Top Corporate Donor to Barton Is Partner of BP on Deepwater Horizon

[spotbird]

Source: Five thirty eight

Ordinarily, it's not that shocking to see a Republican from Texas defend the petroleum industry. But Rep. Joe Barton's comments to BP CEO Tony Hayward today, in which he described it as a "tragedy" that a "a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown", has obviously touched something of a raw nerve, with Republicans already seeking to distance themselves from the comment while Democrats look for ways to exploit it.

Read more: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2010/06/top-donor-to-barton-is-partner-of-bp-on.html

[LaurenG]

1. There it is.

He has "screwn" himself for the almighty dollar.

[Tx4obama]

2. Barton on TV now saying he's sorry if anyone MISCONSTRUED what he said this morning.

EVERYONE heard EXACTLY what he said!
He's not going to be able to wiggle out of it!

[Tx4obama]

3. Text of Joe Barton's new statement....

From TPM:

Questioning Hayward, Rep. Joe Barton explains his earlier remarks:
"I want the record to be absolutely clear that I think BP is responsible for this accident, should be held responsible, and should in every way do everything possible to make good on the consequences that have resulted from this accident. And if anything I said this morning has been misconstrued in an opposite effect I want to apologize for that misconstruction."

[h9socialist]

4. Whatever else you want say about Mr. Barton . . .

. . . you have to admit, he's very loyal to his benefactors!

[glinda]

5. ... more rope please......

[Ex Lurker]

6. Jon Stewart's gonna have fun with this n/t

[Tx4obama]

8. Yep, I can't wait :) n/t

[eowyn_of_rohan]

7. Priceless!

[JudyM]

9. Shill. Another poster child for campaign finance reform. n/t

[kpete]

10. Top Corporate Donor to Barton Is Partner of BP on Deepwater Horizon

Source: Five Thirty Eight

Top Corporate Donor to Barton Is Partner of BP on Deepwater Horizon
by Nate Silver

Ordinarily, it's not that shocking to see a Republican from Texas defend the petroleum industry. But Rep. Joe Barton's comments to BP CEO Tony Hayward today, in which he described it as a "tragedy" that a "a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown", has obviously touched something of a raw nerve, with Republicans already seeking to distance themselves from the comment while Democrats look for ways to exploit it.

Making matters worse for Barton is the identity of the top contributor to his election campaigns. Since 1989, it has been the company Anadarko Petroleum, from which he's received $56,500 in PAC donations and another $90,000 in individual contributions.



Anadarko has been making a lot of news lately, and none of it is good: they're a 25 percent partner in the Macondo Prospect, which was the site of the Deepwater Horizon explosion that is causing oil to spill into the Gulf of Mexico. Anadarko has also been sent a bill by BP and asked to pay its share of the cleanup costs.

Read more: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2010/06/top-donor-to-barton-is-partner-of-bp-on.html

[marmar]

11. Color me not shocked......

:think:

[Stuart G]

12. And I am shocked too...very very

shocked...Almost as shocked as I was to see the fellow making this statement was a Republican.. :sarcasm:

K and R

[fascisthunter]

13. he's a whore for BP

[burnsei sensei]

14. Tis a pity

he's a whore.

[EFerrari]

15. LOL! This needs to go viral.

:evilgrin:

[liberalla]

16. It only makes sense. Barton used to work for ARCO.

ARCO, Atlantic Richfield Oil and Gas Co. is now owned by BP.
It's all in the family...
...and it sucks.

[Frustratedlady]

17. Are the Repugs more upset because the dividends won't be paid this year?

He surely owns stock in BP.

[Curmudgeoness]

18. Who would have thought it. But it answers many questions

like what the hell is he thinking!