Ace of Spades HQ

September 18, 2008

GANG OF 20 SURRENDERS; WILL NOT OFFER ~~COMPROMISE~~ CAPITULATION THIS SESSION
— Ace

A bipartisan group of senators who sought a compromise in the rancorous energy debate won't introduce their bill before lawmakers adjourn for the elections, several Senate aides said Thursday.
Instead, the so-called Gang of 20 will offer a statement of principals outlining their agreement on a host of divisive issues, including expanded offshore drilling....
"They have got a real bipartisan comprehensive plan here so they don't want to just throw it out there and have it torn apart because of partisan sniping," the Democratic aide said. "They feel they have a real chance at getting this bill passed after they get past the election."
The group's work has generated enormous attention because it seemed to skirt the politics of the issue in favor of a bipartisan solution. In August, 10 members -- five from each party -- announced their plan at a news conference as gas prices soared above $4 a gallon. Since then, 10 more senators have joined the group, including several facing tough reelection battles.
...
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), one of the negotiators, said the bipartisan group wasn't looking to end up "on the left of Nancy Pelosi," referring to the House Speaker.

Thanks to Michelle Malkin, who writes, "Hooah!"

Incidentally, I hear that McCain shouldn't be blamed for the gang of 20 and may in fact be owed some praise for its demise.

That's what I hear.

I hear things.

I'm a hear-er.

Posted by: Ace at 07:42 PM | Comments (68)
Post contains 260 words, total size 2 kb.

1 Great news! In fact, so good let's make the whole blog red!

Posted by: Amused Obsever at September 18, 2008 07:43 PM (h0aKI)

2 Thank goodness! Plenty of time for McCain to make a bad call on the matter after he takes office, and maybe the Saracuda can talk some sense into him beforehand.

Posted by: Kensington at September 18, 2008 07:46 PM (xFNQx)

3 Hah! I have a beltway insider friends who've maxed their contributions this year and pull a little weight. I called in to the GOP Congresional caucus and the finance department pretending to be them and told 'em they were cut off until they promised to knock it the fuck off. I bet a lot of you morons did approximately the same.

Posted by: Rasputin at September 18, 2008 07:47 PM (tunH+)

4 And McCain led the way.

Oh wait.

Posted by: lorien1973 at September 18, 2008 07:48 PM (fE4SP)

5 Ace swings his hammer and finds the nails head again... good job Ace... now fix me a samich

Posted by: Kaptain Amerika at September 18, 2008 07:48 PM (6+1FS)

6 Leadership is sometimes best done from behind, with a dagger in hand.

I hear.

Posted by: ace at September 18, 2008 07:50 PM (1WR4H)

7 bipartisan (coque-suc-her): definition - Americans get fucked.

I hate that word.

Posted by: Editor at September 18, 2008 07:51 PM (p4YSL)

8 Hope you are right about McCain part of killing. That would some real light in the McCain tunnel.

Posted by: Amused Obsever at September 18, 2008 07:51 PM (h0aKI)

Good news.

Stop making me stay up.

I need some sleep. Pondering my next kick ass football picks.

Yeah, I'm doin that. While losers sleep.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at September 18, 2008 07:52 PM (eiOZw)

oh, wait...

shit

Posted by: Dave in Texas at September 18, 2008 07:53 PM (eiOZw)

11 Great!

Hopefully now they'll have time to swat Obama in the kisser.

The ones that aren't already hopelessly compromised ,and who have consciences, I mean.

*crickets*

FUCK.

Posted by: lauraw at September 18, 2008 07:53 PM (DbybK)

12 Good news. Now the sniveling slinking away of the Congress is complete.

Posted by: HawaiiLwyr at September 18, 2008 07:56 PM (Mt4OE)

13 I sent the GOP senate committee an email. First time I've done that. They rolled over! That was easy. This Georgia business annoys me. What's Putin's email address?

Posted by: Arthur at September 18, 2008 07:57 PM (DW8FY)

14 > Incidentally, I hear that McCain shouldn't be blamed for the gang of 20 and may in fact be owed some praise for its demise. Kudos to you for giving credit where credit (may be) due. At the risk of sounding snide (who am I kidding -- I am snide), I'd be very happy to get through the rest of the election season without another one of those "F*** McCain, we'll rebuild after the second Carter administration passes" posts. The Obama campaign says McCain has voted with President Bush on 90% of the issues. My rough guess is that Bush has been 60% conservative, and .9 * .6 = .54, which means McCain is still four percent better than centrist. That doesn't mean McCain shouldn't be encouraged by his base to pursue conservative principles. But if you want one reader's opinion, I'd rather leave the scorch-and-burn stuff to the leftists.

