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Title: Top Republican Joins Chorus Calling For Rep. Barton To Step Aside
Source:
THE HILL
URL Source: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-brief ... r-barton-to-resign-energy-post
Published: Jun 18, 2010
Author: Molly Hooper
Post Date: 2010-06-18 15:49:34 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 28637
Comments: 53
Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) added his name to the list of Republicans calling on Rep. Joe Barton to step aside as ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce committee. The Gulf Coast GOP lawmaker, incensed that Barton apologized to BP at Thursday's high-profile hearing, released a statement on Friday saying that Barton's comments "sadly fall short of an appropriate response." In that statement Bonner, the ranking member of the House ethics panel, revealed that he talked to Barton on Friday morning. "As I told him, I believe the damage of his comments are beyond repair and, as such, I am today calling on Joe to do the right thing for our conference and immediately step aside as Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee," Bonner said in the statement. Bonner, a member of House Minority Leader John Boehner's inner-circle, has been characterized as one of the "calmest guys in the legislative body." But, on Friday, his ire at Barton could not be abated. "There is no other way to say it… Joe’s comments were stupid and extremely insensitive to the hundreds of thousands of people who live along the Gulf Coast – many in my district – who are literally watching their way of life be destroyed by this catastrophe," Bonner's statement read. After threats from House GOP leaders that he should "apologize, immediately," Barton said his comments were "misconstructed." Barton added that he regretted any confusion over his comments calling a White House meeting with BP heads a "shakedown" after BP agreed to create a $20 billion escrow account for residents affected by the on-going oil spill in the Gulf Coast. Barton aides did not comment for this story.
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 11.
#4. To: Brian S (#0)
Here is the script of the DNC ad: VOICEOVER: BP caused the worst oil spill in American history. [Images or video of spill] VOICEOVER: Now, at President Obama's direction, BP's set aside 20 billion for recovery on the Gulf coast. [Images of Obama at the White House with BP execs; images of video of the spill] VOICEOVER: But if Republicans were in charge, this is the guy who'd be overseeing BP. VIDEO OF BARTON: "...I apologize." VOICEOVER: He apologized to BP and called the recovery fund a "tragedy." VIDEO OF BARTON: "So I apologize." VOICEOVER: Republicans apologizing to BP? Tell Republicans: Stop apologizing to big oil.
Effective ad. Here's what I said about this over at Lucianne.com: Reply 104 - Posted by: Badeye, 6/18/2010 4:50:12 PM (No. 6614411) Barton did great right up til he apologized to BP. Today, the Democrats already have a very effective commercial out, citing Barton's apology via video/audio, and noting he would be in charge of overseeing BP if the Republicans win the House this November. Everything he said was 100% correct. But when he apologized to the company that is directly responsible for the biggest enviromental disaster (man made) in our nations history...he handed the Democrats multiple news cycles, a great promo for their reelection efforts, and gave the Owe-bama administration some breathing room they desperately needed. It was a mistake you expect from a rookie first term Congressional Candidate, not a guy thats been there for 25 years, and has headed this same committee. Strictly from a political viewpoint, it was a greivous error, folks. JMHO. Lets just hope it doesn't have legs.
It has daddy long legs, as in spider. Count on it. Not that there is any difference between the two factions of one party. This will make great Kabuki Theater.
#12. To: Fred Mertz, ALL (#11)
I doubt it. Already off the top of the news, by Monday nobody but the kool aidersw will be talking about it. Cling to your dreams, though, freddie...(laughing)
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#8. To: Fred Mertz (#4)
#11. To: Badeye (#8)
Strictly from a political viewpoint, it was a greivous error, folks. JMHO. Lets just hope it doesn't have legs.
Replies to Comment # 11. 
#14. To: Fred Mertz (#11)
End Trace Mode for Comment # 11.
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