Gingrich shows support for Republicans' energy protest

Continuing their protest, the House Republicans held a press conference in Statuary Hall in the Capitol with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Congressman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) said Congress must come back from its five-week vacation and produce an up-or-down vote on the Republicans' American Energy Act. He said the Republicans will continue their protest on the House floor without microphones and lights until they get their vote.

Gingrich said there are pro-energy Democrats as well as pro-Energy Republicans. He said that although Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will block any vote, he is confident that the bill will achieve a majority when Congress returns in early September. Congressman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) said Democrats and Republicans can come together to make lasting pro-energy changes, but Speaker Pelosi must call back Congress, or at the very least schedule a vote on the first day Congress returns. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) called on Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to speak to Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.) about bringing back the Senate as well, as the push for pro-energy legislation should be a two-party effort.

After the press conference, at 11:00 a.m., Putnam and Foxx, among other representatives, retreated to the House floor to continue their protest. Representatives spoke in front of more than four hundred tourists in the chamber. Putnam said that every day the House is out of session is another day the U.S. is dependent on foreign energy. The crowds in the chamber gave a massive standing ovation when Foxx declared the United States "the greatest country in the world."

Reaching out to “Sam’s Club Republicans”

The governor of Minnesota reached out to “Sam’s Club Republicans,” Americans who want an efficient government at an affordable price, at a press event. Governor Tim Pawlenty said many Americans agree with the Republican Party ideologically yet vote Democratic under the presumption that Republican policies do not favor the working class. Pawlenty said Republicans must be optimistic, make compromises when possible, and develop ideas based in issues important to Americans. He praised President Reagan for having possessed these abilities and said Republicans must re-focus Reagan’s message to young voters who do not remember the Reagan era.

According to Pawlenty, Americans agree with the Republican premise of fiscal responsibility and support a government that spends tax money responsibly on a balanced budget. He said the Republican Party can lead the way for change by boldly tackling energy and reforming the infrastructure of government programs rather than increasing finances blindly.

Pawlenty, who has been speculated as a potential vice presidential pick for Sen. John McCain, said that McCain’s displays hope in his life story while Barack Obama’s hope is only an oratory. He questioned if Obama’s celebrity status transcends the ability for many to consider the substance of Obama’s message and echoed McCain’s opposition to a withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. When asked what qualities should be found in a vice president, Pawlenty answered with one word, "discretion."

McCain undoubtedly stronger on energy

The campaign for Senator John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) presidency held a conference call to discuss McCain’s stance on energy policy compared to Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Doug Holtz-Eakin said McCain understands that anything and everything must be done to end the U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Holtz-Eakin said McCain’s energy plan is comprehensive, including domestic production of oil, more hybrid and electric transportation, and new nuclear power plants. In contrast, he said Obama says no to new exploration, new coal power, new nuclear power, and new explorations of domestic supplies. He said McCain is not afraid to “reach across the aisle” in energy policy, aiming to do whatever he can to provide Americans with more options.

Jerry Hruby, the McCain campaign’s Northeast Ohio chair and the mayor of Brecksville, Ohio, said McCain believes that every energy source needs to be part of the energy solution. Contrastingly, he said Obama seems to have a problem with every energy source. He said Obama is now merely struggling respond to McCain’s consistent leadership on energy issues.

21st century may see decline of the US

"On the streets of Miami, an AK-47 is cheaper to buy than a Playstation", said Manny Diaz, Mayor of Miami and President of the US Conference of Mayors. He spoke about the challenge to the next presidential administration to invest in solutions to the growing problems that threaten America's cities and metropolitan areas.

Diaz said that over 85 percent of Americans live in metropolitan cities. In addition he said that 1 in 6 children in America currently live in poverty, and that 60 percent of children cannot read or do math at their appropriate grade level. In addition, he said that America's infrastructure is severely underfunded. He worries that in the 21st century we will see the economic decline of the United States much in the way Europe declined during the 20th century.

Though initially backing Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) for president, Diaz has not given an official endorsement to either Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) or Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.). However, he did say that he would only consider backing either candidate should they choose to endorse the Mayors' 10-Point Plan, which outlines 10 policy issues that many mayors across the nation feel the upcoming presidential administration must address to foster stronger cities and metropolitan regions.

Michelle Obama says voting is the “solemn responsibility” of African American citizens

During a conference call held to kickoff the Obama campaign's nationwide voter registration efforts in African American communities, Michelle Obama, wife of presumptive nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois), talked about the importance of voting in African American communities. She explained that over 26 million African Americans are eligible to vote, yet 32 percent, about eight million of them, are not registered.

Mrs. Obama said that her father loved educating people on the rights and responsibilities of voting, and she is very grateful to him for teaching her the value of voting at a young age. Mrs. Obama explained that the American people are finally challenging one another to talk about the world and they are finally realizing the opportunities and possibilities of the future. She said she loves seeing the "outpouring of new voters," and is urging everyone across the country to register and vote this coming November. Mrs. Obama said she is "voting for her daughters," to "honor her father's past," and "for future generations."

Mrs. Obama explained that throughout the primary season, the Obama campaign registered more than half a million voters. She encouraged all Americans to “cast their ballots for change” in the spirit of Barack Obama’s vision to “narrow the gap between the world as it is, and the world as it should be.”