BUSH'S POLITICAL CAPITAL....

seems to be running a little low these days. So far, he has lost on Social Security and Stem Cell Research and now it looks like he will lose on ANWR oil drilling.

GOP members oppose Arctic oil in budget
By H. JOSEF HEBERT Associated Press Writer
Aug 10, 11:06 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two dozen House Republicans, including three committee chairmen, have asked Speaker Dennis Hastert not to use a congressional budget procedure to clear the way for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
They said in a letter to Hastert, R-Ill., that the budget process "is an inappropriate venue to be debating this important environmental issue" and warned that it would further complicate already difficult budget issues.
"We believe the debate on opening this unique land to oil and gas exploration should be done outside the budget process," said the group led by Rep. Jeb Bradley, R-N.H., in an Aug. 4 letter made public Wednesday.
Among those signing the letter were three committee chairmen: Science Chairman Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y.; Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., and Government Reform Chairman Thomas Davis, R-Va.