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By and large, BP's agreement to set up a $20 billion escrow account for Gulf Coast recovery has been well received.
But not among a few conservative House Republicans. For example, Georgia Rep. Tom Price (R) -- chair of the Republican Study Committee -- issued a statement yesterday complaining that the fund was a White House "shakedown." *** CORRECTION *** We originally (and mistakenly) referred to Rep. Price as Dave Price, not Tom Price. We corrected the item and regret the error.
“We all agree that BP should be held fully responsible for its complicity in the oil tragedy in the Gulf,” Price said. "However, in an administration that appears not to respect fundamental American principles, it is important to note that there is no legal authority for the president to compel a private company to set up or contribute to an escrow account."
Price added, “BP’s reported willingness to go along with the White House’s new fund suggests that the Obama Administration is hard at work exerting its brand of Chicago-style shakedown politics. These actions are emblematic of a politicization of our economy that has been borne out of this Administration’s drive for greater power and control."
And today, Texas Rep. Joe Barton (R) echoed Price's critique at before BP CEO Tony Hayward's testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where Barton is ranking member.
Per NBC's Kelly O'Donnell, Barton called the $20 billion escrow a "shakedown". "I'm ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday," he said. "I think it's a tragedy of the first proportion." Barton added that if he, as a member of Congress, told a private company to put up money like that, "I'd go to jail and should go to jail."
Barton then said he apologized to BP. "I don't want to live a country where ... legitimate wrongdoing [is] subjected to political pressure."
In a sign of how politically problematic these comments could be for Republicans, House Minority Leader John Boehner's office tells First Read that Boehner disagrees with Barton's remarks. "Since Day One, Boehner has said that BP is entirely responsible for the cost of the disaster in the Gulf," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel says.
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Ok, so how much trouble are the Repugnant Ones in for if even Leader Boner is distancing himself from Barton's remarks? All the Repugnant Ones worship at the feet of Big Oil and suck on the teats of Wall Street. Why not just get in line and protect BP from being responsible for their own criminal actions?
Yeah, tell me again how the Party Of No is going to win back majorities? You cannot even rightly sense that the American people are NOT going to come down on the side of BP in this issue. Are you all really that blind, dumb, and stupid that you truly thingk that Glenda, Lintball, and Caribou Barbie are going to make it ok to be seen as protecting the people responsible for the greatest ecological disaster in the history of this nation? Do you think the people of the Gulf are going to sit by and allow BP to get off without paying for what they did?
You people must really have some great mind altering substances over on your side...
What's even more amazing is Barton's 4 staff members sitting behind him who said: "Yes Congressman, that sounds good. You're next...go with it. Would you like some orange juice now?"
Who is going to beat out Barton? Do tell because I think you're suggesting you know more about Texas politics than the people that live here.
And yet you were here the beginning of the week running your mouth off about Mark Kirk(R) IL!
You're hypocrisy knows no bounds!
No wonder you picked InThe Middle for a moniker... lol
Sadly, you are likely correct TX. And, the fact is that I have NO sympathy for any of the people that live in the area if they (yet again) vote against their own self interest and return sycophants like Barton to the capitol. I am not suggesting I know anything about Texas other than what happened the last time we sent a prominent Texas politician to DC to handle things on a national level...
