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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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GOP Blocks Obama Interior Dep't Pick

Rejection of top deputy marks first Republican KO of nominee

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(AP) – Republicans have blocked President Obama's pick for the No. 2 job at the Interior Department because of a flap over oil leases in Utah. In a 57-39 Senate vote, Democrats fell short of the 60 votes they would have needed to advance the nominee past GOP obstacles. It's the first time Republicans have blocked an Obama nominee.

David Hayes is an environmental lawyer picked by Obama to serve as Interior's deputy secretary, the same post he held during the last 3 years of the Clinton administration. Sen. Bob Bennett led Republican opposition to Hayes' nomination after Interior Secretary Ken Salazar canceled oil and gas leases in Bennett's home state of Utah.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar speaks to reporters at the Windpower 2009 conference and exhibition on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, in Chicago.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar speaks to reporters at the Windpower 2009 conference and exhibition on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, in Chicago.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
With the Washington Monument looming at left, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar talks with a park employee following a news conference at the Interior Department.
With the Washington Monument looming at left, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar talks with a park employee following a news conference at the Interior Department.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
President Barack Obama changes places with Vice President Joe Biden to make remarks Tuesday, May 12, 2009.
President Barack Obama changes places with Vice President Joe Biden to make remarks Tuesday, May 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
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Adapt-Overcome
May 13, 09 11:43 AM CDT
Of course they did, it involves oil and gas and making money for their friends. The GOP doesn't care about they you and me's of America, we don't have enough money or power for them. By the way, did anyone notice that the minute they talked about the economy improving a bit....the greedy oil companies raised the price of gas. In Texas it went from 1.85 to 1.92 over night and two days later it went to 1.97, then this morning it was 2.19. All in the span of a week. Reply
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northeast
May 13, 09 3:04 PM CDT
If you're getting THIS MAD over a two-paragraph blurb, I suggest you read the entire story.
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RobN
May 13, 09 12:26 PM CDT
The republicans didn't block anybody; this guy didn't get through because the dems couldn't keep their 60 vote block intact. That isn't the republican's responsibility; it's Harry Reid's. Reply
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foodchain11
May 13, 09 1:18 PM CDT
Oh Rob, 60 votes doesn't have anything to do with right or wrong. Reply
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RobN
May 13, 09 5:15 PM CDT
What's this statement supposed to mean? The article gives credit/blame to the Reps for blocking this guy. They can't block anything and I was simply pointing that out.
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