I don't understand this. Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) referred to Mr. Obama's $20B extortion hit on BP as a "shakedown" during a Congressional hearing the other day, and Republican House leadership made him apologize for it.
Why?
Isn't that what it was? There is a legal process for filing claims and a legal process to determine culpability and negligence. Are these processes no longer the way we work things out?
Barton got it right, and Boehner and Cantor are acting like weenies on this one.
Politically, I think it was unwise. I think the sentiment could have been conveyed better. Instead, he came off sounding as a shill for BP - which both democrats and republicans alike can agree has handled this whole mess poorly.
ReplyDeleteHe should have said that the administration's action may be overstepping the limits of executive power, and might set a dangerous precedent.
This (w)hole thing is a mess but they broke Reagan's golden rule. Thou shalt not criticize another Republican in public.
ReplyDeleteWhen are you "small" people gonna get it?