Cantor to Obama: Tell Pelosi to Bring Congress Back
EmailABC News’ Teddy Davis and John Santucci Report: A Virginia congressman who is reported to be under consideration to be Sen. John McCain’s, R-Ariz., running mate urged Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., on Monday to pressure the Democratic leadership of Congress to take action on off-shore drilling. "If Barack Obama is serious about trying to fix this problem," said Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., "the first thing he should do is pick up the phone and call Speaker Pelosi and tell her to bring Congress back so that we can begin a process of getting an off-shore drilling bill across the floor of the House." Cantor’s effort to pressure Obama on Pelosi and off-shore drilling comes in the wake of the presumptive Democratic nominee softening his opposition to off-shore drilling. Obama told a Florida newspaper on Friday that he does not see off-shore drilling as a solution to the U.S. energy crunch while saying that he would go along with expanded off-shore drilling if it were necessary to win a broader policy overhaul focused on renewable sources of energy. Asked Sunday on ABC News’ "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" why the House Democratic leadership won’t allow an up or down vote on the issue of drilling, Pelosi accused House Republicans of doing the bidding of Big Oil. “We have a debate every single day on this subject,” said Pelosi, calling the GOP protest “the war dance of the handmaidens of the oil companies.” The Associated Press reported on Saturday that McCain’s campaign has asked Cantor, who serves as chief deputy Republican whip in the House, for personal documents to aid in the search for a running mate. During Monday’s McCain campaign conference call with reporters, Cantor refused to discuss the vice-presidential selection process when he was asked about it by the author of Saturday’s Associated Press story. "Congratulations on being on the short list," the AP’s Bob Lewis told Cantor "would you care to comment any about your conversation with the senator over a possible choice." "No I wouldn’t," said Cantor, "this a press conference about the energy plan and the difference between the visions that Barack Obama has and John McCain." "Thank you, Bob. Thanks for trying," said McCain spokesman Brian Rogers. Saturday’s Cantor story was sourced by the AP to an individual who "spoke on the condition of anonymity" because "neither the McCain campaign nor Cantor’s office" wanted to discuss the running mate selection process.
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Obama won’t vote on it or do his OOPS I did it again like Britney Spears and claim he pushed the wrong button
Posted by: 63tang0 | August 4, 2008, 11:22 am 11:22 am
Its time for Obama to put up or shut up like they say in POKER
Posted by: you play | August 4, 2008, 11:24 am 11:24 am
Come on this is actually asking Obama to do something that he can’t say “Thats not what I meant” when the votes are counted.
Posted by: gett me | August 4, 2008, 11:26 am 11:26 am
MC Cain Ahead in lastest polls, Nancy Pelosi, tells americans ” i am going home, you guys pay the higher gas prices and shut up”
Posted by: Rosco | August 4, 2008, 11:28 am 11:28 am
Obama told the people in Florida that he supports off shore drilling.
But we know his words are just that.
JUST WORDS
Posted by: hemmy car | August 4, 2008, 11:28 am 11:28 am
Obama can’t play the RACE CARD. What is he going to do now. Maybe his big American hating wife can tell him what to do. Or maybe one of his long list of loser ENDORSEMENTS can figure this out.
Obama is probably in secret talks with Rev Wright and Al Sharpton to figure out how to play the RACE CARD to get out of this mess
Posted by: toyota | August 4, 2008, 11:31 am 11:31 am
McCain’s camp must be serious about Cantor. His name was unknown to most Americans a few days ago, and now they’re using him as a surrogate and employing him in a political stunt.
Do we really believe that Cantor wants all those endangered Republicans in DC rather than campaigning at home? Of course not. Not to mention the fact that no legislation of this magnitude will be passed as this Congress and President Bush’s term expire. No matter what Pelosi does, it won’t sail through the Senate.
Posted by: Rich | August 4, 2008, 11:33 am 11:33 am
Well, for one thing, they have a convention to get up and going.
Two, I must say, I have never seen Bush work so hard as he has this past 3 weeks. What a joke these people are. 8 years vs. past 3 weeks. uhmmm. McCain behind in the poles, people against Bush, what shall we do….
