What started as an impromptu protest of Democratic strong-arm tactics shutting down the House floor has turned into PR gold for Republicans, who are canceling ribbon-cuttings, fundraisers and other events in their districts to take part in the protests despite an absence of television cameras or microphones, dim lighting and an audience of tourists.
“The American people are with us,” said Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), one of the organizers of the protest that has attracted 87 Members so far. “They are with House Republicans who want to see the Congress come back to work and give the bipartisan majority of this House ... a simple vote on the floor.”
The Although the chamber lights are dimmed, the microphones muted and the cameras shuttered, the Republicans say their message is spreading and that their populist-styled "talk-a-thons" are resonating with voters at home.
"I just returned from the farm fields of Indiana, and I can say with conviction the American people are with us," said Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana Republican.
And yesterday, the A new national poll shows broad public support for government action in the face of $4-a-gallon gas and other energy concerns, giving Republicans a rare opening to go on the offensive against congressional Democrats and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).
Nearly two-thirds of Americans now put a priority on "finding new sources of energy" over improving conservation -- a significant shift since 2001 -- and majorities support all of the five potential federal initiatives tested in a new ABC News poll.
There is overwhelming backing for stricter fuel efficiency standards, as large majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents alike line up behind the idea. There is also widespread support across party lines for a more controversial proposal in the battle over energy policy: offshore oil drilling.
Overall, 63 percent want the federal government to lift its embargo on new drilling in U.S. coastal waters. Nearly eight in 10 Republicans and seven in 10 independents back the idea, as do just over half of Democrats in the poll conducted in partnership with Stanford University and Planet Green.
