Jackson Jambalaya

Friday, the House Republicans started a protest after Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent the House on a five week vacation without allowing a vote on offshore drilling, which would probably pass.
"At the stroke of 5:00 on Friday afternoon, House Republicans ended their half-day protest on the darkened chamber floor with a round of “God Bless America.”
That capped a wild day in the chamber, where Republicans, aides and tourists broke all manner of House protocols to protest the Democrats' decision to leave Washington for the five-week August recess without voting on a measure to open new land to domestic oil and gas exploration.
The uproar began shortly before noon, after members cast their votes along party lines on the question of whether or not to adjourn for the day..."
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12252.html

The protest continues today as Politico reports "Continuing with their guerilla tactics from last week, House Republicans will be back on the floor Monday to talk gas prices, even though Congress is in recess, and they may stay there all week..." http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0808/House_Republicans_to_go_back_on_the_floor_Monday_to_talk_gas_prices.html

Before Mississippi Republicans get too caught up in the heat of the battle as it rages in Washington, perhaps they should ask where their Congressman is. While Congressman Pickering was there Friday, a phone call to his office confirmed that he flew back home and will not be in Washington helping other conservatives in their fight to lower energy prices.

It's not surprising, as the Congresman said being in the House was no fun anymore after the 2006 elections when he announced he was not running for re-election. Hopefully Gregg Harper will show some more fire in the belly and lust for combat when it is needed on Capitol Hill. It's a shame the Third District can't be represented as well by its new Representative as is the First District.

Note: Politico also reports
"In an urgent memo sent to GOP Members and staff Saturday (“A Call to Action on American Energy”), Republican Leader John Boehner (R-) and Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) hailed Friday’s action, and encouraged House Republicans to return to the Capitol beginning Monday morning to help keep the historic effort going," said a press release just released by Minority Leader Boehner's office....
Update - Neither Boehner nor Blunt are expected to be in attendance at Monday's talkfest, and its unclear if they will show up at any point during the week, according to GOP leadership aides.."

This is a perfect example of how screwed up the Republican leadership is, if it can be called that. Leaders LEAD. By example. NOT memos. Boehner and Blunt are REMF's. Perfumed Princes sending everyone else to take the Hill while they avoid the combat. Even when the Republicans do something right the leaders figure out a way to screw it up as they are not real leaders. If the Republicans have any sense after the elections, they will dump these clowns and elect Pence and Shadegg to the top positions. Conservatives need leaders, not REMF's.