Oh why not steal pages from Obama’s play book and run with them. Make Bush and McCain look good to the people. What they don’t realize is the American people are not playing their games anymore. Bush, McCain and the Republican party have recreated this mess we are in right now, the mess with the war, economy, housing, food, Jobs. They created it the past 8 years, voting for the rich and to h*ll with anyone else, AND NOW THEY WANT TO SAVE US FROM IT??? Really! They want us to vote for them to save us from them???? Really!
Posted by: becky | August 4, 2008, 11:34 am 11:34 am
Oh i forgot Obama stole the play book from the Clintons. and now its Clintons and McCain who now claim Obama has played the RACE CARD.
Posted by: becky | August 4, 2008, 11:35 am 11:35 am
Oil company exs have stated they could have gas at the pump in three years if permission was given now to drill new wells off shore. Just think the democrats like the shortage and high prices so they can blame the Bush Administration for the problem. Obama has been playing the blame game in every speech, whether it is about energy or medical or taxes or home foreclosure or————etc.
He is great at blaming but has no real solutions of his own to fix any problem effectively.
Posted by: Martin | August 4, 2008, 11:36 am 11:36 am
Just one more thing a convention where Obama can get his PHOTO OP is more important than working Americans.
You should know that by now the way Obama ditched American Wounded fighting men because he could not get his PHOTO OP crew in with him.
VOTE OBAMA
Posted by: becky | August 4, 2008, 11:37 am 11:37 am
What of the 68 million acres of federal lands and offshore territory currently leased and open to drilling… which aren’t being exploited? I’m genuinely curious.
Is there a reason the oil companies aren’t using that land where they already hold the drilling rights? Is the oil there prohibitively difficult to get to, etc.?
Posted by: Rich | August 4, 2008, 11:41 am 11:41 am
must be two becky’s on this site. becky two, sorry I totally disagree with you. I saw Bill play that race card, I also saw McCain play his. I also saw Obama defend why he had to say what he said so that we can see what was coming at us. Don’t defend them, we have them both on tape playing the race card.
Posted by: becky | August 4, 2008, 11:43 am 11:43 am
Hmmm…let’s open some more drilling so all the fat cats who own Exxon and Shell can make their millions and billions….To open off-shore drilling without a comprehensive energy strategy that includes conservation is just plain stupid and a political gimmick.
Posted by: indy_voter | August 4, 2008, 11:44 am 11:44 am
If we are in such an emergency that Obama now thinks we need to get into the reserve oil, then he truly, honestly needs to get Pelosi and the gang back to get us out of this emergency. NOW!
Posted by: Is he man enough? | August 4, 2008, 11:47 am 11:47 am
As a Hillary supporter, I’m glad McCain and his camp blew up when Obama insinuated they are racists. He did the same thing to Hillary, and it infuriated me. On Sunday Senator Lindsey Graham acknowledged that the Obama campaign tried to paint Hillary as a racist, and let it be known that the McCain camp would not put up with the same kind of attacks. Good for them. I’m a Democrat, but I just don’t like Obama’s tactics. His little trip to Berlin to anoint himself President of the World was the last straw for me.
Posted by: Still for Hillary | August 4, 2008, 11:48 am 11:48 am
Hey, Obama doesn’t need Pelosi. He’s already stated – fill up your tires while the US raids the petroleum reserve. So, what’s the problem?
Posted by: Max | August 4, 2008, 11:50 am 11:50 am
Pelosi’s stunt was the last straw for me. I’m not voting for ANY INCUMBENT!! They are all acting like a bunch of children on a playground, while the entire coutry suffers. We need to DO IT ALL-drill for oil, develop alternative sources of energy and release the oil reserves!!!!
Posted by: kat | August 4, 2008, 11:52 am 11:52 am
I wonder what flip the presidential flop will make today. As chief representative of the ultra-libs, it’s funny to see him pandering to the center and abandon his constituent base. Poor fools — don’t even know they’re being had.
