GOP frustrated with dead-end drilling debate

Congressmen Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) and Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) held a pen and pad briefing on the recent American Energy Tour and used the opportunity to express their frustration with Democrats' anti-drilling position.

Putnam said that America has the tools it needs to solve the energy crisis, but requires new leadership to achieve energy independence. He said the Republicans plan on unveiling a bill that is an "all-of-the-above" approach to the oil crisis that includes measures on conservation, renewables, clean nuclear technology, and domestic exploration for oil. He said the bill would embody Republicans' open-mindedness and leadership, a stark contrast to Democrats' constant denial of even debate on the topic of drilling.

McCarthy said that in his recent tour of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), he learned that a key oil transmission line is not used to capacity and if exploration is not done, great amounts of oil will be lost. He said the Democrats' constant denial of drilling tells the American people that oil prices will continue to go up. Putnam added that Republicans are constantly offering what they are willing to do, while the Democrats only say what they are unwilling to do. He said his party is determined to force a vote on energy issues before the Congress breaks for August.

Obama is building a "persuasion army"

The Obama campaign manager Davide Plouffe spoke about the goals and attitude of the Obama campaign as they look toward the fall campaign season. In looking over the electoral map of the 2004 campaign, Plouffe said that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) will not hold much sway in the Kerry states. Obama is looking to have more of an offensive campaign and will be campaigning harder in Ohio and Florida then any presidential nominee in history, Plouffe said.

In New Mexico and Colorado the Obama campaign feels they have a significant lead and a big lead with Hispanic voters, 60 percent more saying they will vote democratically then in 2004, Plouffe said. The “west is a place of enormous opportunity for us,” Plouffe said, while the Midwest will be the battleground states. Many independent voters who self identify with democrats are growing and will be the votes that the campaign is fighting for.

The Obama campaign has several goals it is looking to focus on and accomplish my November: having a historically high African American turnout and a high turnout with voters under 40, register people to vote, help elect democrats down the ballot and to build grassroots organizations in every state. The state by state grassroots organizations will give the campaign a “persuasion army” to pull independents and others to vote for Obama.

Americans can’t afford democrats’ waiting-game

As national gas prices continue to increase, House Republicans held a news conference in response to the lack of a sufficient energy bill on the Hill. After having spent a week in their districts talking to constituents, speakers returned to Washington calling for legislation that would increase the domestic production of oil.

The importance of oil in the American economy was emphasized by Rep. John Carter (R-Texas). Carter said that an increase in gas prices will lead to an increase in production costs of all goods, an increase that would further stretch the wallets of the American consumer. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) added that gas prices are preventing middle class Americans from making an income and that continued high prices may cause many to experience severe financial struggles.

Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) discussed the effect of high fuel costs in his district and stated that a comprehensive energy plan must be developed for the United States. Latta said that it is crucial that Congress form a strategy soon, saying that otherwise one will not be developed. Latta also said that waiting to react on the issue of high gas prices is “a luxury we cannot afford” and that drilling in the ANWR would benefit the United States.

Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) expressed excitement when asked about the presidential campaign, saying that differences between republican and democratic policies in Congress can finally be brought to the forefront of presidential debates. Blunt noted that in the past twelve years, 85 percent of republicans have voted to increase the domestic production of oil while 85 percent of democrats have opposed increased domestic production, waiting rather for alternative solutions. Blunt said that republicans have a larger understanding of rising oil prices and intelligent solutions to the issue.

Majority Leader Hoyer discusses Democrats victories, cohesiveness in weekly pen and pad

In his weekly pen and pad briefing, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer discussed the schedule for the week ahead in addition to the achievements that the House Democrats have accomplished this session. Hoyer stated that H.R. 6049 The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 will be on the floor Wednesday and Thursday and the S.Con.Res. 70 on the Conference Report on the Concurrent Budget Resolution for 2009 will pass in the House, the first time a report such as this has passed since 2000. In addition to these bills, H.R. 5658 The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 will finish with discussion on Friday.

Hoyer also discussed the trip that 7 to 8 senior House Democratic leadership members led by Speaker Pelosi took over the weekend to Israel and Iraq. The delegation meant with the Prime Minister of Iraq in addition to Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus. Among the many issues discussed was how to handle the detainees being held. While meeting with General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, a positive view of progress was presented and Hoyer described the trip as a useful visit. Hoyer went on to say that 64% of Americans disagree with policy in Iraq and 26% of the Republican party disapproves with the policies in Iraq.

The trip to Israel was to acknowledge Israel's 60 years as a state and the delegation met with the President, Defense Minister, Speaker, and members of the Parliament. The newly elected speaker is the first woman to hold the position and Hoyer added that this was a historic meeting as it was with the first female Speaker of the U.S., Pelosi, and the first female Speaker of Israel. Hoyer said that the message of the trip was to state that the U.S. is a supporter of Israel and to recognize that Israel remains an "island of democracy in a sea of authoritarian governments."

Hoyer also touched on the victories in the special elections that the democrats have been gaining. The Democratic party won three elections in districts that voted for Bush and had incumbent Republican representatives. Hoyer stated, "Republicans continue to offer gamesmanship as opposed to substantive policy."

Notes on DNC Conference call on FEC complaint about John McCain

Intro by Karen Finney

Howard Dean, DNC Chairman
Joe Sandler, DNC General Counsel

FEC complaint to be filed tomorrow

Dean:
Tomorrow DNC will be filing complaint with FEC asking for investigation into McCain campaign. He cannot unilaterally withdraw from spending commitment.

He can't get out of matching funds agreement after using promise as collateral on loan. He has "material gain" from his fund.

When Dean got out of the program, he had an FEC vote to get out, and also he spent money to get on ballots, while McCain has gotten free ballot access as part of program.

Joe Sandler:
In letter this week, FEC commissioner said that McCain can't back out after he's written a letter to FEC saying he wanted to be in the program, and the FEC has taken a vote on McCain's eligibility. That was not the case with Dean and with Kerry, who pulled out before being certified by the FEC as being eligible. McCain is in the same situation as Gephardt was in 2003, and then the FEC said he couldn't get out without FEC consent.

And even if the FEC had a quorum and could vote, McCain can't get out after having used his participation in the program as collateral for a loan.

So McCain still subject to limitations, including spending limit. Based on how much spending he reported as of end of January, he has likely already violated, or is about to violate, that spending limit.

Dean:
So three violations: 1. Material benefit in free ballot access. 2. Material benefit in using as loan collateral. 3. (likely) spending limit violation.
McCain is not a reformer; he passes changes to benefit himself.

Question:
What kind of sanctions are you looking for? How can the commission act without a quorum?

Sandler:
They can begin to process the complaint without quorum. We hope there are no sanctions imposed, because we hope McCain will comply with the law. If he doesn't, potentially civil and criminal penalties.

Question:
Have you approached watchdog groups to ask them to join in complaint?

Dean:
Don't think so.

Sandler:
Those groups are non-partisan, so they wouldn't join a party in a complaint. They might call on McCain to follow the rules, though.

Question:
Dean's opinion on 527 groups active on Clinton and Obama sides?

Dean:
I haven't followed that.

Question:
Any chance of reaching out to RNC to together speak out against 527s?

Dean:
"I'm going to worry about the 527s at another time."
On McCain, "this is a major violation." This is "so Washington."

Question:
Said you want him to obey the law, but how can he go back in time and never apply for federal funding? So he can't spend another penny until he gets the nomination in September?

Dean:
I don't understand how someone with McCain's reputation can do this kind of thing. He says one thing and does another. "We want John McCain to obey the law with his own name on it."