BP Apologist Barton Gets Big Oil All Star Card on Eve of Congressional Game

BP apologist and baseball aficionado Rep. Joe Barton was named a “Big Oil All Star” today by the National Wildlife Federation, on the eve of the annual Congressional baseball game where the Texas congressman serves as manager of the Republican team.  (“The Hill” newspaper’s blog reported on it exclusively this afternoon.)

It wasn’t just Barton’s verbal gaffe where he famously apologized to BP in a recent House hearing that earned him the dubious honor. NWF has uncovered a little known legislative scorecard and voter guide from the American Petroleum Institute, revealing a career API perfect score of 100 percent.

“Joe Barton is a symbol and hero to team Big Oil and has been lavishly rewarded by the industry,” said Adam Kolton, senior director of congressional affairs for NWF. “With a Gulf oil gusher and a global carbon gusher, Republicans might consider putting Mr. Barton on the bench, not rewarding him with a chairmanship.”

Lucky fans arriving at the stadium will get a limited-edition Joe Barton “Big Oil All Star” baseball card commemorating some of his dubious career milestones including:

• Recipient of $264,990 from the oil and gas industry political contributions in 2008, $240,400 in 2006, $268,00 in 2004, and $163,398 in 2002.
• A perfect voting record on API’s scorecard.
• Immortalizing his bona-fides as a global warming denier, quoting his response to 2009 House passed climate legislation where he said “you can’t regulate God.”

The 49th annual Congressional Baseball Game takes place June 29 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. Game time is 7 p.m.