Posted by: Max | August 4, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am
This is nothing but a republican sheme to try and drum up votes. Off shore drilling will do nothing for either lowering the price of gas for the economy and they know it. Since they can’t talk about anything substative, they use this as a wedge. Why don’t the republicans expalin why they went 71/2 years with Bush and never once suggested off shore oil would be viable. Any fool can promise something, but fulfilling it is another matter. Go ahead, make all the fuss you want about offshore drilling, but when it comes right down to making a difference in price of gas…you will have to swallow your foot.
Posted by: William | August 4, 2008, 11:56 am 11:56 am
kat; Is he man enough?: what is your hurry?? really! Bush or McCain has not fixed our oil problem this past 8 years, heck, they probably just filled up their bank accounts along with their friends, so why do we need to hurry and rush now?
Posted by: becky | August 4, 2008, 11:57 am 11:57 am
Oh wait, I forgot, Because McCain is saving us from him….Because the NOW the Republicans are making this a hurry, rush issue, that because the Dems went home tell after their convention it will be their fault we have a oil issue that is not getting solved. God help us all.
Posted by: becky | August 4, 2008, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm
Pelosi is a disgrace to all women who aspire to become great politicians. Vote her out of office this year. She’s a wingnut. She could care less about the “little people”.
Posted by: SadStateOfAffairs | August 4, 2008, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm
It’s time for Obama to put up or shut up. That’s it. Seems all the guy can do is give scrpited speeches reading from the teleprompter. Without it, The guy stumbles and mumbles all over the place. Just an empty suit thats all.
Posted by: NielPA | August 4, 2008, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
How come the price of gas and food did not sky rocket until the Dems took congress?
Posted by: steve013 | August 4, 2008, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm
And Pelosi should do that… why? So the Republicans can grandstand on something they failed to even acknowledge for the past seven years?
Posted by: Paul | August 4, 2008, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
Why in the name of God is one woman allowed to have so much power ? She is all for the good of the American people. Then why don’t she let them vote ? Isn’t that what congress is all about ? And we thought Obama was an egotistical self centered idiot. Why doesn’t she even allow a vote ? Because she doesn’t have the guts to admit that people might be against her. I thought that is what people used to call a coward. Who appointed her a God. What gives her the right to tell America that we are stupid. The congressmen know what their people want. Let them vote, instead of trying to play God. I think she is permanently on P.M.S. Until she is out of there, you ain’t seen nuttin yet. Bring on Cindy Sheehan, at least she is too stupid to do any damage. IMPEACH PELOSI.
Posted by: apache | August 4, 2008, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm
How dare Congress go on a Month’s vacation without dealing with the problem. Obama is a fool who will do nothing because he needs Nancy to back his illegal nomination in August. Botox Palosi its time for her to be retired. I hope the Republicans put some money into her opponent.
Posted by: hillarysmygirl08 | August 4, 2008, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm
Jeff – make our country great again by drilling offshore?
Why don’t we make our country great again by focusing our national will on developing and implementing alternative energy sources?
If we drill offshore, we don’t see a drop for what, 12 years? And how long will it take us to make significant gains toward alternative sources? Maybe about the same?
Germany challenged itself to make 28 percent of its total energy usage from renewable sources by 2012. Because it became a national focus, coupled with tax incentives, they are now on track to far surpass that goal in less time. Can’t we do the same?
Most homes can create their own energy via solar collectors. There’s some promising new technology that blows away current solar panels in terms of energy efficiency.
And then we have some real challenges though also some promising breakthroughs with cars, particularly with the hydrogen fuel cell. I liked McCain’s X-prize idea here, and think this nation can do more to focus the private sector to meeting the technical challenges.
I like this approach more than drilling off the coast of my state, which isn’t going to do anything for my gas tank in the next 12 years anyway.
But maybe a combination of approaches – something akin to what Obama signalled when he said he’d be willing to consider some limited drilling in conjunction with other approaches.