Here's a fun fact.The oil company Republican Joe Barton of Texas was CEO of and owns major stock in.Owned 25% of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig.The very oil rig that exploded and caused this disaster.So now his comments make perfect sense.He has a major financial interest in getting BP and the other related parties of the hook.In other words he is partially financially liable for damages.Because of his stock ownership.I didn't believe it at first.I said he might be dumb but not that crooked.I spent about 8 hours trying to prove myself wrong.I couldn't disprove the evidence.It's factually accurate.One more thing, two thirds of the republicans in the house of representatives belong to the Republican Study Committee.They referred to the 20 billion dollar fund as a shakedown prior to the hearing today.Just like Joe Barton did in the hearing.Even though the BP CEO said it wasn't a shakedown or a slush fund.So regardless of what the Republicans are saying face to face to the public.Their official position from their website is the link below.For all of you people who blindly believe what you're told.Look at what your blind loyalty and devotion gets you.Those republicans are not on our side,They are sucking up to big oil so much.I don't know why we don't use those big mouths in the Gulf of Mexico. If you vote for any of the over 100 house republicans in this group.You are asking to get stepped on by them.Especially if you are from one of the states affected by the spill.I'm from Florida.They want you to send all your money and votes to them.Then wait decades to be made whole from this tragedy.It also makes you wonder what else they are being two-faced about.Death panels in health care(didn't happen),Raising our taxes(didn't happen,Obama let Bush tax cuts expire for the wealthiest 5% of our population 95% of us didn't get a tax cut),taking our guns(didn't happen,Obama actually expanded gun rights for citizens without felonies).Maybe Obama isn't a socialist,Nazi, racist or ruining our lives.Obama just might be trying to save us from them.Obama got that 20 billion for us.What did the republicans get us,an economic collapse,2 wars,Iran working on nukes,Osama Bin Laden running around free,tax breaks for rich people,no tax breaks for working middle-class people,bank bailouts,paying companies to ship jobs overseas,giving away billions of dollars to the oil industry a year,sabotaging the country and president by refusing to work together on anything,filibustering the military budget during 2 wars,jeopardizing military pay,benefits,training,equipment,and getting Americans to hate each other instead of working together.What did republicans in office get themselves,richer and more powerful.I feel sorry for Obama he's gotta fix the mess he didn't make and get's trashed for it.Beck and Limbaugh are insulting his 11 year old daughter,calling his dead mom a whore,his dead grandparents commies.Decent americans don't do things like that.Look at whats happening to us as a country.I can't take it anymore.Everyday the American dream dies for more of us.Please my fellow Americans don't let the republicans fool us again for our sakes and our children's futures.We fall for the patriotic talk and the lies about democrats and then they screw us over royally.Kind of like a monarchy instead of a democracy.If this link doesn't work it means they pulled the evidence of their loyalties off the website.
http://rsc.tomprice.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=191125
OH MY GOD...... SHUT UP!!!! Damned if ya do and Damned if ya don't.
If Price and Barton are so ashamed of their country why do they stay? Just get the hell out.
Tell tem to take Pat Buchannon with them. He just said on MSNBC that this guys statements was an act of courage. Barton apologized to Tony said this was nothing more than a shakedown of BP and Pat B. says this is an act of courage.
Just more lies and distortions to divert attention from the fact that the Gop congress allowed this to happen by deregulation and the clinton signed Recovery Act!
However, this is stupid---the people of the Gulf do not want apologies for BP--they want thier lives back!
many of these anti-American elected officials will not be removed but they should be censored!
If they wanted their lives back then they should have demanded precautionary measures be in place to make sure that didn't have their lives interrupted. They also wouldn't have voted to keep the same crooked lawmakers in Washington that stuffed their pockets with BIG Oil bucks. Where is the technology to stop it after 40 years of off-shore drilling...that is a gross miscarriage of justice...wouldn't you agree?
Pat used to work for tricky Dick Nixon and is a bigot and extremist.That's why he was forced out of politics.Even the mainstream republicans in the 90's didn't like him.If they both went to prison back then,we'd be spared his ramblings now.
This is truly amazing. Just amazing. Barton is a traitor to the Amercian people. Especially a traitor to those impacted by the oil spill along the gulf. He needs to be bansihed from the United States of America. I feel sorry to a degree for the Republican party for in the past they have had some responsible and dedicated representatives to serve this country. But many of today's Republicans are helping to implode this entire party. Some American people may not feel comfortable with the Dems or Obama, but they are learning to despise the Republicans.
Nah, Tuscaloosa. The really messed up part is that likely no one will even notice that the pub's actually defended BP and, after bi1ching about president Obama's lack of action, called the 20 bill. fund a "shakedown".
