How the GOP loses the election on the energy issue -

Remember a few months before the 2006 election? A split GOP boiled over on the immigration issue and the halls of Congress were jammed with phone calls, emails, petitions, and an angry electorate that would vote anyone out of office if they voted for that comprehensive immigration plan.

Congress heard it, and passed the positive components of immigration reform that America overwhelmingly supported. Like the wall. Just weeks before the election, almost every ounce of rage was sapped from the voting public because Congress got the message. We were going to actually build a wall. Problem solved.

We all know the result. The election of 2006 will be remembered as the Abramoff/some perv emailing pages/GOP debacle. Not immigration? Not energy? Weren’t Nussle, King, Latham, Whalen, and Lamberti all playing immigration and energy commercials in 2006? They sure were. And the voters could care less. Immigration was already solved and no one cared about the price of gas.

In August of 2008, Republicans are feeling like they have the Dems by the throat on energy. It should absolutely be a winner issue for us, just like immigration. The problem is “solving” it too soon.

Sure, I want drilling, blah, blah, blah, too. But the legislation and end result we want as conservative Republicans won’t happen. Congressional Dems have been getting an earful over the last couple of weeks of recess. They know they are losing on this issue. Now, Nancy Pelosi is “open” to drilling. Translation: House Dems with the help of “Gang of 14”-style Senate Republicans will concoct a compromise energy bill. It will include drilling, of course, but it will be loaded with gobs of loony left environmental drivel. We may even end up with a carbon tax out of it. If the GOP fights it, the media will make sure every American knows that the Dems tried, Bush lied, and energy independence died.

The problem is, none of the stuff we want out of the bill will ever come to fruition. We will be stuck with all the garbage. And the American public will lose their anger over energy as gas prices come down and we are promised energy independence. The November election will become a referendum on something stupid like which candidate has a better interview on Oprah.

Breaking News: When the Left left, the GOP remained

When Congress adjourned for the August recess, they left important energy legislation unfinished. Yet when the lights were turned out and the microphones were turned off by the Democrats in the House, Republicans remained to continue their efforts on energy issues.

In actions that turned Democratic lawmakers and aides apoplectic in their dismay, Republicans stood their ground – sometimes in the dark and without amplification. Capitol Police even attempted to remove the press from the gallery and were only held off when Minorty Whip Roy Blunt went to the gallery to speak with the press. His office sent out this statement:

"Although, this Democrat Majority just Adjourned for the Democrat 5-Week Vacation, House Republicans are continuing to fight on the House Floor. Although the lights, mics and C-SPAN cameras have been turned off, House Republicans are on the Floor speaking to the tax payers in the gallery who, not surprisingly, agree with Republican Energy proposals. All Republicans who are in town are encouraged to come to the House Floor."

It should be no surprise that House Democrats employ the same cut-and-run strategy in dealing with tough issues like energy and gas prices just as they would in the War on Terror. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is the poster child for disingenuous environmentalism. Her concern has little to do with offshore drilling and more to do with partisan politics and winning elections.

Kudos to the Republicans who stayed to do their job. We’re proud of you.