Item: Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME) changes his mind and now wants a special session to deal with energy. More evidence that the DSCC is letting its candidates be verrry flexible about energy policy.
Item: Sen. John McCain opposes the so-called "Gang of 10" bipartisan compromise that would expand some drilling and, at the same, get rid of a tax break that could cost oil companies up to $13 billion.
In McCain's mind, the removal of the tax provision -- a manufacturing tax credit -- is tantamount to a tax hike, in much the same way that McCain's opposition to letting the Bush tax cut expire hinges on the argument that rates will rise.
A special session is unlikely, but the compromise will survive it.
McCain has a habit of supporting grand bargains, but the GOP is trying to make it easier for him by urging an up or down vote on lifting the oil drilling moratorium alone. So is McCain saying no, in essence, to a real compromise because he's constrained by his tax pledge? Isn't McCain the one who's been demanding Congressional action on energy?
And what happens if McCain is elected president and Democrats have expanded majorities in Congress? Arguably, the compromise RIGHT NOW is the best compromise Republicans could hope for...
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