Those who make up the base of the pub's will remain in lock step with limbaugh and beck and applaud defending BP. "It's a environmentalist wacko plot!" "Oil is as natural as water.."
Etc. and so forth. And, don't feel sorry for them (pub's).
You guys sure do expouse to know an awful lot about a party that you're not even part of. You don't vote Republican anyway, so who cares?
I feel sorry for you because you're worrying your little mind in regards to Barton. The man can say whatever he wants because no one is going to beat him in his district.
Everyone in here can hate the man but he is only accountable to his district. That is called local poitics. I don't like what he said but he is not my worry.
Its espouse... expouse is my ex-wife.
Texas is pretty close to the situation and has much to lose if thsi is not contained, cleaned up quickly, and the oil finds its way to Texas' gulf shore.
The man would NEVER live this down. Pretty big gamble to take.
I think, in that situation, even his most ardent constituents would take him to the wood shed.
this barton is typical bought and paid for repub that whats doing your bidding if you vote for repubs this is what you get1.4 in campaigh contributions from oil.dont you think he knows where he's bread is butter.i think stupik will take care of these repubs finally the demos are standing there ground pat bucannan is another repub for big bussiness, pat comment took a lot of courage to say that.had nothing to do with courage bought and paid for
I wish the two congressmen, Barton and Price, would immediately travel to Louisiana, stand on a dock and repeat their comments about the $20BIL BP is going to put in escrow. Oh, and be sure and invite those who have had to close down their businesses because of the spill/gush/mess that is still going on.
On the other hand perhaps this isn't a good idea. Might be very dangerous territory for them. The "small people" as BP calls them, would probably push them off the dock or worst.
They need to send these rethuglicans back to their knuckle dragging times... because they are so asinine, it's insane... I wish Obama does not run for a 2nd time because this country is not going to work well having a black president. Some are overly cautious while others are just being to vindictive of all his efforts.
It's sad because he would have a been a great president... only if white.
Tunde,
Good words. The repugs will never accept President Obama as their CIC period. They have blocked every thing he has tried to date. And the DEMS are not exactly showing any backbone to push back. I guess this is what we get when we elect representatives that are bought and paid for by Big Oil, Business and Insurance Companies. We have corrupt politicians on both side of the aisle.
It kills me, but I have to agree with you Navy. We need more Dems with guts and at least the outline of a spine. Why we let these anti-American Repugnicans get away with this crapola is beyond me. We need to remember what this country is based on and let's start working again FOR THE PEOPLE!
Disgusted in PA,
Great words. I am with you.
The SH!T goes on on BOTH sides. Do you not think Democrats take donations from OIL, BANKS, WALLSTREET, etc.?
You need to open your eyes. A POLITICIAN IS A POLITICIAN no matter what color, party, gender, etc.
Partisanship has blinded you. I guarantee your political representative that you idolize has taken money from those you dispise. THIS IS WHY THEY ARE QUIET AND WEAK.
Tx, again there is some truth in your words. However, if you actually do the research and do not just regurgitate what Billbo, Glenda, and Rushball spew, you will learn that the Repugnant Ones take VASTLY more Big Oil money than Obama. Also, did you forget what lucrative industry the previous administration made THEIR multi-millions from?
No, the difference Tx, is that the Repugnant Ones are the ones beating their chests on NATIONAL TV to defend those poor little overly regulated, terribly persecuted MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR CORPORATIONS while the Democrats are the ones pushing to have INDEPENDENT funds set up and administered to take care of the PEOPLE and the SMALL businesses that have been decimated by the generosity and philanthropy of the wonderful corporations you worship. Moron.
Listen here you stupid MF! I dont worship anything but the man upstairs. Yes i can get gutter with you.
The Democrats sh!t stink too. They take just as much money as Republicans if not their azzez would not be in Washington.
I own a small biz and corporations haven't decimated us. We compete very well.
I see that ITM is as articulate as ever...
LMAO!! Nobody does it better...
