1:59– I just got connected to the GOP blogger conference call hosted by House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam. We’re scheduled to start momentarily.
2:05– Adam Putnam is starting to lay out “what might or might not be” in the Democrats’ bill. Reop. Putnam said that the House GOP changed the entire debate.
2:07– “They’re [Democrats] taking a victory lap” but they know that “responsible governors” won’t opt in because there isn’t a financial incentive for them to do so. Rep. Putnam says that they know drilling won’t happen because of that.
2:10– “Ironically, Democrats have submitted a drilling only bill.” Rep. Putnam then adds that “they fund their bill with $85 billion in tax hikes.”
2:12– “Renewable electricity standards will cause price spikes.”
2:13– ” Democrats should hold an open & fair debate.”
2:14– Stan from Conservatives With Attitude asks why Republicans didn’t do more whan thay had the majority. Rep. Putnam is pointing out all that got passed.
2:16– Brian Faughnan from Redstate is worried about Gang of “10 or 16 or 20 or whatever it is.” Rep. Putnam says that that is a concern. Rep. Putnam then says that the House GOP leadership has been in contact with the Senate GOP leadership on this. Most importantly, Rep. Putnam says that the group hasn’t “put legislation forward, just talking points.” Rep. Putnam is skeptical of their ability to put it together with this little time but they’re keeping their eyes open on this.
2:20– I ask about whether the House GOP would offer an amendment that gives Virginia, Louisiana and other states a financial incentive in opting in. Rep. Putnam said that the GOP hasn’t settled on a specific strategy yet but, depending on what’s in the bill, they’d likely take that opportunity. As a followup, I asked “Shouldn’t the benchmark be about what’s done, not what’s talked about?” Rep. Putnam’s response: “That’s a great way to frame it. Yes, that should be what we demand.”

Technorati Tags: Adam Putnam, House GOP, House Oil Party, Drilling, Gang Of 10, Gang Of 16, Environmentalists, Amendments

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

1. Give it up. The republicans and conservatives have destroyed this nation. Wall Street is in meltdown. People are losing their jobs, their homes, their savings, and their faith.

   You’re worried about the price of gas when it’s going to be worse than the Depression of the 1930’s…

   But hey, my friends, “the fundamentals of the economy are strong.” Yeah, keep right on lying McSame… what do you expect? He’s a republican.

   Eight short years of conservative rule has given us this mess. It’s going to take generations to fix it, if it ever can.

   Good going, conservatives.

   Comment by Rocky — September 15, 2008 @ 1:37 pm

2. Give it up. The republicans and conservatives have destroyed this nation. Wall Street is in meltdown. People are losing their jobs, their homes, their savings, and their faith.

   I hate telling you this but Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac were caused by excessive regulations.

   A close friend of mine is an economist who helped set up Ukraine’s backing and currency systems. This friend told me that federal regulations required Fannie and Freddie to take on loans that were ill-advised.

   If you want to blame anyone, blame the idiot bureaucrats who enforced the rules and the idiot legislators that mandated those idiotic regulations.

   But why let a few important facts get in the way of an idiotic diatribe, right?

   Comment by Gary Gross — September 15, 2008 @ 3:14 pm

3. If its so friggin bad Rocky, go jump out a window!

   Comment by T A Gray — September 15, 2008 @ 5:44 pm