Posted by: Paul | August 4, 2008, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm
hillarysmygirl08: How Dare Bush, McCain and the Reps. push their bad judgments and decision that they have made for 8 years off on Obama. How dare they act like they are our saviors when in fact the created the mess.
Posted by: beck | August 4, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm
The President needs to call Congress back, Pelosi needs to be put in her place(not because she is a women)These jerks need to start doing the peoples business, in the PEOPLES House.Someone needs to tell Pelosi and Reid, they work for us.
Posted by: Marcy | August 4, 2008, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
Only Losers and cowards run Ms. Pelosi
Posted by: Beverlee | August 4, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
I think the biggest offense to the American Taxpayer is that Coungress will return on 9/8/08. They will work for 15 days and adjourn for the year due to the election. Congress needs to give back the earmarks and their paycheck for “08″. Our President should step up to the plate and declare this year a “NO PAY FOR CONGRESS YEAR” due to the fact nothing has been done except load up bills with pork spending that goes right into the pocket of congress or their families. They stand up and complain that we have to cut Social Security, Medicare or other social programs, yet they scam billions annually with bogus earmarks.
Posted by: cjvwise1 | August 4, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
Actually Marcy, I kinda feel safer when they are away from work.
Posted by: Paul | August 4, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
cjvwise – the president has very little control over the salaries of Congressmen. He could veto the raises they give themselves, but that’s about it.
Posted by: Paul | August 4, 2008, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
Why would we expect Pelosi to do anything for “the people”. On The View she said, “I have a Verrrry Imppppportant position”. She is power struck with herself and has no regard for the people. She will not “lower herself” to act as a team member. She is the ruler.
Posted by: cjvwise1 | August 4, 2008, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm
cjv – I understand you don’t like Pelosi, but are you saying speaker of the House isn’t an important position?
Posted by: Paul | August 4, 2008, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
Paul – I realize that a president has limited power to control salaries of Congress. But it would be nice if the “Ethics Committee” or the “Judicial Branch”would declare the scams what they really are, “Misappropriation of Funds and Fraud”. While small criminals are prosecuted and imprisoned for thefts in every state, Congress work together to protect each other for what they believe is their entitlements.
Posted by: cjvwuise1 | August 4, 2008, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
Paul – It has nother to do with like or dislike of Pelosi. She is so filled with her own power, she is acting like a dictator, not a leader.
Posted by: cjvwise1 | August 4, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
I wonder how the creepy Clintons are going to interpose themselves on this issue. Of course, they have been taking Arab money – and not disclosing it. I’ll bet they come down on the side that helps keep the money flowing to the middle east.
Posted by: disambiguates | August 4, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
BHO is unbelievable.this clown has written the book on flip flopping.now he say’s that yes,he may be in favor of off shore drilling.one may not agree with senator mc cain on everything,but at least he is an honorable man who is a war hero.
Posted by: sean | August 4, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
“What of the 68 million acres of federal lands and offshore territory currently leased and open to drilling… which aren’t being exploited? I’m genuinely curious.
Is there a reason the oil companies aren’t using that land where they already hold the drilling rights? Is the oil there prohibitively difficult to get to, etc.?”
According to the oil industry the majority of this land does not contain oil or it contains oil in small quantities that make it too expensive to extract. The oil companies have done prospecting on some of the land and found it not viable. Also FYI contrary to democratic claims there is a timetable associated with leases and action.
I think an effective compromise would be for the oil companies to trade in leases for the current land for leases on more feasible land. I bet they would do it in a heartbeat.
Posted by: Cryos | August 4, 2008, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
“But maybe a combination of approaches – something akin to what Obama signalled when he said he’d be willing to consider some limited drilling in conjunction with other approaches.”
Republican plans as I understand are a comprehensive plan including every source of energy or future source of energy. It involves investing in alternative energy, conserving, using solar, wind, nuclear, oil and liquid coal. Drilling is just a component but a very necessary component in their plan.
Even if we got cars off of petroleum we consume a lot for plastics, cosmetics, lubricants and many other goods. To me if we want to be independant of foreign oil we will have to drill just to produce enough oil for non-transportation means.