Please help with some clarification, FR. Dave Price is a Democrat from North Carolina. Tom Price is a Republican from Georgia. Which one was actually responsible for the ill-considered remarks quoted above? (I think I know the answer already)
Ron -- What a boneheaded mistake on my part. We corrected the item, and thank you for the heads up.
What is wrong with the Republicans?
They complained to whoever that cares to listen that President Obama is not on top of the Gulf spill and when he takes full control they whine and call it a shakedown?
Please warn Price and Barton that we are watching and tired of their whining and that the republican party will see unprecedented losses in the November elections, not withstanding all the bogus and partial polls that make them believe they have an edge over the Democrats come November.
I'm getting sick of the reference to chicago style politics, chicago is the city that works, what wrong with washington working for a darn change
Considering some of the underhanded things that have gone on in DC it could be said that DC using Chicago style politics is a complement...
M.Fisher
thank you!!!
for some reason people think that because a city like chicago does not have the inner political problems like washington is a bad thing. the Mayor does not take crap, there is a one partry rule system, NO republicans, this is why chicago contunies to work, No inter battles everybody workes together. Now springfield (capital) is a different story, they work like washington, Nothen ever gets done. due to the budget problems the city department have worked with the mayor to ease problems. the unions have agrees to give up paid days off to help balance the budgets with no tax increases. Just think a democratic city that has not raises property taxes in years.
I'll take chicago style politics over washington politics any day!!!!
Listening to these hearings is a JOKE! It's nothing more than a dog & pony show to appease the masses!
Matt Lauer - are you paying attention? This is what REAL theatrics looks like - NOT the imaginary kind that you conjur up all in the name of ratings!
Way to go Barton! You just scored your campaign some extra big oil funds and maybe some under the table personal cash and gifts!
Woohoo! Way to sell the American people like the whores that you think all of us 'little people' are. You're a sack of sh1t if there ever was one.
You can't shake down an oil company and not cut these guys in. It is not right to shakedown the responsible party, and then give that money directly to the affected people. You are supposed to drag them through the courts for years, you are supposed to spread that money around to your business buddies through lucrative cleanup contracts, then allow them to hire the cheapest labor available by suspending prevailing wage and other employment regulations by declaring whatever. Who does this Obama think he is to just take 20 billion and deliver it directly to the little people so that they can try and repair their lives. He didn't learn a damn thing from the Valdez spill or even hurricane Katrina! If I was directly affected by this spill I would thank God that he didn't.
You're right Grump....We're talking about a lot of money. And as most republicans will tell you, we can't rush into this and have it "shoved down our throats".
If we aren't careful, they people who need the most help from this money....just might get it!
No Forrest,
Don't forget all the union people that will be enriched by this when we hire legitimate companies to do the much needed work. Heaven forbid, we might even be able to throw a few bucks to the companies that manufacture respirators so that those doing the cleanup (and not whining and defending those that caused the toxic leak in the first place) and not be subject to BP's attempts at hiding the true extent of the damage as well as risking the health of those cleaning up their mess as they can't stand the sight of video of people in respirators clearing beaches of THEIR toxic sludge...
Obama only cares about little people!
Well, doesn't this paint the picture of the Republicans are for big business and their own greed over the citizens of this country. One could actually argue that the current lot of Republicans in Congress have become a domestic enemy to this country based on their comments and inaction to solve the serious economic and environmental issues facing this country today.
Hey, Terry.
Could you please send this brilliant post of yours to the office of the president?? One should not allow a crisis, like the one here created by a couple of greedy, repulican's big mouths, to go to waste. I hope the pub's get hammered over this blatantly biased statement. You make a fantastic point. Even Boner is ducking this one....
M. Fisher,
Consider it done.
I think the nay-sayers should find a position and stick with it - either you want the administration to be tougher, or you don't. When there was no BP pledge for a compensation fund, they complained Obama was not tough enough. Now that there is a fund being established, they complain he is too tough on BP. Which is it??? And did you hear Bachman's remarks last night on CNN that based on the escrow fund agreement, Obama plans a takeover of big oil - Does she not understand what a compensation fund means? Did she fear the same when a compensation fund was created for 911 victims? And in this case, it is not funded by taxpayers, but by the company whos actions/inactions caused the damages, which is even better. Sometimes I think these politicians live on another planet and I wish they would return there.
