GO(B)P forces Barton to retract his apology to BP – But what about the Republican Study Committee?

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) created a political furor Thursday by apologizing to BP chief executive Tony Hayward at a hearing on the Gulf oil spill for what the Texas Republican called a White House "shakedown" that created a $20 billion escrow fund. Texas Rep. Barton decries 'shakedown,' then retracts remark:

In a highly unusual joint statement, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia and Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence of Indiana said, "Congressman Barton's statements this morning were wrong. BP itself has acknowledged that responsibility for the economic damages lies with them and has offered an initial pledge of $20 billion for that purpose."

Many Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Jeff Miller of Florida, who represents Pensacola, where oil from the spill has washed ashore, called for Barton to be stripped of his powerful committee position.

"Mr. Barton's remarks are out of touch with this tragedy, and I feel his comments call into question his judgment and ability to serve in a leadership position on the Energy and Commerce Committee," Miller said.

Boehner and Cantor met with Barton about his remarks and the negative image they created for Republicans.

Rep. Barton then issued the classic "non-apology" apology when he returned to the committee hearing, apologizing only if people had "misconstrued" his remarks. Way to stay classy, Joe.

That further enraged Republican leaders who demanded, and got, his written retraction and full apology.

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Barton issued a statement late Thursday afternoon retracting the apology he made in the morning at an Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing – a statement that mobilized Republicans as well as Democrats, including Vice President Joe Biden.

"I apologize for using the term 'shakedown' with regard to yesterday's actions at the White House in my opening statement this morning," said Barton, "and I retract my apology to BP."

Although few Republicans rushed to his defense, Barton was not alone in his criticism of Obama, reflecting a split between the party mainstream and an increasingly confrontational wing of the GOP. Barton remark draws a barrage of criticism:

On Wednesday, the Republican Study Committee, a conservative policy group in the House, called the agreement with BP "a Chicago-style political shakedown." Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, a reliably provocative favorite of the "tea party" movement, called the escrow account "a redistribution-of-wealth fund."

The DNC has issued a press release regarding the Republican Study Committee. See David Safier's post on the press release that follows.

Note: According to opensecrets.org, a nonpartisan website that monitors Federal Election Commission data, Barton's top corporate contributors are from the oil and gas industry, with individuals and political action committees giving him a total of $1.49 million back to 1989.

H/T (Image by Karen Wehrstein).