John Shadegg - Newest Punter For The Cardinals??

Maybe he thinks that by not voting *against* a bill that would help American consumers facing skyrocketing gas prices, the consumers (and voters) of his district won't notice that he didn't vote *for* it, and them, either.

On Thursday, the House had nine roll call votes -

Roll Call #462, 11:52 a.m. EDT, Ordering the previous question (aka - ending debate) on H. Res. 1304, allowing for consideration of H.R. 6052 (a bill encouraging Americans to conserve energy by using public transportation). The motion passed 228 - 198, Shadegg voting nay (to continue deliberations).

Roll Call #463, 12:02 p.m., On passage of H. Res. 1304. Resolution passed 230 - 196, Shadegg voting nay (against allowing consideration of H.R. 6052).

Roll Call #464, 12:09 p.m., On passage of H. Res. 1291; passed 421 - 0, Shadegg voting yea.

Roll Call #465, 4:45 p.m., On approval of an amendment of H.R. 6052; passed 421 - 0, Shadegg voing yea.

Roll Call #466, 5:21 p.m. On a motion to recommit (aka - kill) H.R. 6052; failed 199 - 211, Shadegg voting yea.

Roll Call #467, 5:28 p.m., On Passage of H.R. 6052; passed 322 - 98, Shadegg voting nay (apparently he doesn't want people to use public transportation, perhaps because it might cut into the profit margins of Big Oil and the auto industry.)

Roll Call #468, 5:36 p.m.. On passage of H.R. 6377, the Energy Markets Emergency Act of 2008; passed 402 - 19, Shadegg voting yea. This bill would "direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to utilize all its authority, including its emergency powers, to curb immediately the role of excessive speculation in any contract market within the jurisdiction and control of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, on or through which energy futures or swaps are traded, and to eliminate excessive speculation, price distortion, sudden or unreasonable fluctuations or unwarranted changes in prices, or other unlawful activity that is causing major market disturbances that prevent the market from accurately reflecting the forces of supply and demand for energy commodities."

Roll Call #469, 5:44 p.m., On passage of H.R. 6251, the Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act; failed 223 - 195 (2/3 required), Shadegg not voting. This bill would have compelled oil companies that leased public lands to drill for oil to actually drill and produce oil from that leased land, or be barred from acquiring more leases.

Roll Call #470, 5:51 p.m., On passage of H. Res. 1098, Supporting the goals and ideals of the Year of the American Veteran; passed 409 - 0, Shadegg voting yea.

So let's see...during an agonizingly long voting day of almost 6 hours (yes, that "agonizingly" is dripping with sarcasm), Shadegg makes every vote but for the one on the only bill under consideration that day that had some teeth in it, one that could have made a difference to the American people.

Coincidence? Probably not. Consider this -

One one hand, Shadegg is beholden to Big Oil, having received hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from petroleum and other energy interests over the years.

On the other hand, he's been getting some serious heat for being out of touch with his constituents and their concerns and needs.

Hmmm......so, what to do, what to do??? If he votes for the measure, he alienates some of his biggest campaign contributors (and possible future employers); if he votes against it, he further alienates the average resident of his district (increasing the likelihood that he will need a "future employer" after November's election).

Damned if you do, damned if you don't....

What's a weary, ready-to-retire-but-they-won't-let-him=go pol to do?

What else? Call upon all of his experience and guile and do something that no one will expect.

The legislative equivalent of football's quick kick - simply skip the tough vote.


And for this he gets paid almost $170K per year???


Anyway, perhaps somebody should let Shadegg know - it was a nice try, but he didn't fool anyone.

BTW - I'm not exactly the first one to notice Shadegg's little attempt at a slide-step. From a Bob Lord for Congress press release -

"While we are paying $4.14 per gallon for gas here in Phoenix, John Shadegg intentionally skipped a vote that would force oil companies to drill for oil on the land they already lease," said Andrew Eldredge-Martin, Lord's campaign manager. "The Bush-Shadegg philosophy on energy gives the oil companies all our public lands, lets the companies sit inactive on the land, leaves consumers to fend for themselves, and allows Shadegg to keep taking big checks from the oil, gas and energy industry. This philosophy is bankrupt, just like we will all be soon if we don't take action on gas prices."

Expect a counter-release from the Shadegg campaign admonishing the Lord campaign for not saying "thank you" for the early Christmas gift. :)

Oh, and if Shadegg takes the title of this post to heart - Cards training camp starts July 25th.

Skipping out on that means that you get cut from the team. Keep this up, and Shadegg will be cut from the Congressional teams.

Later!