Pelosi on "the war dance of the hand maidens of Big Oil"

Reuters AlertNet - INTERVIEW-Pelosi's top five list for next U.S. president

WASHINGTON, Aug 8 (Reuters) - When the next U.S. president moves into the White House on Jan. 20, 2009, he shouldn't be surprised to get a call from Nancy Pelosi on Capitol Hill with a list of legislative demands.

"End the (Iraq) war, expand health care, create jobs through innovation, rebuild infrastructure and ensure our energy independence." In that order. [Note that about a week ago, Pelosi said she sees energy independence and fighting global warming as "my flagship issue." Why is it listed only #5 here, and why is the "global warming" part not included?]
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With consumers demanding relief from high gasoline prices, Pelosi has snubbed Republican demands to lift a ban on offshore oil drilling in protected areas, calling the idea a "hoax."

"Although people are desperate and want a reduced price, this (drilling) isn't going to make this happen, no matter how unpopular it may be to hold that position. Nonetheless it is the right thing to do," Pelosi said.
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But it is the raging national debate on energy and global warming, exacerbated by soaring gas prices, that now presents Pelosi with one of her toughest challenges as speaker.

Republicans, sensing they have found an issue that is resonating with voters, have been battering Pelosi for blocking their oil drilling legislation -- and some centrist Democrats are moving in their direction.

The debate threatens to fracture the Democratic Party and could put Pelosi at odds with a potential President Obama, who recently embraced some expansion of offshore drilling.

In a sharp tone, Pelosi, whose home state of California suffered a major oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969, said: "Let me just say this. I'm not for it."

Instead, she is pushing her own energy measures that she thinks will be quicker-acting while lowering emissions that contribute to global warming.

As a band of House Republicans staged a protest over inaction on oil drilling this week in the Capitol quieted by the summer recess, Pelosi shrugged it off.

"They're doing what I call the war dance of the hand maidens of Big Oil," she said.

With the offshore drilling ban set to expire on Oct. 1, Pelosi said she will listen to arguments. But her opponents must "prove there's a reason" for expanding drilling.

"I remind them," she said, "the speaker sets the agenda for the House."

And ex-Speakers don't.