the House vote on offshore drilling?" Finally, she just started babbling about she "has to save the planet". At this point, many people are just laughing at her.

Running the Congress in an imperial manner invites unfavorable comparisons with Newt Gingrich, and we all know what happened to him.

by BJJ Fighter on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 01:17:55 PM EST

"has to save the planet" (none / 0)

I was already for drilling, that sham of an interview just made me sure that there was no valid reason against it.

"Is there no keeping with class in whom we mingle with anymore?"

by Brandon on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 01:36:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Pelosi caves (again) on offshore drilling (none / 0)

To more casual observers of the news (some average Americans), Pelosi does look like an obstructionist. She appears to be deaf to their pleas for lower fuel prices. When the cold weather arrives, she will seem even more out of touch and stubborn to those people.

by tweedlegram on Sun Aug 17, 2008 at 03:25:37 PM EST

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