'People are calling for his head' (Barton) - Updated

[ProSense]

'People are calling for his head'

By JONATHAN ALLEN & JAKE SHERMAN

Republicans, particularly Gulf state lawmakers, are furious at Rep. Joe L. Barton (R-Texas) and may ask him to cede his job as top Republican on Energy and Commerce in the wake of his apology to BP Thursday.

"People are calling for his head," said a GOP member of the committee.

Talk on the House floor at a Thursday morning vote centered on the potential fallout of Barton's apology to BP and his comment that the White House had conducted a "shakedown" of BP for a $20 billion escrow fund for the Gulf cleanup. Some Republicans are calling for him to lose his status on the committee, according to a GOP lawmaker who requested anonymity.

"It's fair to say there were some people who were very upset," added a GOP leadership aide.

more

On edit: Sounds like Republican damage control. It's not like he's the only one who has made disgusting statements.

Updated to add: The GO(B)P

[Arkana]

1. Hahahaha. He deserves it for so ostensibly taking BP's side.

[The Wielding Truth]

2. That was lousy thing for him to say. He is not worthy of representing any American!

[provis99]

10. true.

On the other hand, he is a stellar representative for multinational corporations.

[Jennicut]

3. Oopsie. Of course, a bunch of other Rethugs said the same thing.

[tridim]

4. They all agree with him, they're just afraid to say it.

:rofl:

The damage is already done, it can not be rolled back now.

[Clio the Leo]

5. Cannot WAIT ... CANNOT WAIT for Rep Melancon to have his turn!

He may ignore Hayward completely and light straight into Barton! lol

[POAS]

6. He's just another JOE

Joe Barton
Joe Wilson
Joe the plumber

[DrToast]

7. It takes a lot for a Repbulican to piss off other Republicans

He most not be liked within the caucus already and people are using this a chance to screw him over.

[Inuca]

8. I was listening to the hearing

when I heard the comment, my jaw literally dropped (which probably looked funny if anybody was watching me at work :blush:). Absolutely stunning.

[TheKentuckian]

9. Only the most far gone and hyper-partisan TeaPubliKlan could support Barton's sentiment

How can any citizen want such a tool of corporate power to represent them?

His approval rating should drop to zero and take the pukes down 20 points on general principle.

[flamingdem]

11. off with 'is 'ead nt

[Raine1967]

12. I see their Barton and Raise them a Barbour

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/06/16/barbour-bp-escrow/

but before Barton made his comments there was this: http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/06/house-conservatives-call-escrow-account-chicago-style-shakedown.php?ref=fpa

The Republican Study Committee, a group of conservative members of the House, released a statement today calling the $20 billion BP escrow account a "Chicago-style political shakedown."

"BP's reported willingness to go along with the White House's new fund suggests that the Obama Administration is hard at work exerting its brand of Chicago-style shakedown politics,
wrote chairman Tom Price (R-GA). "These actions are emblematic of a politicization of our economy that has been borne out of this Administration's drive for greater power and control."



Just KNOW, this is where BArton got his talking points from

They ALL are putting this corporation before people. Make NO mistake about that.

[POAS]

13. I'll see your Barbour and raise

you a Wilson and a plumber.

[Raine1967]

16. YOU LIE!

They all really make my stomach turn.

[niceypoo]

14. Yay!

Suddenly Obama's balls are the size of cannon balls! Finally walking the talk.

Oh, and I just love your avatar....almost spewed my coffee when I saw it.

[WI_DEM]

15. And he isn't the only republican who has apologized to BP either.

[zipplewrath]

17. Sounds like someone wants his job

I suspect there's a bit of "inside baseball" going on here. He may have never been popular with the leadership, and people see a chance to move him out. Kinda a small version of what went on with Trent Lott.

[otohara]

18. Excellent News

what an idiot, I called his office and said, this isn't going over very well with the C-span audience. I think the Congressman will regret saying this, and I think it will happen soon.

Nailed it!

[KingFlorez]

19. Does he have a Democratic challenger?

I realize his district is like R+15, but we should really try to give him a fight for once, especially after this nonsense.

[ProSense]

20. TRENDING: Republicans distance themselves from Barton (CNN)

TRENDING: Republicans distance themselves from Barton

<...>

"Mr. Barton’s remarks are out of touch with this tragedy and I feel his comments call into question his judgment and ability to serve in a leadership on the Energy and Commerce Committee. He should step down as Ranking Member of the Committee, "said Rep. Jeff Miller, a Republican who represents portions of the Florida coastline significantly impacted by the BP oil spill.

Meanwhile, Rep. Adam Putnam, another Florida Republican, said Barton "owes the people of the gulf coast an apology, not the CEO of the company that caused this mess."

On Miller's call for Barton step down from the committee post, Putnam didn't outright call for the Texas Republican to resign, but said, "There are a lot of conversations going on right now."

Rep Steve Scalise,a Louisiana Republican, also said he disagreed with the comments and said he was informed Barton was going to retract them. Scalise added that "it's not my decision to make" if Barton remains in his leadership position.

<...>

[besdayz]

21. a

if charlie melancon saw fit to punch this guy in the eye in the halls of congress, i would chip in for his defense fund.....

[emulatorloo]

22. thanks for posting this. Kick and Rec n/t

[theothersnippywshrub]

23. Joe the republican says: "Leave BP alone!"