CAPITOL HILL (CNN) - The lines between celebrity and politician blurred into a haze Thursday at a Republican news conference, as one congressman began pushing Paris Hilton's “plan” on energy.
"Let's bring up the Paris Hilton plan," goaded Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas.
Burgess and his fellow Republicans are in day five energy speeches on the House floor, despite the fact that the chamber is closed for August recess. They're trying to pressure House Speaker Nancy Pelosi into holding a vote on offshore oil drilling.
As they plan for another week of House protest, those Republicans have found an unlikely ally and publicity magnet in Hilton. The model and actress launched a parody campaign commercial earlier this week, suggesting a hybrid of energy plans from presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain
"We can do limited offshore drilling, with strict environmental oversight," the heiress suggested in an animal print bathing suit, "while creating tax incentives to get Detroit making hybrid and electric cars."
"Even Paris Hilton had an energy plan that she's talking about," said Burgess, seizing a chance to make Democrats look lackluster on the issue.
The Texas congressman tried to put Hilton in the Republican camp, claiming her words mirrored current GOP legislation known as the "No More Excuses Energy Act". But, while that proposal does allow offshore drilling, a congressional summary shows it does not contain tax credits to encourage new automobile technology.
And that keeps Hilton, strangely, in the centrist chair on energy. A centrist, poolside lounge chair
From CNN Politics
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I see McCain has been a bit quiet since the Paris smack-down! Where's all or your humor and fun-poking now McMickey? Where's that dumbfounded smirk Mr. Wrinkly, old guy?
This Just In McCan't: Leave comedy to the comedians, you ARE NOT funny, you look down right stupid! Why don't you take your own advice and GET BACK TO WORK!
Can someone asked Mr McCain, what does he mean by an "economic surge" we need him to elaborate what he meant by that comment.
Paris Hilton should run as an Independent candidate.
She makes more sense than the "Yes we can" and the "All of the above" Camps who want to adjust your tire pressures and drill here,
drill now..
This is actually the Obama plan
That is not just the Paris plan. That is what 70% of America has been saying for weeks now. The sad part is that no one listened until a celebrity said it. The Idea of drill for short term help and develop alternative renewable energy for long term stability has been McCain's plan from day one, just look at his web site. It has also been presented to Pelosi many times but she will not let it come to a vote. Hell even Obama has come to show some support for it. I am not a Paris fan at all. In fact I think people like her are the reason that we see record teen pregnancy rates every year in this country. But I have to say she has hit the nail on the head this time. The saddest thing is Paris is often considered to be an air head but it seems that she has more brain power than some of our congress men and women.
CLINTON //HILTON 08
YEA...BABY..
We're already paying $4 a gallon for Bush/McCain's energy plan.
Republicans adopting Paris Hilton's plan? Sounds about what I'd expect from them. These are the people that invited Stephen Colbert to give a speech at a function which was honoring President Bush, because they didn't realize that Stephen Colbert's praise of Bush was sarcasm.
Why am I spending my tax dollars to pay these fools?
Congress should listen to Paris Hilton. Her "energy plan" makes more sense than any thing that has come out of Congress in a long time!
Sounds similar to what Obama talked about and shows the Republicans will follow the real leaders to a degree as long as it doesn't hurt their corporate sponsors. Still have to stay in Iraq for the big oil companies though and there isn't anyway around it for McCain and his cronies.
A tax incentive vs a tax deterrent. The main difference between the Republicans and the Democrats. Republicans want to encourage you and Democrats want to scold you.
Maybe the congressman should consider the source of his inspiration. Just because it appears celebrities and psychics are the advisors to our officials, doesn't mean he has to go pulbic with it so the whole world know that these people don;t have a clue what they are doing.
WOW..........no one thought about this before Paris???
America, we are in deep SH............................
Our Congress is dumber than Paris!!!!
Next, they will be taking family values from the Simpsons and Family Guy, and political morals from South Park!!!
Paris for President!!!
<<< Keeping score
McCain campaign = 0
Paris H campagin = 2
Paris Hilton has a better energy plan than McSame's, but better than Obama's though.
The GOP chasing Paris Hilton around is hilarious!
Are these guys so bankrupt of ideas that they think a one or two sentence "plan" that says combine Obama's with some limited drilling is some blockbuster concept.
The thing is they just need to admit that Obama has a comprehensive plan and that they would like to add some drilling to it but they'd rather give Paris the credit. That's fine, it says that even Hilton knows more about what's going on than McCain who does not speak for McCain.
HERE THEY GO AGAIN RIDING SOMEONES COAT TAIL TO MAKE NEWS. REPUBLICANS= STUPID.
VOTE OBAMA......08
Paris Hilton is much smarter then all the GOP combined. This idiots have been running this country for 8 years. The took over form democrats in 1992 America at best, Now we are in deep sh*it, and they want to run this country for another 4 years keep dreaming idiots.
She also wants to paint the White House pink.
Is that up for debate too?
Republicans are sad. the plan Paris talked about was more similar to Obama's plan.
McCain and the Republicans are running the most pathetic campaign and the media is encouraging them.
Now McCain is saying he is sorry for the negative campaign after he said he was "proud" of the negative ads which he viewed as "fun" and "funny".
When is CNN going to give the same scrutiny to McCain as they do Obama???
Ok, let's drill. Let's start on the 70 million plus acres already leased. Until ALL is being used, don't ask for more.
Can't drill on it? Trade ALL of the unused for ONLY what you will actually drill on. If you aren't going to IMMEDIATELY drill, then quit with the 'It's an election year and we will not work unless we get our way".
Drilling is not the answer, but even if it is, then drill on EVERYTHING you currently have before asking for more. You can only have what you are able to work on. No second helping until you finish your first serving.
Giving them more land is only a ploy to get all the available land into their hands and secure any future competition for the resources. It's a way to keep us citizens bent over the oil barrel as they plunder our booty!
PUMA......
Well, yeah, our Congress is dumber than Paris.
But a compromise is what Obama has been talking about. However, the other side has harped on bringing offshore drilling to the table so that they can make their friends in Big Oil happy.