For weeks, Republican lawmakers have been pushing for an increase in offshore oil drilling, hoping to use towering fuel costs and Democrats’ historic
For weeks, Republican lawmakers have been pushing for an increase in offshore oil drilling, hoping to use towering fuel costs and Democrats’ historic opposition to the drilling expansion to make the energy debate the defining issue of the congressional campaign season.
Then Lehman Bros. crumpled into bankruptcy, Merrill Lynch was sold out and AIG began teetering at the brink of collapse.
Now, suddenly, the price of gas — which has fallen steadily for months — doesn’t seem so drastic as a flailing Wall Street. Democrats are using the economic turmoil to promote a second economic stimulus package — something GOP leaders, including President George W. Bush, have thus far resisted.
The Democrats’ $50 billion stimulus blueprint includes increased funding for infrastructure projects, Medicaid, low-incoming heating assistance, the ailing auto industry, an extension of unemployment benefits and a much-lobbied extension of renewable fuel tax credits. In short, there’s something for everyone, and Republicans facing tough reelections will have no simple time opposing the legislation.
As Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said today (quoted in The Hill): “I think the Republicans are looking for an opportunity, particularly the ones up for reelection … to do something different from George Bush economic policies.”
One element that might remain the same: Democrats haven’t indicated that they plan to offset the $50 billion.
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MA-Sen: Brown Wins
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Below are some photos of yesterday’s People’s Rally in Worcester, the rally that Brown held to counter-program the Obama rally in Boston. The crush of
MA-Sen: Out-of-Staters for Brown
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Menendez, Lautenberg to Continue BP-Lockerbie Investigation
Sens. Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg, both New Jersey Democrats, will continue to seek details about BP’s alleged involvement in the release last year of
Net Investors Bullish on Palin’s Prospects for Staying on Ticket
Just for fun, the Internet prediction Website Intrade has opened a contract on whether Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will be withdrawn as McCain’s running mate.
No Experience Necessary
Gov. Sarah Palin’s a middle-class hockey mom, but does that really qualify her to be vice president?