I can't wait for someone to ask Newt where the oil in Alaska came from.

The climate change debate has become too politicized. The democrats roll out al Gore, the Republicans roll out Newt Gingrich. I would prefer if we heard more from non-partisan observers like George Will.

Maybe Joe Barton will ask Gore how all the ice found its way to Antarctica.

I think the above is the best fake Al post in months.

Good thing that they are not consulting with leading government or university climatologists. That wouldn't make any sense.

It's disheartening to see Congress follow cable TV's path of inviting partisans to argue instead of experts to educate. I should add, however, that Al Gore is about as close as you can get to a climate scientist without being an actual scientist. The depth and duration of his research is truly impressive.

Well at least the Rethugs aren't bringing in "Joe the Plumber". But in reality Newt isn't much better.

this dog and pony show is a mockery of democracy, intelligence, and honesty (i know, i know, it's the congress, what's my point?)

if gore is as earnest and knowledgeable as i think he is, maybe he should just rip newt's heart out and eat it raw and still palpitating in front of the committee, while urging them to "pass the legislation." might even get some republican votes.

"The climate change debate has become too politicized. The democrats roll out al Gore, the Republicans roll out Newt Gingrich.

Sigh.... your right, but it was always going to be politicized anyway. Just look at the graph Steve linked on 4-23's Mini-Report. Republicans have been drilling (pun intended)into their base, the notion this is all just made up. And it has been incredibly effective. After a decade of record heat, record ice melting, increased hurricane activity, 31% more Republican dittoheads than in 1998 now believe global warming is an exaggeration?.....Yikes!

Perhaps Gore shouldn't attend because of his high profile, but he's uniquely knowledgeable in that he spends so much time talking with scientists and consolidating their research into layman's terms. I don't see him on MSNBC every night parroting DNC talking points about handshakes, interrogation techniques, budget proposals, etc.

What's Newt by comparison? A wife cheating, absurdly hypocritical, political hatchetman, who spouts about everything from Depression Era economics to global nuclear proliferation like he's an expert in all of it.

I just hope that the dem part of the committee gets some technical help in deciding which questions to ask.

Because if there were any justice in the world (ha ha), having Gingrich testify would be like a 3rd grader in a Ph.D. thesis defence for quantum chemistry.

because if there's anybody who knows a lot about hot air, it's newt gingrich!

Well, heck, if he's half as good a professor of environmental studies as he is of history, he'll solve all the world's problems!

Two WORTHLESS GAS BAGS !!

Hey Al !!
Where are all those HIGH PAYING JOBS that NAFTA was going to bring us ?

You said NAFTA wouldn't DESTROY American manufacturing
How'd THAT turn out ??

For the life of me, I don't understand Lying Al's high reputation with progressives

Hopefully the Democrats on the committee will closely question Gingrich and give him the full opportunity to make himself the public moron he is. In other words, some follow-up questions please!!

I thought Newt wrote "How to catch a wife and keep her happy on $5 a day". Are you sure the title of one of his books wasn't "Contract on the Earth"?

When was he a professor of environmental studies and where? It is not on his resume on his own web page. His doctorate is in history and that is what he taught at West Georgia.

MSierra

America DID get high paying jobs.

H1-B visas allowed American corporations to give those jobs to foreign workers rather than retraining us for a 21st century economy.

NAFTA could have worked, but almighty capitalism cares nothing for borders or patriotism.

Losuing in 2000 redeemed Al Gore's soul. Gore 2009 is NOT the same Gore we were offered in 2000. Al Gore, candidate, was an insufferable tool. Al Gore, activist, is a personable estimable ally.

as a leading cause of global warming, newt is uniquely qualifed to testify on the subject. he is, after all, full of hot air...

MSierra, SF wrote: "I don't understand Lying Al's high reputation with progressives"

Al Gore's reputation with progressives, and Newt Gingrich's reputation with conservatives, are both utterly irrelevant to the facts about anthropogenic global warming.

As it happens, Al Gore is telling the truth about global warming, and Newt Gingrich is lying about it.

That's just how it is.

Carbon dioxide doesn't care whether you are a "liberal" or a "conservative".

Anyone who thinks climate science is an "ideological" issue is an idiot.