Senate GOP Says No to Al Gore-Global Warming Concert at Capitol

[AlGore-08.com]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0307/Senate_GOP_Says_No_to_Al_GoreGlobal_Warming_Concert_at_Capitol.html

You probably didn't notice it (since readers of The Crypt have actual lives), but late Friday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) tried to get Senate Republicans to allow former Vice President Al Gore to stage a global warming concert on Capitol grounds. But Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) objected to Reid's request, and the resolution authorizing the concert, for now, remains stuck in the Rules and Administration Committee.

Specifically, what Reid tried to do was get an unanimous consent agreement approving S. Con. Res. 24, which would permit Live Earth and the Alliance for Climate Protection, which Gore runs, to stage a July 7 concert on Capitol grounds. Live Earth is staging concerts that day on all seven continents, including Antarctica (yes, Antarctica too. If you don't believe me, go look it up. And don't place any nasty comments on here about me being an idiot). Reid and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) have introduced the resolution allowing the concert to take place (see below), and it was referred to the Rules Committee. It's still there, thanks to McConnell's objection, and he apparently wants the panel to look into the matter before he signs off on it.

McConnell, though, said his objection only covered "the time being," so I don't know if that means he and other GOP leaders think it's a good idea or not. I haven't had time to ask him or his staff, but I will and get back to you.

So, for all the wonks out there like me who get off on this stuff, here's a copy of the resolution. Note that the concert won't cost taxpayers anything, since Live Earth and the Alliance for Climate Protection will reimburse the Capitol Police for the cost of security during the concert.

(more, including the text of the resolution... )

[pinkpops]

1. Sounds like a security nightmare Whats wrong with the mall - or

am I missing something?
I dont remember the capital grounds as well suited for something large.

[AlGore-08.com]

4. They wanted the Mall but it was already booked

There have been very large concerts and events on the Capitol grounds before...

[Hippo_Tron]

2. Are you fucking serious?

We're the majority party in both houses and we can't even have a concert unless Mitch McConnell says it's okay? We really sucked as an opposition party compared to the GOP who practically run the Senate.

[tritsofme]

3. I disagree

As minority leader in the 109th Congress, Harry Reid was very adept at foiling Bush's agenda, with a considerably smaller minority caucus.

There was no landmark legislation, and Reid held the upper hand in many situations.

With a 49 member minority, McConnell gets a considerable amount of power on what gets through the Senate.

[LiberalFighter]

5. I don't have a problem with a minority party having some power

even to block legislation. Especially, in the Senate.

We should work with the opposition party whether in the majority or minority. Reid and his whips need to do their job to form coalitions with Republicans willing to work on important legislation.

If they get this concert approved... fine. But there are more important legislation to work on.

Maybe, instead of holding this concert in Washington they should hold it in a more accessible location for all of the country. Illinois?

[AlGore-08.com]

6. The point of holding it in D.C. is to impress upon the Government how much public support

There is for serious action against global warming. A concert in Illinois or Kansas would not make the same impression on the powers that be in D.C., because they tend to have a very narrow focus. (If it doesn't happen in D.C., or directly threaten their ability to be reelected, it doesn't register with far too many of them.)

[LiberalFighter]

7. I don't know about that... why is there only one concert on each continent?