The American Spectator

Snakes on a Plane ) /p> p> INTO THEIR HANDS br> Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.’s Republicans Run Dry : /p>

Senator Frist was on the Sean Hannity radio show yesterday (4/26/06), and tried to explain this latest brilliant political ploy of the good Senator and Mr. Hastert. Essentially, the letter to the President, hearings to investigate possible price gouging, more hearings to pillory oil company executives ad infinitum (remember last summer after Katrina?) are all little more than showboating to appease their unhappy constituents. Once they’ve gone through the motions and determined there is no price-gouging, and the executives have been thoroughly scourged for making their shareholders a profit, they will begin resuscitating legislation on ANWR, move to suspend the gas tax for the summer or longer, etc., etc., etc. Anybody HAVE a problem with that? Anybody SEE a problem with that? It just so happens, I do.

What Mr. Frist apparently doesn’t understand, or doesn’t want to understand, is that we’re way past playing stupid games with the Dems! What the @#$& does he think the Republicans are going to gain from that? Cooperation? If you want cooperation, promise them a year’s supply of gas for their limos, or whatever. C’mon, Senator, we already KNOW, and HAVE the solution! It’s probably in a word processing file on an aid’s computer. The President, and the Republican leadership (if it’s still accurate to call them that) should be out in front on this DEMANDING the legislation NOW to open ANWR, the California coast, the Florida coast, the temporary suspension of regulatory requirements on additive requirements (as they did on Katrina to ensure supply), and yes, suspend the gas tax for a few months to alleviate the immediate irritating effects, both economic and political, of the increase in prices. This is retail politics, not some navel gazing philosophy class.

p>And what about alternative energy? Sure! Even good ol’ Dick Morris has pointed out that this is a perfect opportunity for the President, (and I include the Republicans as well) to bounce back and take away the perceived political advantage the Dems have. I think he’s right. But, the Republicans are so ANXIOUS about staying in power, they don’t seem to understand HOW to do it! All you’ve got to do is LEAD, take ACTION, and nullify the Dems’ demagoguery. Let the Democrats vote against it! Then, take ‘em to the woodshed in November. Just let the people see you lead, just let them see you govern for God’s sake! br> —