Miami Herald - "Could Joe Barton, who defended BP, really lead energy panel?"

[TomCADem]

The corporate media is largely ignoring the story that BP apologist, Joe Barton (R), is making a strong big to lead the House energy committee. The question is whether liberals and progressives will pick up on this and call out the corporate media for hiding this man's efforts to serve the interests of BIG OIL.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/19/1934351/barton-may-be-making-headway-in.html

WASHINGTON — Is Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, improving his chances at landing the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee?

Barton, who was facing long odds at becoming chairman again because of GOP term limits, is now looking at being able to make his case to the House GOP Steering Committee without going through a separate process of getting a waiver from House GOP rules.

According to several House Republican staffers, all of the candidates to chair the panel _ Reps. Fred Upton of Michigan, John Shimkus of Illinois and Cliff Stearns of Florida _ will be able to present their argument to be chairman when the steering panel meets the week after Thanksgiving.

Barton was chairman for one term when the GOP had the majority, from 2004 to 2006, and ranking member for two terms from 2006 to 2010 when the Republicans were in the minority. The GOP rules limit service as the top Republican to three terms, or six years, unless the steering committee grants a waiver.