Posted by: The Chap in the Deerstalker Cap at September 18, 2008 08:01 PM (7m3z7)

Forget the good news, boys.

Cheap Trick is in the house. OT, but they still put on a great concert.

Posted by: jmflynny at September 18, 2008 08:02 PM (byGAg)

16 McCain may have joined the gang of 20 to destroy it from within? That magnificent bastard.

Posted by: Kranix at September 18, 2008 08:03 PM (MY+kJ)

Putin returns emal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHjdmNLs0go

Posted by: Biscuiteater at September 18, 2008 08:05 PM (2JF/+)

In a pique of celebration I gave to the McCain campaign after he picked Palin. Since then I have been receiving many requests for money. I have replied twice wanting the Senator's position on the gang of 20. No response. I'm sure I'm not alone. Maybe - hopefully (it is McCain after all) we had an effect.

Posted by: Ralph at September 18, 2008 08:06 PM (QZjCr)

19 he never joined it nor supported it.

Posted by: ace at September 18, 2008 08:06 PM (1WR4H)

20 there was a rumor he joined it but that was denied. furthermore, on the q.t., that rumor was being spread by one of the people in the gang of twenty dropping mccain's name to try to get more support.

I don't want to say who it was, but his name rhymes with "South Carolina Cocksucker."

Posted by: ace at September 18, 2008 08:10 PM (1WR4H)

21 Should I call my Senator back and praise him? It seems so obvious not to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Posted by: Z Ryan at September 18, 2008 08:11 PM (PDeVA)

FWIW, as was suggested, I sent an e-mail to the RNCC, stating the SPIGOT IS SHUT OFF (where did I hear that phrase???) if the gang of 10/16/20 did ANYTHING stoopid.

Wonder how many of the morons did that also?

Posted by: codekeyguy at September 18, 2008 08:13 PM (+WuRB)

23 Posted by: ace at September 19, 2008 01:10 AM (1WR4H) Carol Fowler?

Posted by: funky chicken at September 18, 2008 08:16 PM (xyyHG)

24 GOOD

Posted by: WisCon at September 18, 2008 08:17 PM (RsaX9)

25 There's nothing like a gun to the head to focus one's attention. Its not that they're wobbly you see, they just needed some ummm....encouragement.

Posted by: Purple Avenger at September 18, 2008 08:17 PM (6L459)

26 This is great news but it only really happened because of an epic FAIL on the part of the Dems, the ban should have been renewed during the primaries when no one was looking, and a sign of backbones for Conservatives. It's nice for election season but it's not necessarily gone. If Obama gets in it's back with a vengence, hell he will probably pull a Clinton and declare all off shore areas a wildlife fish refuge off limits to everyone but hippies. Even McCain probably only killed it so he can use it as a way to "reach across the ailse" as president for an epic win early in his first term. Conservatives will have to keep this on the front burner with the public till there are actually derricks up or it isn't going to happen.

Posted by: rocks at September 18, 2008 08:20 PM (7rbe9)

27 I told you pussies to stop getting so worked up over rumors (misinformation).

Posted by: runninrebel at September 18, 2008 08:22 PM (o/KrO)

28 Poor Linds has had a rough couple/few weeks, hasn't he? If the reports of his pushing for Lieberman to be veep were true, he's probably feeling a bit down right about now. Especially since he is probably obsessing over images of McCain and Lieberman laughing their asses off through the whole week of the dem convention at all the supposedly authoritative leaks that Liebs was gonna be McCain's veep.

Posted by: funky chicken at September 18, 2008 08:22 PM (xyyHG)

29 Andi Sullivan moved to South Carolina?

Posted by: rocks at September 18, 2008 08:22 PM (7rbe9)

30 So can we get back to pestering Ace about his big scoop now?

Posted by: The Obvious at September 18, 2008 08:27 PM (1g+FW)

31 I guess this solidifies the fact that Sissy Boy Lindsey is McCain's beotch, not the other way around.

Posted by: runninrebel at September 18, 2008 08:28 PM (o/KrO)

32
I'm a hear-er.

And I'm a Seether! Whatever the f*ck that is...

Posted by: Tyrone the rapist at September 18, 2008 08:28 PM (YlH3h)

33 Heyyyyyyyy!!! Ace! I didn't know you played drums for Cheap Trick! That's crazy, man!

Posted by: runninrebel at September 18, 2008 08:34 PM (o/KrO)

34 "Instead, the so-called Gang of 20 will offer a statement of principals principles outlining their agreement on a host of divisive issues, including expanded offshore drilling...."

Damn it!

Posted by: Professor Persnickety P Pedantpants, PhD at September 18, 2008 09:23 PM (836zr)

35 "he never joined it nor supported it"

But his Mini-Me did both.

Posted by: someone at September 18, 2008 09:23 PM (2z2WN)

36 I wonder if they realize (and I hope they don't) that without any kind of vote; offshore drilling becomes legal again at the end of this month (long before the election that they are waiting on)...

Posted by: LordNazh at September 18, 2008 09:28 PM (sBNzZ)

37 Harrumghphfff, ahem, er, other than that, thanks for the good news and especially the Cheap Trick.

Posted by: Stoop Davy Dave at September 18, 2008 09:32 PM (836zr)

38 Maybe this gang thing was a little toe testing in the water---sorta like that toe testing in the water thingy about naming Lieberman for VP? Toe testing before clmbing all the way is IS usually a good idea.

Posted by: Elizabeth R at September 18, 2008 10:03 PM (fSxy7)

39 "They feel they have a real chance at getting this bill passed after they get past the election." Capitulation isn't enough. I demand repudiation or I'll start sending money to their opponents.

Posted by: mrobvious at September 18, 2008 10:47 PM (btlRW)

40 Hopefully, Graham will be appointed to head the Dept of cocksucking (take your pick) and get the hell out of the Senate.

I'd rather have Lindsay Lohan than Lindsey Graham.

At least her crazy prevents her from doing much damage to the Republic

Posted by: it's full of stars at September 18, 2008 11:57 PM (OeLz9)

41 Hmmm. Didn't read the whole article, did we?

"GOP presidential candidate John McCain opposed the plan, and Democrats were preparing to attack the Arizona senator for standing in the way of a bipartisan compromise."

You do understand what "opposed" means, right?

Can the MDS. It's stupid, juvenile, and destructive.

Posted by: rightwingprof at September 19, 2008 01:05 AM (52wuV)

42 From the "Fundamentals are strong" to "The economy is in terrible shape" to "let 'em fail" to "Fire the bastard", McCain is not intuitive on the economy like he is on military matters like Iraq or Georgia. Obama has been landing blows and McCain is gonna need the oil issue to get back in the fight. Palin can help here too.

Bush is better on the economy, and it was his veto threat more than anything that did this in. Looks like the gang of XX might need another X, and what could be more appropriate than that? (Porn, I know it when I see it).

McCain/Palin ads have been petty and off the mark of late. They should be hammering the "Change? McCain reforms of Freddie and Fanny blocked by Obama!" and "Drill here, drill now!" The oil issue is the economy issue, if it is framed right.

McCain is in reaction mode and running in circles. Pick a couple of your best issues John, focus, and start hammering.

Posted by: Robert at September 19, 2008 01:21 AM (Rb4Qc)

43 Cheap Trick rocks. Lindsey Graham? Not so much

Posted by: Frank G at September 19, 2008 01:51 AM (P0rQD)

44 They tried to reach a compromise whose only purpose was to fool people into thinking they had actually done something. It didn't fool anybody.

Posted by: Steve L. at September 19, 2008 02:31 AM (o0YD+)

This Georgia business annoys me. What's Putin's email address?

czar.vladie@yahoo.com

Posted by: Entropy at September 19, 2008 03:58 AM (m6c4H)

_{By reading this post you agree to our terms of service and affirm that you are not an FBI agent or a member of any law enforcement agency.}

Password is Borscht.

But I didn't tell you that.

Posted by: Entropy at September 19, 2008 04:00 AM (m6c4H)

47 In a pique of celebration I gave to the McCain campaign after he picked Palin. Since then I have been receiving many requests for money.

This is the main (admittedly dumb) reason I didn't send McCain any money during Palinmania. I figured I'd get placed on 5 or 6 GOP donor lists and they'd be all over me like squeegee guys on a BMW windshield.

I hate that.

Posted by: OregonMuse at September 19, 2008 04:15 AM (/GQkp)

48 So where does this leave us given that the House has passed an energy bill that won't survive the Senate? Does this mean that on October 1 the ban on offshore drilling expires and it's open season?

