Kline, Bachmann signed onto BP “shakedown” lingo

MnIndy photo composite

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann — like Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) — has taken plenty of heat for language perceived as supportive of BP, the company behind the colossal oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Bachmann got a surprise grilling from Fox’s Bill O’Reilly for calling the Obama administration’s negotiation for a $20 billion victims fund “extortion.” Barton, who most prominently called the fund a “shakedown,” was shamed into retracting his public apology to BP. But Second District Rep. John Kline has largely dodged criticism for endorsing similar language. Kline and Bachmann are both members of the Republican Study Committee, a group that officially has stated the escrow fund is the result of Obama’s “brand of Chicago-style shakedown politics.”

The RSC statement of last Wednesday seems to have generated little attention in Minnesota, meriting a reference in a Bemidji Pioneer editorial Friday, but few other mentions. But that opinion packed a punch. Citing the RSC opinion on the escrow fund, the editorial board wrote:

There can be no other reason for the opposition than the fact that President Obama supports it.

It’s a sad case when politics colors all your decisions. BP caused the oil spill, and is responsible for stopping it and cleaning up its mess. It’s only fair that it pay for the lost business that accrues from the company’s error of misfortune.

Who’s the greedier? BP or congressional Republicans?

The statement, issued by RSC chair Rep. Tom Price, clearly states BP should be held accountable for the “tragedy” and cleanup, then says that “BP has already begun paying claims.” (On Friday, the House Judiciary Committee reported that BP had paid less than 12 percent of outstanding claims to victims of the spill; it notes that BP has “not paid a single dollar to the individuals or businesses harmed by the [April 20] explosion and the oil spill.”)

Price’s statement continued:

“BP’s reported willingness to go along with the White House’s new fund suggests that the Obama Administration is hard at work exerting its brand of Chicago-style shakedown politics.  These actions are emblematic of a politicization of our economy that has been borne out of this Administration’s drive for greater power and control.  It is the same mentality that believes an economic crisis or an environmental disaster is the best opportunity to pursue a failed liberal agenda.  The American people know much better.”

Bachmann and Kline are among 114 members of the RSC.

Over the weekend, Bachmann was grilled by Fox’s Bill O’Reilly for calling Obama’s securing of victim-relief funds “extortion” and a “shakedown.” “I’m not agreeing with that,” he said of the terminology before stating that “Obama did absolutely the right thing” in negotiating for the funds.

“I’d go in there with a machine gun if I were president and say, ‘Hey, you put that money in here or you’re not getting out of the room,” O’Reilly added. “I think this is the best thing Obama did in the entire mess, getting the $20 billion.”

Kline, as City Pages notes, is Minnesota’s top recipient of campaign contributions from BP, taking in nearly $130,000. Bachmann got the second-largest take from BP, at more than $70,000.

Bachmann will face off with DFL state Sen. Tarryl Clark this fall, while Kline will be challenged by Democrat Dan Powers.