Live-Blogging Energy Debate
July 28th, 2008 by Wiley CodyI was recently reminded that Congressman Rehberg is one of four House Republicans that were asked to debate four House Democrats on Energy. One can attribute this to his strong leadership on the issue, and it’s certainly good for Montana - with our tremendous potential for resource development - to have a seat at this table.
Being a fan of debate - unlike my counterparts on the Left - I asked my boss if I could take an early/long lunch break and she said it was fine. So for the first time, I’m going to try my hand at this live-blogging thing. We’ll see how it goes - and cross your fingers that my internet connection handles streaming video well.
Here we go.
By the way, while Rehberg is going to be talking about his solutions and the role that Montana can play in fixing this country, don’t miss Carol’s commentary on the fact that his opponent wants to stop all coal use. Period. That’s a pretty extreme position - even for Democrats who quickly distanced themselves from Driscoll’s lunacy.
A source tells me that Rehberg will be giving the opening statement for the Republicans.
10:15 - The moderator is talking about format - she already sets the stage for environmental focus. When talking about energy, it’s important to consider the environment, but not exclusively. You also need to talk about the economy.
10:17 - Dem Opening - Stupak.
He starts with a partisan blame game. Blame Republicans. I’m eager to see if he has any solutions. “Cannot drill our way out” - standard Democrat lines. No surprise. Dem solutions: release oil from Strategic Oil Reserve, end energy speculation, the famous use-it-or-lose-it misdirection (that leased land isn’t being used, when in fact it is being developed, held up by lawsuits and/or doesn’t have oil under it).
He keeps talking about alternatives. To my knowledge, Republicans also support alternatives. We’ll see if they catch him on this.
Haha! “Solutions not slogans” is his final word. After saying “Cannot drill your way out of this problem,” and “Use-it-or-lose-it”
10:22 - Rehberg Time!
Yep, “All-Of-The-Above”. He’s talking solutions. He’s talking all of the options that Montana can provide.
Wow. Solutions, not blames. He’s nailing it. My audio is choppy (darn it!). He’s promoting the American Energy Act from his website.
10:29 - Dems ask Republicans a question: Renewable Energy?
What a softball question. Republicans support renewable energy. Holy cow. That played right into the Republican “All-Of-The-Above” paradigm.
Why haven’t Democrats extended Renewable Energy Tax Credits? Indeed…
Democrats are getting beat on their own question. Wow. That was a horrible question to ask - at least try to hang Big Oil around the GOP necks or something.
10:37 - GOP question to Democrats
Dem leadership opposes drilling for oil and developing coal. No new oil, not nat. gas, no coal, no nuclear. “Get it all.” Uh-oh, now Democrats have to explain why they aren’t “all-of-the-above.”
Democrats aren’t answering the question. Not surprising. They don’t have an answer.
Who is T. Boone Pickens? Apparently he is important. Oh.
10:46 - “Republicans have been in charge.” More finger-pointing. More blaming. No solutions. Sad day to be a Democrat.
Rehberg’s defending his district. He’s right. It’s the biggest in the U.S. by population and 2nd biggest in the U.S. by square miles. Fun little trivia.
Democrats are wasting all their time on blaming others. Republicans keep talking about solutions. I really hope energy is a voting issue in November.
10:54 - Audience questions.
Investment in more renewable energy. GOP debater just threw W. under the bus. Probably smart. Yeah, investment in renewable energy is important, but personally why is that the USFG’s job? Let the market handle it. GOP will advocate federal subsidies though; it’s sexy.
Democrat claims that they don’t want to tax oil companies? What do they call a Windfall Profits Tax?
The moderator seems to have adopted a rather laissez faire approach here. The debate is getting a bit sloppy.
Rehberg’s talking about Bakken - new exploring technologies etc. Yep. Montana has a big role to play in the solution.
11:05 - The whole Democrat meme that Oil Companies are sitting on a bunch of oil just doesn’t make sense. Unless they are accusing “Big Oil” of a monopoly, competitive markets would make sitting on oil a terrible business tactic for any one company - let alone all of them. Obviously a piece of this puzzle is missing.
“We are the Saudi Arabia of energy conservation.” Huh?
“We’re for all of this!” Says Wamp. And the audience - at a University in New Orleans - erupts into applause. Wow. Dems are getting creamed on this issue.
It’s been a looong time since I saw a studio audience clap for a Republican. It’s happening a lot in this debate.
11:23 - Closing - I get the feeling that Democrats really wish they weren’t in the majority. They have a much easier time scape-goating everything when they aren’t running the show.
Observation: Global warming didn’t come up once. That’s rather unexpected.
Observation 2: Live-blogging is hard! You have to listen and think and write all at the same time. Sorry this attempt was so sporadic and choppy.