Posted by: Cryos | August 4, 2008, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
If any of you people did any type of research you would find out that offshore drilling won’t save you a cent until 2032 and the savings will be minuscule. And even if it did actually work? which it won’t but even if it did contrary to what scientists including the ones of the bush payroll who said it won’t. What happens when the supply runs out? We will be in the same position again and then everyone will be like “ohhh, we should have invested in alternative energy’. Face it, when it comes to energy issues, the ones who support McCain either have deep money with oil industry or extremely ignorant, stupid and dumb (not necessarily in that order)… I know the truth hurts. Why is it the americans hate smart people? We elected George Bush ( shame on me for voting for him, but in my defense he was a better governor than president) and now we want to elect the man who graduated 832 out 899 in the naval Academy. Damn McCain sucks. And also McCain’s rival doesn’t support offshore drilling, he is willing to compromise so that we can actually have a plan that both sides will agree to. Does anybody recognize the republican party for what it used to be, I know I sure don’t. We are addicted to oil but we have the technology to change that. America is addicted to oil. It’s like giving a cocaine addict more cocaine.
Posted by: jc | August 4, 2008, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
Jc maybe you should read up on the subject and know that oil drilling is only one component of republican’s proposed energy policy. Putting ideals above reality on energy and refusing to include and form of cheap energy like nuclear, oil and liquid coal will just keep gasoline prices high. Anyone who endorses the liberal democrat’s energy plan implicitly supports high energy costs point blank.
Posted by: Cryos | August 4, 2008, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
typo
“refusing to include any* form of cheap energy”
Posted by: Cryos | August 4, 2008, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
“Hmmm…let’s open some more drilling so all the fat cats who own Exxon and Shell can make their millions and billions….To open off-shore drilling without a comprehensive energy strategy that includes conservation is just plain stupid and a political gimmick. ”
Indy voter you should read up on the republicans COMPREHENSIVE PLAN that includes oil drilling as ONE component. Please don’t rely on MSM and liberal talking points for your viewpoint.
Posted by: Cryos | August 4, 2008, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
Okay, seriously, just how many of you are deliberately misunderstandnig Sen.Obama’s statements and how many of you just don’t pay attention?
He said he’d be willing to go along with off-shore drilling if it was a part of an overall package of energy reform. Nowhere in there did he express his support for off-shore drilling, nor that he would support it all by itself as is being suggested here. There’s nothing to “call him out” for, nor has he “flipped” on the issue – he still opposes it, but he’s willing to bend as a compromise if necessary.
Exactly what is so hard to understand about that?
Posted by: Bronxx | August 4, 2008, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
“There’s nothing to “call him out” for, nor has he “flipped” on the issue – he still opposes it, but he’s willing to bend as a compromise if necessary.
Exactly what is so hard to understand about that?”
I for one would call him out on the convenient timing for political gain. He announces this 1 day after congress takes a 5 week break knowing nothing can be done about it. Republicans want to call democrats back to a special session but apparently vacations are more important to democrats then trying to resolve our energy situation;. Apparently democrats are satisfied with the current energy situation at least until November 5th. It benefits the democrats to do nothing substantial and hammer in the naive and unfounded “bad republicans and big oil are the cause” to get them votes.
Posted by: Cryos | August 4, 2008, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
Does anyone care that Pelosi CANT call congress back? The President has to do this. If the Republicans want it to happen, get on the phone and tell George to do it.
Posted by: tim | August 4, 2008, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
Louisiana drills and produce most of the natural gas that fuels the power plants of america.If states are against drilling Louisiana should cutoff there supply this winter so people of Louisiana will have cheaper energy!Let them get liberal magic fuel!When people start freezing this winter democrats will pay!
Posted by: zap Louisiana | August 4, 2008, 9:06 pm 9:06 pm
Save more energy than curly light bulbs,TAX all computer use!
Posted by: zap Louisiana | August 4, 2008, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm
Do you think Obama has a gut to call and order Pelosi?
LOL,,,,
Posted by: catleya | August 5, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm