Democrats To Call For Real Commitment To Energy Independence

[Mass]

Great news, except for the choice of Schumer for the press conference.

I heard him Sunday saying that the Senate could find a compromise where the Dems could accept more drilling on the East Coast in exchange for better CAFE standards. I was ready to yell.

What about global warming and energy alternatives, Senator?

Why is Bingaman not there (even if I dont like his policies too much, he is at least the ranking member of the committee), or Durbin (who was great on MTP against 5 pro-oil lobbyists - that would include Bodman-).

Each time, I hear Durbin, I feel so sad that the Senate Democrats passed the opportunity to have a great majority leader. Reid is just a whiner who once in a while throw a tantrum. Durbin can defend his views and his fellow senators with class and integrity.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20060502/pl_usnw/democrats_to_call_for_real_commitment_to_energy_independence021_xml;_ylt=ArR00sssGyo6Ta4y8BZ0jLoEKekE;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--

Democrats To Call For Real Commitment To Energy Independence



To: Assignment and National desks, Daybook Editor

Contact: Jim Manley or Rebecca Kirszner, 202-224-2939, for Senate Democratic Leader Reid; or Brendan Daly or Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616, for House Democratic Leader Pelosi

News Advisory:

For five years, a White House run by oil men has given America energy policies written by oil companies. Today, America is dependent on foreign oil, the White House has done nothing to fix the problem, and Americans are paying the price at the gas pump.

Today, Tuesday, May 2, 2006, at 11:30 AM, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senators Chuck Schumer and Maria Cantwell, and Representatives Bart Stupack and James Clyburn will call for a real commitment to securing our nation by making America energy independent, and will release a joint House and Senate Democratic report on failed Bush Administration energy policies.

WHO:

-- Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

-- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

-- Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

-- Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

-- Representative Bart Stupak (news, bio, voting record) (D-MI)

-- Representative James Clyburn (news, bio, voting record) (D-SC)

WHAT: Press conference on energy independence

WHEN: TODAY, May 2, 2006 at 11:30 AM

WHERE: Senate Swamp Site (intersection of Delaware and Constitution), U.S. Capitol

Editors: For Planning Purposes Only

[karynnj]

1. More than majority leader, I wish Kerry would have insisted

on Durbin as VP. I thought Durbin was fantastic on MTP. He would have been much better standing up to Cheney in the debates. Durbin's solid resume would have echoed Kerry's own competence.

[wisteria]

2. I agree 100 % on Durbin. I saw him on Sunday also, and thouht he

did extremely well.

[Mass]

3. Durbin on the Senate floor talking about Energy Independance

the Frist rebate, and ANWR drilling.

3 % of the oil supply. "We cant drill our way out of this problem".

Great speech.

First drip of oil coming out of earth (in ANWR) in 10 years. 1/10 of 1% of all oil production.

Talking about the MTP talkshows. Repubs refuse to acknowledge the record profits.

Solutions proposed by Durbin:

- New CAFE standards.

- Encourage technologies for alternative renewable fuels (ethanol): create jobs and insure energy independance.

Couple the debate with global warming (talks about Gore's documentary).

Durbin: we need a lot more people like that. Not only is he right on issues, but he can talk about the issues.

[Mass]

4. Durbin just gave the speech I wanted to hear.

after all the talk about increasing supply.

:loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya:

[Mass]

5. Kyl on the floor now.

Suppress the tariff on ethanol from Brazil. Not enough ethanol produced.

(bad idea, because it would prevent the US ethanol industry to develop).