I watched most of the hearing on the Solyndra, and in my mind, the hearing was a bust. A few choice words to posture and to look good, but a sinking feeling that this Committee is not up to the job. I will pick out two Republicans that are more than happy to give Chu a pass. Hot Air has a more reasoned analysis of the hearing. Wander there for a bit of a different take.
Every now and then, a Congressman gets on a blogger’s nerve and one feels compelled to follow him as he walks down the leftard path. Supposedly a Republican, I could never conceive that Boehner would appoint Upton to Chair the Energy and Commerce Committee. This is the man that brought us the Light Bulb ban. Now the new wrinkle? Here are a couple of questions and comments:
It is extremely unfortunate what has happened to Solyndra,” Chu replied, adding, “Was there incompetence? Was there any undue influence? I’d have to say no.”
“So no apology?” Upton followed up. Is that what we are asking for? An apology?
“It’s extremely unfortunate what has happened to Solyndra. You and I both feel the same,” Chu said, adding that the price drops for solar panels caught DOE and others off guard. “This company and several others got caught in a very, very bad tsunami,” he said.
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) said he believes the Obama administration may be trying to throw Chu under the bus.
“I do think you’re a man of integrity. I think you’re trying to do your job as best that as you can. I also happen to believe that it’s possible you’re being set up to be the fall guy,” Barton said.
To back up his assertion, Barton cited an email released last week from Dan Carol, the research director of the 2008 Obama campaign, to White House counselor Pete Rouse, suggesting a DOE shakeup that included removing Chu. Read more at Politico and for a reminder of Fred, I include the following earlier posts:
The Ligntbulb Ban- One great reason Fred Upton should never lead a House Committee and
GOP picks Fred Upton for Super Congress- we are screwed
- Upton was one of only 38 House Republicans to support the Democrats’ Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 that removed millions of acres of federal lands from oil and gas leasing, thus driving up energy costs for consumers.
- Upton was one of only 20 Republicans to vote against an amendment that would have reduced the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 funding to 2008 levels.
- Upton teamed up with Democrat Jane Harman to pass an invasive energy bill which mandates that only politically-favored “environmentally-friendly” light bulbs be used. That’s right, this guy thinks the Constitution gives him the power to tell you which light bulb you can use.
BUNKERVILLE | God, Guns and Guts Comrades! 