Posted by: Dudley Smith at September 19, 2008 04:41 AM (0S8Xt)

49 "Posted by: Professor Persnickety P Pedantpants, PhD at September 19, 2008 02:23 AM (836zr)"

Heh.....that name made me laugh out loud this morning! Scared teh cat! You guys are the bestess at name-thinkin-uppin.

Posted by: Ann at September 19, 2008 04:43 AM (c3H+i)

50 I hear voices too.

Posted by: JAFKIAC at September 19, 2008 04:53 AM (LcpIn)

51 McCain is in reaction mode and running in circles. Pick a couple of your best issues John, focus, and start hammering.

Posted by: Robert at September 19, 2008 06:21 AM (Rb4Qc)

huh?

Posted by: funky chicken at September 19, 2008 05:00 AM (xyyHG)

Incidentally, I hear that McCain shouldn't be blamed for the gang of 20 and may in fact be owed some praise for its demise.

It's merely a rumor. Haven't you learn anything? One must never act on rumors. If you hear a rumor that X is coming over to kill you, you would be morally wrong to take any action to protect yourself until you were dead.

Posted by: Booben at September 19, 2008 05:03 AM (tyxqh)

53 11 days till the off-shore drilling ban expires - if Congress takes no action.
Then we just have to pressure Congress so they do not reinstate the ban after the election.

Posted by: Marvin at September 19, 2008 05:04 AM (y6q+C)

54 Can the MDS. It's stupid, juvenile, and destructive.

Posted by: rightwingprof at September 19, 2008 06:05 AM (52wuV)

yep. the guy does something good, and still the bizarre need do create a conspiracy that, well, he really was desperate to be on the wrong side. kinda pathetic.

he's a fellow human being, which means you will all have legitimate areas of disagreement soon enough. you don't need to keep working to create additional ones.

Posted by: funky chicken at September 19, 2008 05:06 AM (xyyHG)

55 With Congress in adjournment, it appears as if the drilling ban is likely to expire. Does anyone have any thoughts on that matter, or am I just blowing smoke?

Posted by: Jazz at September 19, 2008 05:18 AM (hnq5i)

56 My thought is that if the drilling ban expires, the administration could push through drilling leases which would be protected from ex post facto application of any subsequent Congressional drilling-ban legislation.

Posted by: Jazz at September 19, 2008 06:22 AM (hnq5i)

57 Hell, *I* called to bitch at them, and I'm about as NE RINO as they come without actually being named "Chaffee."

Here's a wacky suggestion, which ace might want to front (if he's not still pissed at me, uh, calling him a tinpot Kos - people say things):

Call the RSCC or whatever the acronym is to say "thanks for listening." I just did, and the phone-wallah-ess seemed surprised and pleased.

Skinner and Pavlov, morons. Carrots and sticks.

Posted by: Knemon at September 19, 2008 06:59 AM (KfWko)

58 Can we get one of those countdown timer thingies for when the ban expires? I mean, we won, so shouldn't we gloat just a bit.

And Jazz, not sure it'd be the Administration giving the leases. I'd think (but don't know) that it would be a lease from the State...

Hmm, I say that and now I have to backtrack the whole statement and say this... I have no f***ing idea who owns the land 20/50/100 miles offshore. I'd still assume the States would own their oceans, but damned if I have any sources to back that up.

So um, if anyone actually knows the answer to that (with sourcing if possible) I'd love to know that answer. Rather than guessing and wondering.

Posted by: Gekkobear at September 19, 2008 07:01 AM (SvDRb)

59 ANWR is federal land.

Posted by: Jazz at September 19, 2008 07:50 AM (hnq5i)

60 Sorry. <a href="http://alaska.fws.gov/asm/anilca/toc.html" target="_blank">ANWR is federal land.</a>

Posted by: Jazz at September 19, 2008 07:52 AM (hnq5i)

61 DAMMIT. Once again. ANWR IS FEDERAL LAND.

My braces, helmet, and bib kept getting in the way.

Posted by: Jazz at September 19, 2008 07:53 AM (hnq5i)

62 There is federal land available for drilling in the Gulf. I suspect there is other federal land available of the east and west coasts.

Posted by: Jazz at September 19, 2008 07:59 AM (hnq5i)

63 Federal offshore lands defined here.

Posted by: Jazz at September 19, 2008 08:13 AM (hnq5i)

they think they have more fun

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