House Republicans have been staging a “sit in” of Congress since Aug. 1 when Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi abruptly ended debate on energy solutions and moved-out on a five-week vacation (which appears was for Pelosi’s own benefit).

While Congress waits to act, more and more Virginians are voicing their support for off-shore drilling.

Both Stephen Farnsworth and Stuart Rothenberg, political commentators, chimed in on a report today by Tyler Whitley in RTD today, attesting that Eric Cantor is not ready to be VP because he has not served long enough.

In a conference call today, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA07), under consideration to be McCain’s vice presidential pick, laid out the case as to why Obama’s newly released energy plan is not in the best interests of the country:

Rep. Eric Cantor: “I believe that what we will see today is Barack Obama attempting to paint a picture of an energy plan that frankly is not based on developing more American energy supply. I believe that anyone who says that we can achieve energy independence in this country without that, without more nuclear power, without more offshore drilling, without more clean coal, doesn’t have the experience to understand the problem we are faced with or isn’t being straightforward to the American people.”

Click to listen to the call.

Here is Obama’s energy plan.

A recent Politico article has confirmed that presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain’s vice presidential search team has asked for and received the records of Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA07).

This prompted some activity in the Virginia blogosphere:

DJ said: “This is the equivalent of meeting the parents”

Jane wrote: “Please, oh please, let’s have a McCain-Cantor / Obama-Kaine fight in November.”

Write Side asks: “Could it be that, after all the hoopla about Tim Kaine, that Eric Cantor is the one who ends up on a national ticket?”

And Shaun makes the case for Cantor:

Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less? All Eric Cantor folks. $10 million? That’s more than either Virginia Senate candidate has been able to raise thus far (and Cantor does it in one shot).

Better still, Cantor will bring to the light of day Obama’s terrible record on Israel and terrorism, which is a very real conversation this nation should be having.

My own thoughts echo the above, with the additional point that Cantor not only has the ability to raise a ton of money, but will also bring youth, energy, and enthusiasm to the McCain campaign. You can see that energy and enthusiasm on full display when he recently outlined the Republican energy position on Power Line in a clear and concise manner. Not only is the post full of excellent policy positions and strong motivational language — but it’s on the blogosphere. McCain claims he doesn’t know how to use the computer.

With Governor Tim Kaine as a potential VP candidate for the Democrats, McCain would be well-served to have Cantor on his team.

Here’s our podcast with Cantor at the Virginia Republican Convention. At about the 2:00 mark, I ask Rep. Cantor about running as a team with Sen. McCain:

 

 Rep. Eric Cantor at the RPV Convention [4:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (479)

A few weeks back, Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-VA04) proposed a bold new initiative to reshape the energy discussion with his “New Manhattan Project.” The visionary plan seeks to incentivize innovation when it comes to increasing our energy independence.

The plan has all the makings of applying traditional American know-how and free-market principles to an energy debate that often has lacked both.

Eric Cantor v. Mitt Romney in a vice president poll on AOL.

Vote Cantor. Vote now.

In case you haven’t heard, Bob Novak is reporting that McCain is likely to make his VP choice this week.

While Democrats continue to offer very little in the way of solutions to our energy concerns, unless you count RAISING the price of oil (such as removing subsidies for energy companies, increasing the gas tax, etc.), some responsible legislators, including Virginia’s own State Sen. Frank Wagner and U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, are actually trying to move the debate in a direction that helps America preserve its energy security.

Yesterday, buried in the live-blog, I interviewed Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA07). Here is the podcast in a separate post in case you missed it. Also be sure to listen to our podcast with U.S. Senate nominee, former Gov. Jim Gilmore.

Hear more great podcasts from Bearing Drift by using this feed.

 

 Rep. Eric Cantor - RPV Convention [4:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (479)

Today, Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA02) issued two releases on touting her measure to close the pay-gap between civilians and the military by 2013 and her participation in the “American Families Agenda” of the House Republican Caucus.