Rep. Fred Upton, the favorite in a four-way race to lead the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee in the next Congress, has stepped up his lobbying for the post, urging current and new Republican colleagues to support his bid.

The Michigan Republican has also gained backing from two GOP stalwarts as he has defended his conservative credentials against some critics in his party who say he is too moderate.

In a letter sent yesterday to Republicans, Upton vowed to pursue a "conservative agenda that focuses on cutting spending, removing the regulatory burden, restoring freedom, keeping government accountable through rigorous oversight, and jobs." He is also touting his time as a budget aide for the late President Reagan.

"I have been and will always be one of the most loyal members of the team," Upton wrote. "It is not about any of us as individuals. It is about all of us together working as a cohesive unit to advance our ideals and our conservative agenda and lay the groundwork for victory in 2012."

Upton is favored to earn the gavel on the committee. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), the current ranking member, wants to move into the chairman's seat, but GOP term limits will likely prohibit him from doing so. Reps. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) are also contenders.

But Upton has faced opposition from certain corners for being too moderate. Critics in Congress have circulated an unsigned document that picks apart his voting record. And FOX News commentator Glenn Beck and radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh have latched onto some of those votes to blast Upton's conservative credentials. Limbaugh specifically ridiculed Upton for supporting a measure that would increase the use of energy-efficient light bulbs.

But Upton's campaign for the gavel has gotten a boost this week as two GOP heavyweights have come to his defense. Fred Barnes, editor of The Weekly Standard, and Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, have each spoken out in favor of Upton.

"I know Upton quite well. He's not as conservative as I am. But he is especially well suited to be chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee," Barnes wrote in a blog post today. "On the issues the committee will take up, he is conservative. Republicans shouldn't let a silly light bulb bill keep him from becoming chairman."

Barnes touted Upton's proposed agenda as reason to support his chairmanship bid. "It's anything but what a RINO would propose," Barnes wrote, citing criticism by some conservatives that Upton is a "Republican in name only."

Upton touted his priorities in his letter yesterday to Republicans, saying he would work to repeal the sweeping health care reform bill that passed this year; conduct rigorous oversight of programs, budgets and agencies within the committee's jurisdiction; cut spending; and ensure no federal funds go toward abortion.

Barnes praised Upton's vote against the cap-and-trade climate bill and his support for more drilling in Alaska and the offshore Atlantic and more mining of Canadian oil sands and U.S. oil shales.

"Upton is for abolishing the unnecessary House Select Committee on Climate Change established by [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi [D-Calif.]," Barnes wrote. "He's for expanding the use of nuclear power. He's obviously not a tree hugger. And by the way, he's a free trader."

"The truth is that Upton is not a RINO or even close to being one. He's not a movement conservative either. He voted for raising the minimum wage and the TARP bailout," Barnes added. "But on spending, taxes, and energy issues he is on the same page as conservatives. And it's these issues that are front and center today."

Norquist has not endorsed Upton in his bid for the committee chairmanship, but he co-authored an editorial with Upton in Politico yesterday calling on Congress to cut as much federal spending as possible, including freezes for programs that support energy efficiency retrofits in homes and efficiency labeling for appliances (Greenwire, Nov. 15).

Click here to read Upton's letter.

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=25148&docId=l:1304475191&isRss=true