Get That Spine!

Thank you, Senators:

Senate Democrats are calling the White House's bluff on a threatened veto of an energy bill by refusing to take out language that would remove tax breaks for big oil and gas companies.

The Senate's version of the bill, which modifies energy legislation passed last week by the U.S. House of Representatives, is scheduled to be voted on Thursday. It would repeal about $13 billion in tax breaks for mostly big oil companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp.

The White House has said the bill unfairly targets the oil industry and that President George W. Bush would veto the legislation in its current form.

Bush isn't bluffing - he will veto the bill because it's not exactly what he wants. But it's better for Congress to put a bill in front of him that is supported by a majority of not only Congresscritters but also Americans. Even if the result is the same as it would be if Congress just gave up and didn't put a bill in front of him that he wouldn't sign, now when he vetoes it, the blame will rest squarely on Bush's shoulders and nobody else's. We like it when our leaders have spines and go down fighting, not when they roll over and play dead.

Kudos to Senator Reid on this one.