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GOP: Dems Buddying Up to Big Business
Irony-proof party employs new strategy to battle climate bill
By Matt Cantor
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Posted May 20, 09 12:13 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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Senate Republicans are turning the tables on Democrats as the GOP battles a bill to fight climate change, Politico reports. A strategy memo says Republicans should paint the opposition as the party of big business, suggesting Dems are cozying up to “Wall Street traders,” “polluters,” and other corporate interests. “Business is not always going to be a good friend of the Republicans,” says a GOP lobbyist.
Republicans cite “blatant rent-seeking” among businesses backing a cap-and-trade system. Democrats say they’re not too concerned. “The Party of ExxonMobil and Peabody coal cannot credibly convince the American public that they are the champions of small businesses and consumers,” said a Democratic aide. Meanwhile, the GOP is planning a slew of amendments to the bill, slowing its passage.