Norm parrots Republican line on energy

Occasionally, the truth slips between the glistening white teeth of Sen. Norm Coleman. Not often but occasionally. Part of the complex political gymnastics that Norm is attempting to perform this year is to make himself appear moderate and independent. He uses Norm-speak^TM to hide his partisan hack nature. So when Norm releases a statement concerning energy, you'd think he and his campaign staff wouldn't be parroting the Bush/Republican party line. This is just the title.

COLEMAN: ENERGY BILL MUST PRODUCE MORE, USE LESS AND FIGHT EXCESSIVE SPECULATION
(Norm's 7/23/08 press release)

"Produce more, use less" is the Republican mantra on energy. The only thing that separates this this press release from all the other Republican's talking about energy is that Norm wants to be the Republican Champion of Oversight. Of course, as I have mentioned on many, many occasions, Norm is only interested in oversight on a limited number of subjects. Oil speculation happens to fit his oversight criteria because no Republicans will be hurt.

The truth is Norm Coleman is as independent as his teeth are yellowed and crooked.

Here's Sen. Lamar Alexander's (R-TN) press release on this subject from late June:

Alexander: Find More, Use Less Is Key to Lower Gas Prices

June 26th, 2008 - WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, today joined other senators to unveil a proposal to lower gas prices by “finding more and using less.” (alexander.senate.gov)

Here's Sen. Pete Dominici's (R-AZ) presser from late June:

Senator Wants Vote This Summer on Bill to “Find More & Use Less” --

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pete Domenici, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today signed on as an original cosponsor to the “Gas Price Reduction Act,” a measure Republican Senators believe should be passed before the end of the summer to address the American demand for energy.
(domenici.senate.gov)

Here's Sen. Thad Cochran's (R-MS):

The proposed language includes several measures: opening new areas for deep sea exploration and oil shale development in the Rocky Mountain West, expanding research for alternatively-powered vehicles, and enhancing the capabilities of the commodities futures market.

“FIND MORE, USE LESS”

Republican Senator Lamar Alexander says, “Our bill can be summed up in four words: Find more, use less.”
(blog.thadforsenate.com)

Sen. George Voinovich'sv (R-OH):

Find More, Use Less: Gas Price Reduction Act
**MEDIA ALERT**

July 10, 2008

WASHINGTON – The Senate Republican Conference will hold an energy forum Friday, July 11, to discuss rising fuel costs and how the Gas Price Reduction Act would lower gas prices by finding more energy while encouraging new technologies that use less. The forum will be chaired by Senator George Voinovich, R-Ohio.
(voinovich.senate.gov)

This "find more, use less" talking point and associated bill work in conjunction with President Bush who has lifted the executive order banning off-shore drilling. The Republicans are pulling their ranks together on energy so that they can give Big Oil even more free money and tax breaks as well as prevent too much investment into alternative energy. Norm is no different, he's gotten his talking points and marching orders. He's doing his part as a Bush Loyalist and Republican trooper.