A Deal For Glenn Nye

So, as we all know, Rep. Glenn Nye hasn't exactly endeared himself to progressives due to his votes against health reform and clean energy/climate legislation last year. That's unfortunate, as Nye is a highly endangered freshman Democrat and will certainly need help from the activist "base." Which is why I found this to be intriguing:

At least nine of the 39 Democrats who voted "nay" when the House passed sweeping overhaul legislation 220-215 in November are now undecided or withholding judgment until they see Obama's final product, according to an Associated Press survey.

[...]

The retiring lawmakers are Reps. Brian Baird of Washington and Bart Gordon and John Tanner of Tennessee. The freshmen are Suzanne Kosmas of Florida, Frank Kratovil of Maryland, Scott Murphy of New York, Glenn Nye of Virginia and Michael McMahon of New York. The ninth is Rick Boucher of Virginia. Several lawmakers' offices did not reply to the AP queries and a handful of others said they would definitely vote "no."

So, here's a deal for Glenn Nye: you change your vote on health reform to "yea," and activists like me will actually give a rat's hindquarters about whether you're reelected or not. Speaking for myself, if Nye switches his vote on health reform, I will switch from "have better things to do in 2010 than waste my time with a conservadem" to "actually say some nice things about Nye and generally make an effort towards his reelection."

Of course, if Nye wants more enthusiastic support from people like me, he's going to also have to rethink his opposition to clean energy and climate legislation. But for now, we'll start with health reform: switch your vote, Glenn, and gain my support; stay at "no" and I'll spend my time working for this candidate and this candidate and this candidate and against this candidate and...well, you get the idea.

Great Move By Glenn Nye

I've certainly been critical of Glenn Nye for his votes on health care reform and clean energy/climate legislation, but credit where credit is due: this is a great move by Nye.

I’ll admit it: I’m floored. Congressman Glenn Nye has signed on as a cosponsor of H.R.3017, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. He joins Virginia Reps. Bobby Scott (3rd), Jim Morna (8th), and Gerry Connolly (11th) as one of now 197 Congressmen who are co-sponsoring this bill.

Like Vivian, I'm "floored" as well. Hopefully, this is the sign of a new, improved Glenn Nye. I urge the rest of Virginia's Congressional delegation - although I have little hope for the Republican members - to cosponsor this legislation as well. Meanwhile, thank you to Glenn Nye.

Glenn Nye: Make Virginia "a world leader in offshore wind development"

I've been critical of Glenn Nye's votes against health care reform and cap and trade, but I strongly agree with Nye on this issue. Thanks to Rep. Nye for taking the lead on jumpstarting offshore wind power for Virginia.

Virginia is blessed with many natural resources - but one of the most important has yet to be tapped - offshore wind energy.

Last Friday, I joined Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, and leaders from across our community to announce the formation of a new coalition aimed at making Virginia a world leader in offshore wind development.

According to recent estimates, a fully-developed offshore wind industry in Hampton Roads could create 10,000 jobs and be worth $80 billion to the region.

As part of this team effort, I have been working to cut through the red tape at the federal level to clear the way for offshore wind investment. In September, I sent a letter to President Obama and the Secretaries of Defense, Transportation, Energy and Homeland Security, asking them to clarify the rules and restrictions for offshore development.

Our national security must always come first, and we must absolutely ensure that any wind farms do not interfere with Naval operations or coastal radar coverage - and I will continue working to find a way to satisfy the training and operational requirements of the Navy while allowing for the development of offshore wind energy.

Energy independence is itself an issue of national security. Our dependence on foreign oil forces us to send billions of hard-earned dollars overseas to unstable foreign regimes instead of investing that money here at home.

Investing in wind energy will create jobs, strengthen our security, and most importantly, help to counter the threat of climate change. This is a goal that we must pursue, and working together, I believe we can make Virginia and Hampton Roads the national leaders in this new and growing sector.

To share your thoughts about alternative and renewable energy, or to find out more, please contact me at 757-326-6201, click here to send me an email, or stop by my next Congress at Your Corner meeting.

It is a privilege to serve you in Congress.

Sincerely,

Glenn Nye
Member of Congress

Wind power is an enormous potential resource, far greater than any serious potential for oil development off Virginia's coast. Which raise the question, of course, why is Bob McDonnell pushing for the latter and not the former? Is he ignorant, ideological, in the oil industry's pocket, or all of the above? I vote for the latter option.