Bill Nelson joins Harry Reid and Frist to allow oil drilling offshore.

[madfloridian]

I knew he would do this. Go along, get along. Join the Republicans in selling out our shorelines. Yeh, I know, the Republicans are going to do it anyway so let's join them and make it look and smell better instead of standing up for your constituents.

http://theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060728/NEWS/607280403/1134

WASHINGTON -- "Sen. Bill Nelson said Thursday he would vote for legislation opening waters near Florida to offshore oil and gas drilling -- disappointing his environmental allies but not necessarily defeating them.

The Florida Democrat made his decision after receiving written assurances from the majority leader, Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee, and the Democratic leader, Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, that they would protect the bill during negotiations with the House. Reid further promised to lead a filibuster if the measure returns altered.

......"The Senate bill, which would open 8.3 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico, already appeared headed for passage, but Nelson threatened to make trouble. Nelson's vote provides cover for lawmakers such as Martinez, who has been targeted by environmental groups for striking the deal with drilling supporters.

Environmental activists said they were surprised by Nelson's announcement.

"We're disappointed that this is where we ended up after a summer of hard work," said Athan Manuel, a drilling expert for the Sierra Club, which has run ads in Florida criticizing Martinez."

[BonnieJW]

1. Another Lieberman

I hope a good Dem runs against him next time and throws him out.

[KyuzoGator]

2. Hasn't he been strongly opposing this bill for months?

Flip-flop.

[porphyrian]

3. They must've upped his "campaign contribution..." - n/t

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. That sure what I thought!

I remember him coming to the floor a year or so ago and saying that he had just come from a meeting, that they (Cons) we going to push for offshore drilling off the coast of Florida and he was going to fight it.

Something had to have changed his mind. Was there a call-in day by Freaks or something? Mind boggling.

[KoKo]

5. hmmm is this what he was saving the "fillibuster" for? n/t

[Orangepeel]

6. I don't know. It might have been the best he could do.

According to the article, there weren't enough votes in the Senate to sustain a filibuster (I can imagine quite a few Democrats who wouldn't want to explain to their own constituents why Florida is so special).

This way, he has some agreement to support a filibuster if the bill comes back altered (which it almost certainly will).

Bill certainly might have caved because he tends to cave. But maybe not. The article calls it a "high stakes game of chicken with the House." Risky, if true, but again, possibly the best option.

Anyway, he's having some sort of town hall this weekend. I have to work, but maybe you could go "talk" to him. I'll PM you the details if you don't have them.

[madfloridian]

7. I have the details.

Not going to drive to Orlando though.

It will pass anyway, we know that. I guess I get tired of it all.

[msongs]

8. let's drill for oil in all the mormon temples for the good of the USA

oh, sorry, that would directly affect Mr. Reid and get blowback.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/howarddean2008.htm

[madfloridian]

9. This is far worse than what Dean said about Harris.

Yet it will get almost no attention. It will be mentioned and played down. Yet what Dean said is making the right wing flip their lids.

I am so tired of this. Nelson should NOT have scheduled his meet and greet for the Democratic reach out weekend. I doubt he even knew about it.

This is what you get when you have incumbents who get comfortable and feel safe.

I am very tired of it all.

[yorgatron]

10. we have to keep our powder dry!

if Joe can lose his job,so can you Harry...

[madfloridian]

11. Right in Katrina's path they will drill. Brilliant indeed.

Good plan.

Doesn't this bill include more drilling offshore of CA as well? Or is Feinstein still fighting that, Arnold as well.

But the world is falling apart because Dean said Harris was not Stalin.

No one pays this new upcoming bill any attention. Oh, banging my head now, no need to pay attention because they have their target...and it is not Bill Nelson.



:banghead: