The AP is reporting that House Leaders are dropping ANWR drilling from a forthcoming budget bill Thursday,
WASHINGTON - House leaders late Wednesday abandoned an attempt to push through a hotly contested plan to open an Alaskan wildlife refuge to oil drilling, fearing it would jeopardize approval of a sweeping budget bill Thursday.After a relentlesss battle in the Senate for this provision that is key to energy independence and longterm National security of the United States at a time when global unrest threatens the future supply of that critical resource, rather than engaging the fight in the public forum where Representatives would be forced to live with the consequences of their recorded votes, Republican leadership again collapses like a sail without wind... as formless and directionless as a crumpled useless canvas. And as loyal, determined Conservatives search for something positive in the headlines today, Republican moderates spread salt and vinegar on a set of fresh wounds, nearly ensuring a wave of apathy heading into the 2006 election season. The story continues,
They also dropped from the budget document plans to allow states to authorize oil and gas drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts — regions currently under a drilling moratorium.The actions were a stunning setback for those who have tried for years to open a coastal strip of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR, to oil development, and a victory for environmentalists, who have lobbied hard against the drilling provisions.
Twenty-five Republicans, led by Rep. Charles Bass of New Hampshire, signed a letter asking GOP leaders to strike the Alaskan drilling provision from the broader $54 billion budget cut bill.From tomorrow's Washington Post, Jonathon Weisman reports that even with energy provisions removed, the bill is threatened,
Who are these Legislators abandoning the President and the Party yet again on a key issue? Make them vote, Mr. Hastert, and we will find out!Democrats did not budge, and at least 22 Republicans told the House leadership they would not vote for the sweeping bill unless the drilling provision was removed and they were given assurances that it would not return after House and Senate negotiators hash out a final measure. Even then, several moderate Republicans have said they still would oppose the bill, which would allow states to impose new costs on Medicaid recipients, cut funds for student loans and child support enforcement, trim farm supports, and restrict access to food stamps...
...In exchange for stripping out the energy provisions, however, enough GOP moderates promised their votes last night to all but ensure passage, said Sarah Chamberlain, executive director of the Republican Mainstreet Partnership, the moderate coalition that led negotiations. (emphasis added)
Michelle Malkin is now on it!
And just who in the hell is...
The Republican Mainstreet
Partnership??Our Mission...
The Republican Main Street Partnership was founded in 1998 to promote thoughtful leadership in the Republican Party, and to partner with individuals, organizations and institutions that share centrist values.
The Partnership is comprised of party members and public officials who are fiscally conservative deficit hawks. The Partnership is working to Grow Our Party through a pragmatic approach to governing that reaches out to a broad base of Americans who share the Republican ideals of fiscal responsibility and limited government. The Partnership contributes to the nation's governance through developing and promoting creative public policies for implementation at appropriate levels of government.
Republican Main Street Partnership Congressional Members 109th Congress (See the List!)
Contact (Oh, by all means!)
Telephone 202-682-3143
FAX 202-682-39431350 Eye Street, NW Suite 560
Washington, DC 20005General Information: republicanmainst@mindspring.com
Press Inquiries: sarahjqa@mindspring.com
UPDATE: 11.10.05.17.07
Who is the The Republican Mainstreet Partnership?
Michelle Malkin provides the answer... Soros and Friends are now selecting Republican candidates and directing the Conservative agenda.
Main Street Individual Fund, 2004 Election Cycle Formed: 2002
The Main Street Individual Fund (MSIF) is a New York-based group founded to help elect moderate Republican candidates. Among those candidates it supports in the 2004 elections is Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa), who is fending off a tough primary challenge from Rep. Pat Toomey. MSIF raises funds from individual donors and is affiliated with another 527, the Main Street Fund, which solicits contributions from corporations and unions. Both are connected to the Republican Main Street Partnership.
Affiliated Personnel:
Sarah Chamberlain Resnick, executive director
Bob Duke, fund-raiserDonors:
Dinakar Singh, Goldman Sachs, $100,000
George Soros, Soros Fund Management, $50,000
Sidney V Weinberg Jr, Goldman Sachs, $50,000
John C Whitehead, Lower Manhattan Development Corp, $50,000
Excuse me, Republican leadership. Ahem...EXCUSE ME?!!
2 comments:
Rpellant RINO's. We need a conservative party.
I'd settle for a mast! The BEST captains are useless without motive power and direction. Arnold and Bush are presently adrift.
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