I find it amazing that just about the time the Democrats catch up with the Republicans on "values"....they change the playing field again.
Religious Right's Ever-Expanding Definition of 'Traditional Values'One of the most notoriously anti-gay groups on the Religious Right has taken its “traditional values” in an unusual direction – joining the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers to counter a bill in Congress that would set stricter fuel-economy standards.
....."The lawmakers were joined by leaders with the United Auto Workers, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Rev. Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition, who said families needed roomy, safe vehicles."
That would be THIS Lou Sheldon.
How a Lobbyist Stacked the DeckAbramoff had deep roots in the conservative movement and rose to prominence by helping Republicans tap traditionally Democratic K Street lobbyists for campaign dollars. But in the eLottery fight, he employed a win-at-any-cost strategy that went so far as to launch direct-mail attacks on vulnerable House conservatives.
Abramoff quietly arranged for eLottery to pay conservative, anti-gambling activists to help in the firm's $2 million pro-gambling campaign, including Ralph Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition, and the Rev. Louis P. Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition. Both kept in close contact with Abramoff about the arrangement, e-mails show. Abramoff also turned to prominent anti-tax conservative Grover Norquist, arranging to route some of eLottery's money for Reed through Norquist's group, Americans for Tax Reform.
Also PFAW Right Wing Watch points out that the Fanily Research Council, among others, were campaigning against Democrats last year on the basis they would have power over pensions, Social Security, war plans, taxes, etc.
In Promoting GOP, Religious Right Expands Agenda to War, Economic PolicyIn a message to the Family Research Council’s “prayer team,” Tony Perkins warns what could happen “If Democrats Win the House”:
Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will likely become House Speaker. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) boasts, "When I become chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, we will have power over the entire tax system, Social Security system, pension system, Medicare and all international trade." Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., the vociferous former Marine who derides the Iraq war, will chair the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) will become Judiciary Committee Chairman and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) chairman of the Government Reform Committee.
Looks like they don't need to be too concerned about hasty fuel efficiency standards anyway. From the AP article referred to at PFAW Watch.
Fuel Effeciency Plan House Energy and Commerce Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich., said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had told him that she supports delaying consideration of the fuel economy proposals until September as part of a comprehensive review of climate change legislation. Dingell, who pledged support for the Hill-Terry bill, said he was hopeful the House would move an energy package “free of great controversy” next week before the August recess.
But Pelosi spokesman Nadeam Elshami said the speaker had “not ruled anything out” on the energy bill and whether it will include fuel efficiency requirements. The energy bill is expected to be considered next week.
No one appears to be in a hurry. The article was from July 24, and I don't know the status now.