Bernadette - 391440
Note that the victims families of the 911 tragedy received compensation. The air was "CLEAN" for all the first responders, police, fire and construciton workers to work in (The clean air according to the EPA administrator Whitman who was appointed by Bush/Cheney) - and now the real problems are coming to light. And of course, everyone is avoiding trying to set up a fund to help those who responded and are now afflicted with all sorts of lung and cancer diseases.
Of course no one can rememeber how to say "We will help you". These first responders are now being driven into severe economic turmoil. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Rethugs could once say yes?
As an American that has fought for the rights of these two idiots to be where they are - to betray their country.
I think these men are a total disgrace to The United States of America and borderline treason!
Shame on you! Your loyalty to big oil and the United Kingdom is disgraceful and you will be condemned by U.S.
You don't speak for America - you disgusted scum...!!!
Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA
Thank God that they are NO longer in control. Republicans are the gift that keeps on giving and I really do hope that the resident's on the Gulf coast in Republican strong hold sates are listening and comprehending what these people are saying and doing.
I agree with the principle but they should have thrown in a joking shot about getting in bed with dogs, waking up with flees and then hoping they end in bankruptcy and their parts sold off to corporations that won't cower to the Socialist Party.
I would not group all Republicans with the likes of Barton and Price - who are clearly prepared to guard oil industry interests at the limitless expense of American taxpayers - but one does wonder if we would have online video, congressional investigations, and the $20B compensation funds if Congress was Republican led at this time. I recall those towns and communities - which were devastated by chemical spills and other grossly negligent corporate actions - whose claims for compensation were summarily dismissed as "frivolous lawsuits."
I look for the day when there will be a choice between viable political parties.
"The Federal Government is doing to little"..."The Federal Government is doing too much"...this is getting really old, make up your minds and get on the same page, GOP!!
What could these two boneheads actually be thinking? Oh wait, if they were thinking, that means they'd have to have a working brain. That explains it. A shakedown of a company who makes billions in profits EVERY YEAR? Yeah, even bonehead Bohner can't even get himself to agree with these two morons.
TEXAS REP APOLOGIZES TO BP!!! Without any doubt and especially without any hint of guilt Joe Barton showed where his complete loyalty and commitment is; not with his constituents but with the Special Interests who support him and who he caters to. It is but one clear example of what is wrong in politics. As long as politics takes so much money just to run then money is just going to run politics (and the people will come in 2nd, if at all). We saw it even more vividly over the eight years with Bush-Cheney constantly doing everything to placate and patronize Special Interests and the select few, while they gave the people only apathy, the costs and an abundance of subterfuge to rationalize and manipulate. Whenever it is obvious a politician favors Special Interests and/or the special few, the voters need to take notice and beware.
How many people think that Price, Barton and for that matter most Congressmen consider the best interests of the people or the country over the well being of people with money? Probably not many. And yet the status quo seems irreversible, Congress knows that the people realize they have no representation in DC, Congress also knows there is little that people can do about it, an honest person can not be elected to Congress the system is designed to prevent that, they know everyone thinks term limits would be a good way to at least make a dent in the blatant corruption in Congress, they just ignore that fact because they know there is nothing the people can do about it, they truly can do what ever they want and they know it. Something really needs to be done to change the whole political system in this country but I don't know how it can be done at this point, your vote is the only power you have and they have made sure that has been effectively rendered meaningless, the faces can be changed in our Congress but the greed and corruption are permanent fixtures that cannot be voted in or out.
As a conservative, I am both appalled and embarrased at these remarks. The issue isn't whether the President technically has legal authority to 'compel' a private company to contribute to an escrow account. Nor is the issue the use of the presumably distasteful tactic of 'exerting its brand of Chicago-style shakedown politics.'
The issue is bringing whatever pressure the Presdient can muster to bear on the problem of encouraging BP to do the right thing. With public opinion hugely against BP, the President has considerable lattitude to 'persuade' BP to belly up to the bar. And the only gun that's being held against BP's head is the widespread public outrage at their behavior.
So I have no problem with the notion the President may not have 'legal authority' to force BP to do anything. The court of public opinion as influenced by the disaster in the Gulf is all the authority the President needs. And BP ignores the verdict of that court at its peril, which is why they ponied up $20B.
And my message to Barton and Price is shut the f**k up. You're doing more to hurt our side than advance our cause.
Be still MY heart. I am in agreement with Bill. AGAIN.
Bill, THESE are the knuckleheads that are in Congress that are causing us ALL to have issues. I am glad that you see this as well as we do.
Let's hope that the very RED Gulf States are seeing the GOP in action as well. Maybe they will vote DIFFERENTLY in November. It's pretty obvious that THESE GOPers don't care too much abut Americans who are suffering.
Bill fairfax
Amen!!!!
Some of that leverage probably came from possible criminal charges and the possibility of an executive being married to the guy with the most cigarettes.
Bill - Your last sentence is so right on - remarks like these will only appeal to a certain segment of "your side" that is already so carried away with themselves that they're starting to cost you whatever natural momentum you may have had going into the upcoming elections. So, yes - very stupid from a political standpoint.
But you also mentioned a lot of other words in your post that point out the basic fallacy of these comments. Did the President "compel" BP to do anything, or did he "persuade" them? Did he "bring pressure" or "encourage"? Was there a literal or figurative "gun to BP's head" during this supposed "shakedown", and if so, what kind?
The answer is, we don't know. And neither do Barton and Price. I'm reminded of a line from the old 60's tv show "Rat Patrol", where every time the squad leader questioned one of the private's activities, the stock answer was "Who was there, Sarge? You or me?" Barton says he's "ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday"? Does that mean he was there? If so, he needs to share more of the details of what went on. If not, he needs to shut up before he hurts his party even more.
Thanks for a good post.
Price and Barton are just upset that they won't be getting their dividend checks.
the repub tom price. the repubs expose there selfs more everyday there elite posture is truely sick it time people to elminate these people drunk on oil and big bussiness,the repubs are losing seats everyday just keep those lips flaping
Bill,
Amen and thank you for restoring my faith in those on the right. There is still a shred of hope that some of you may yet prevail and pull your party and it's "leaders?" out of their collective funk and get back to having a positive discourse on how we can all come together and solve the problems we ALL face as a NATION...
Like Kerry? He owned stock in the "Big evil Green Oil Company" bet like Obama he took plenty of donations from them too. Continue with you fake outrage now.
Dave, not sure if you are being sarcastic but if not the problem is this, the majority if not all politicians receive contributions from the oil industry true, however, the Republicans garner the most contributions from the oil industry and there in lies the problem. As long as the Republicans garner the most, they side with them.
Hey Dave,
Do you see or hear Kerry or Obama crying crocodile tears to protect poor BP from all those angry people in the Gulf whose lives have been destroyed? No, that would be the Repugnant Ones that you are in bed with. Get a clue and figure out what is truly in your own best interests. Then get over the fact that the American people saw through Johnny McLame and Caribou Barbie and FINALLY elected a President with a brain!
Disgusted -
Great post! Couldn't agree with you more!
All filing claims against BP should forward them to the GOP for payment. Transfer liability to the party that has asked for it.
I had this doctor once that i was sent to by an insurance carrier when I went blind. Their doc examined me and reported I had perfect vision. Well, I took him at his word and took that form to the Department of Motor Vehicles and demanded the State return my liscense as I had proof - Their Doc said I could see. It took the doctor seconds to recind his Perfect Vision Diagnosis when informed by DMV he was accepting LIABILITY FOR HIS FALSE STATEMENT.
Texas Rep. Joe Barton has volunterred to assume financial responsibilit for the Gulf of Mexico. I say, Let him.