Strange and crude goings on within the GOP ranks as they attack Sen. Chambliss and the Gang of 10 proposals.

In an 8-2-08 post entitled "Obama is listening to the Cracker Squire: Signals Support for Wider Offshore Drilling if Part of Comprehensive Energy Policy Aimed at Lower Gas Prices," I wrote:

With this step behind both [the Obama and McCain] campaigns, I predict it is only a matter of time before both campaigns begin to relax their opposition to drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in northeastern Alaska in the Alaska North Slope region.

Well, Cracker Squire -- and even though you say it's a new day and under such new circumstances you are in favor of drilling in the ANWR -- not so fast.

If you are not familiar with the proposals of the "Gang of 10," you owe it to yourself to become familiar with them. They truly represent major compromise on both sides in major areas, and their substance makes it is understandable why Obama had kind words to say about the proposals and indicated a willingness to compromise his position on drilling.

In an attempt to avoid areas too controversial, the Gang of 10 proposals do not include drilling in the ANWR.

But I really was taken back when I read in the AJC's Political Insider that Georgia Republican Rep. Phil Gingrey, who last week criticized the Gang of 10 energy compromise, has joined a bipartisan effort as one of the more than 100 co-sponsors of a House compromise energy plan that would allow drilling offshore, but not in the ANWR.

The Insider reports that:

Asked about the House compromise, Gingrey defended it as a "giant step forward" in ending offshore drilling bans, even if it doesn’t include ANWR. "I am proud to join Republicans and Democrats alike in advancing this debate," he said.

And how’s that different from the “Gang of Ten” in the Senate? Gingrey’s staff didn’t say — except to cite summaries suggesting the House compromise bill is broader.

Sen. Chambliss was exactly on point when he told Neal Boortz, according to the AJC's Political Insider:

"[T]here are people — and I hear you saying the same thing some other talk shows are saying [meaning Rush Limbaugh] — who rather than finding a solution to a crisis that exists in America, you’d rather have a campaign issue for the election."

I was out of town last weekend and did not get to post the article that got Rush Limbaugh, Neal Boortz and others all worked up, but I was going to post it when I returned Sunday night. By that time the conservative wing of the media which prefers to use this topic as a campaign issue media rather than work toward a solution had already picked up on it, and I did not do a post.

It is found in The Wall Street Journal. It begins:

Politics has its puzzling moments. John McCain and most of the GOP experienced one late last week. That was when five of their own set about dismantling the best issue Republicans have in the upcoming election.

It's taken time, but Sen. McCain and his party have finally found -- in energy -- an issue that's working for them. Riding voter discontent over high gas prices, the GOP has made antidrilling Democrats this summer's headlines.

Their enthusiasm has given conservative candidates a boost in tough races. And Mr. McCain has pressured Barack Obama into an energy debate, where the Democrat has struggled to explain shifting and confused policy proposals.

Still, it was probably too much to assume every Republican would work out that their side was winning this issue. And so, last Friday, in stumbled Sens. Lindsey Graham, John Thune, Saxby Chambliss, Bob Corker and Johnny Isakson -- alongside five Senate Democrats. This "Gang of 10" announced a "sweeping" and "bipartisan" energy plan to break Washington's energy "stalemate." What they did was throw every vulnerable Democrat, and Mr. Obama, a life preserver.

That's because the plan is a Democratic giveaway. New production on offshore federal lands is left to state legislatures, and then in only four coastal states. The regulatory hurdles are huge. And the bill bars drilling within 50 miles of the coast -- putting off limits some of the most productive areas. Alaska's oil-rich Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is still a no-go.

The highlight is instead $84 billion in tax credits, subsidies and federal handouts for alternative fuels and renewables. The Gang of 10 intends to pay for all this in part by raising taxes on . . . oil companies! The Sierra Club couldn't have penned it better. And so the Republican Five has potentially given antidrilling Democrats the political cover they need to neutralize energy through November.

I still predict what I wrote in my 8-3-08 post entitled "The Gang of 10 -- A list of the senators who have proposed a much needed bipartisan energy compromise plan:"

As noted in an earlier post, in a move that could signal a possible softening of Obama's position, his campaign on Friday issued a statement praising the bill but stopped short of an endorsement.

Trying to have it both ways, McCain's campaign immediately accused Obama of flip flopping, while at the same time McCain said he would not support the proposal.

You can take this prediction to the bank. McCain will prove to be the ultimate flip flopper on this issue as he, along with more and more senators, signs onto an attempt to solve our energy crisis.

Again I encourage you to become familiar with the Gang of 10 proposals. They truly represent bipartisan compromises on difficult issues.