Bartlett -- there's something in your water!

[OnBackground]

CongressDaily reports that Rep. Roscoe Bartlett voted for a previous version of the energy bill with provisions allowing groundwater pollution while having some of the worst water in their own districts:

"With House Republicans moving rapidly on a comprehensive energy bill, a leading environmental group is taking aim at House members whose districts have evidence of groundwater contaminated with the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether, or MTBE.
According to a report released this week by the Environmental Working Group Action Fund, contaminated groundwater has been found in the districts of 112 House members in both parties who voted for the 2003 energy bill, which contained a provision shielding MTBE producers from lawsuits.
That measure stalled largely because of the MTBE liability waiver, which attracted strong Senate opposition.
The new energy bill as drafted by House Energy and Commerce Chairman Barton contains a provision, although unlike the previous bill it would not affect pending lawsuits."

snip

" The largest problems are in the districts of Reps. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., and Mike Ross, D-Ark., with contamination found in 50 different water systems each. Bartlett was unavailable for comment by presstime."

[DaveinMD]

1. Bartlett could kill a child

and still not lose in that district.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

2. There must be something in the water that makes them so dumb.

The only excuse for voting for Bartlett would be brain damage.

[DaveinMD]

3. they put

most of the Republican into two district so we could win the other 6.

[hootinholler]

4. No, HE's vulnerable.

But it will take a straight talking redneck Dem working at the grass roots level to oust him. I think I could do it, but, not being a politician, I don't know how to go about it.

I would take him on in a number of areas, ground water contamination being one of them.

That he's a Gentleman farmer, not a real farmer whose bread and butter come from the land, but claims to be a farmer, being another.

Lack of support of troops being a third.

Gain the support of AG, and Vets in this district and you'll cut a cross section of all other demographics.

I'm sure there are more waiting to be picked, these are off the top of my head.

So, how do I run, or work on a real strategy for someone who does?

-Hoot

[DaveinMD]

5. if you want to run

you need to start now. Start going to all the political events. Find good local people to help you with advice. I know some good folks in Frederick. Start raising money. You'll need at least 1 million to get the job done. I know that there is one candidate seriously thinking about running. I'll try to find out more about him next week.

[hootinholler]

6. There's something fundamentally wrong when

you have to spend a million dollars to get a job that pays 100K a year.

Let me know who the person maybe running is, and some contacts in Frederick would be good. It's a job that I don't want, but, want a republican congress now less. I would be a fringe element from left field running as I'm not involved in the political scene at all.

-Hoot

[DaveinMD]

7. it costs money

to communicate with voters. That's just a fact of life. This Saturday there is a Western Maryland Political Summit taking place at Rocky Gap. I'll find out some stuff there.

[Zuni]

8. People in Bartlett's district should be reminded that he was a key player

in Rev. Moon's coronation ceremony at the US Senate building, one of the most disturbing events in modern politics

http://www.hillnews.com/news/062204/moon.aspx

[elshiva]

9. I am from Bartlett's district and I did not vote for him.

Yeah he is on the Energy Committee and is for nuclear power as well. Do y'all think I should phone him about this? I've been calling his office a lot lately because of Tom DeLay and the Dept. of Peace, but this is some crap.

[hootinholler]

10. Ok, here's the quote of a staffer spinning it...

Lisa Wright, a spokeswoman for Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md), upon whom Moon bestowed an Ambassador of Peace Medal at the ceremony, said Bartlett was “notified that he was a recipient by the Washington Times Foundation” and Bartlett “does not recall” being there for Moon’s speech. She said, “Congressman Bartlett will decline to attend future and similar events to receive awards from the Washington Times Foundation. … There was no representation of personal involvement by the Reverend Moon in connection with the event.”


I think it's possible he was led down the garden path here, but, personally I think it unlikely. Especially considering The Hill lists him being in on organizational aspects of the event, and considering how long he's been in DC.

Sadly, we will likely never know with certainty the depths of his involvement.

-Hoot