Kagen Flip Flop Watch

The following is a post I wrote and posted for Kagen Watch

Well, at least the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported about Steve Kagen's flip flop. If anyone will do some aspect of real reporting in Wisconsin it is usually Diana Marrero. I have a few issues with it but at least it was reported.

Where is the 8th district drive by's? Still waiting

Good Job Diana.

By DIANA MARRERO
dmarrero@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Sept. 20, 2008

Energy battle: Republicans are bashing Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Appleton) for his votes last week on energy legislation. Kagen, a freshman who is in a tough re-election battle, voted for a broad energy bill that would open up some offshore areas to drilling. That bill passed the House late Tuesday on a vote of 236-189.

Were standing up against a sham energy bill and were bashing?

But he also voted against a motion offered by House Republicans that would have replaced the Democrats’ bill with another by Reps. John Peterson (R-Pa.) and Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii). Kagen, like many other Democrats, was a co-sponsor of that alternative legislation, which would have lifted the current offshore drilling ban while allowing states to restrict drilling between 25 and 50 miles offshore.

Please Diana, the bill was sponsored by republicans and democrats. Isn't that called a bi partisan bill?

The bill that passed would allow drilling to occur 50 miles offshore, but only if states permit it. Opponents say the House-backed measure placed so many limits on new offshore production that it would do little to expand domestic energy supplies.

So how many states will authorize drilling? Did you also know even if the states do authorize drilling they would get zero revenue from the drilling, That's right all money would go to the federal government and the states get zip, zero, notta!

Mark Graul, a spokesman for Kagen’s Republican opponent, John Gard, noted that Kagen voted against the same bill he originally co-sponsored.

“Boy that looks like your typical Washington political stuff for most people,” he said, arguing that Kagen was “trying to play political games and be on every side on every issue.”

Mark, let's just call it the Kagen two step!

Kagen defended his vote, saying the Democratic bill allowed for drilling while investing in alternative energy.

Got to give Kagen credit, he is still using the Nancy Pelosi talking points.

“It’s a move in the right direction,” he said. “This is a big step forward in terms of changing our energy policy.”

The Kagen two step, "one step forward, two steps back to $5.00 gasoline!
Steve, every time your constituents stand in front of that pump, they will remember your vote on energy.

3.89 ding, 3.95 ding,4.00 ding,4.25 ding, 4.49 ding, 4.99 ding,ding,ding,ding!