In empty House, GOP engages in political theater

Seattle Times ^ | 8/16/08

[Libloather]

In empty House, GOP engages in political theater
By McClatchy Newspapers and Newhouse News Service
Saturday, August 16, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM

WASHINGTON — No votes are being cast and C-SPAN's cameras aren't turned on, but Congress' August recess hasn't stopped more than 100 House Republicans from appearing on the House floor during the past two weeks to demand a vote on expanding domestic oil drilling.

**SNIP**

The not-ready-for-prime-time effort to embarrass the Democrats into debating offshore drilling might be having an impact.

**SNIP**

The Republicans might be doing the honorable thing. After all, House members will earn nearly $170,000 this year, and so far they've worked just 96 days.

**SNIP**

The crowds for the sit-in aren't standing-room-only. You have to impeach somebody to draw that kind of interest. But think of a town-hall meeting, political free-fire zone and pep rally rolled into one. When a congressman extolled the virtues of "American energy," the audience cheered. That kind of behavior usually would trigger a quick gavel.

"Strange," deputy House historian Fred Beuttler mused. "We've never seen this before."

These are not normal times. The visitors have been invited to sit on the House floor, for example, on the leather-upholstered benches that the lawmakers usually occupy.

Indeed, to see the "people's House" filled with real people in flip-flops, shorts and baseball caps, is kind of a jolt. But reaffirming.

**SNIP**

Too bad he didn't stop there. Unable to repress his inner partisan, Westmoreland continued, "This is about Nancy Pelosi versus the people of the United States. She's elected by the San Francisco mentality."

[Libloather]

House members will earn nearly $170,000 this year, and so far they've worked just 96 days.

The results of all that hard work - they've banned the light bulb.

[Need4Truth]

the Republican stunt? I think the stunt was Pelosi shutting down the House early and turning off the lights and cameras.

[kindred]

I wish they would switch from the now liberal republican to the third party Conservative Party, I love the man Chuck Baldwin, and begin the necessasary exodus from the other liberal republican party to the new and true conservative “Constitution Party”.
McCain deserves to lose as the whole republican party deserves to lose for treason to America’s true conservative base.

[Need4Truth]

I was wondering if the democrats split is bad enough, if a third party (true conservative) could actually win.

[Need4Truth]

“”This is not about Republicans versus Democrats,” said Republican Rep. Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia.
Too bad he didn’t stop there...”

Too bad he said it at all. A vote for any Democrat/environmentalist is a vote for higher energy costs.

[Calpernia]

“projection” is owned by liberals.

[freema]

Indeed, to see the "people's House" filled with real people in flip-flops, shorts and baseball caps, is kind of a jolt. But reaffirming.

It sure would be nice to see some pictures : (

[impeachedrapist]

Good grief, that’s one pathetic post.

[CMailBag]

sniff, sniff, I smell a “Ron Paul Sore Loser”

[mouse1]

We need a vote
Nazi Pelosi AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
202-425-4965

We need emergency session
President Bush comments@whitehouse.gov
202-456-1111

John Boehner invited McCain to join them
McCain needs to get his a$$ to Washington where he belongs
It will bring the much needed media attention
http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/

[A_perfect_lady]

Why isn’t C-SPAN filming this?? This is history in the making!

[autumnraine]

Because Nancy Pelosi apparently controls C-Span

[KarlInOhio]

The cameras belong to the House and the Senate, not to C-Span. They are turned on and off at the orders of the Congressional leadership. All C-Span could show is a black screen or a test pattern without an operating camera. However, an test pattern with a running commentary of the action on the floor could add even more to the shaming of Speaker Pelosi.

[isrul]

It's meaningless and will accomplish nothing. They can beat their gums endlessly to no avail. Bush, the schmuck hasn't the spine to call the RATs back. He could call them back again and again until something is addressed. But he isn't man enough.

[tillacum]

That’s a little over $221.00 per hour, if they put in an 8 hour day? I’m not good with math.

[jmaroneps37]

No ratmedia bias here right? This scumbag mocks efforts to get his party to do something to help America as she struggles to fill gas tanks and refrigerators. And these swine wonder why their circulation numbers keep dropping.

[Libloather]

That’s a little over $221.00 per hour, if they put in an 8 hour day?

Typical lawyer fees. And these perps want to run your health care?

[Libloather]

No ratmedia bias here right?

I take what I can get. Still, the word is getting out.