The Tweet Beat: The Best Congressional Tweets of the Week

This week: Newt Gingrich and Al Gore return to Congress to talk about climate change, but everyone’s too busy tweeting about it to get anything done. Pete Hoekstra learns about the fickle nature of journalism, John Culberson lays out his financial crisis survival plan, John McCain is indignant about something or other (not, unfortunately, misplaced apostrophes), Chuck Grassley isn’t afraid of pork as long as it’s not in the budget, and everybody gets sidetracked by the news of Arlen Specter’s defection. And most of them can spell “filibuster.” In other news, seems like someone has a crush…

newtgingrich: I just learned officially that I will follow al gore tomorrow in a an energy and commerce hearing on a job killing tax increasing bill
Newt Gingrich.

newtgingrich: I am now reading the incomplete draft of the energy bill. It is amazing.tomorrow will be very interesting because it is a very bad bill
Newt Gingrich.

michaelcburgess: Al Gore and Newt Gingrich will be in our committee today.
Rep. Michael Burgess, Texas.

michaelcburgess: But, alas. Al Gore is late.
Rep. Michael Burgess, Texas.

algore: On CapHill to testify with John Warner in front of @MarkeyMemo subcommittee
Al Gore.

RepRadanovich: Today I told Al Gore that he is going to bankrupt America with cap and trade http://tinyurl.com/d94p4s
Rep. George Radanovich, California.

newtgingrich: Municipalities and counties can capture what would otherwise be escaping methane and either sell it or power their own vehicles a win-win
Newt Gingrich.

michaelcburgess: Evening flight back to Texas last night. Not much time to recover from Al Gore and Newt.
Rep. Michael Burgess, Texas.

repjohnbarrow: Heading down to Vidalia for the Onion Festival 
Rep. John Barrow, Georgia.

DarrellIssa: Made the NYT magazine on the gustatory achievements of Belgium.
Rep. Darrell Issa, California.

reppaulryan: “Ryan shines as GOP seeks vision” – http://www.jsonline.com/new…
Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin.

jaredpolis: en route to Sunny Acres in Thornton (classic name for a retirement cntr!) and then a veteran’s event
Rep. Jared Polis, Colorado.

petehoekstra: On Geraldo tonight around 1015 pm. Fox News Channel. Don’t remember doing his show before. Should be interesting.
Rep. Pete Hoekstra, Michigan.

petehoekstra: Geraldo cancelled. Not on tonight.
Rep. Pete Hoekstra, Michigan.

johnculberson: Tonight I have to pay bills & eliminate credit card debt w my income tax refund & prepare to refinance our house before int rates skyrocket
Rep. John Culberson, Texas.

SenJohnMcCain: The Speaker was briefed on “enhanced interrogation techniques” but didn’t know what was going on upstairs?!
Sen. John McCain, Arizona.

cbrangel: Did you catch me on TMZ? All in good fun.
Rep. Charles B. Rangel, New York.

SenJohnMcCain: We now have more czar’s than the Romanoff Dynasty!
Sen. John McCain, Arizona.

ChuckGrassley: U can’t get swine flu fr eating pork. Eatup. Regardless of epidemic
Sen. Chuck Grassley, Iowa.

MelMartinez: I will oppose the confirmation of Kathleen Sebelius for HHS Secy. Her ability to do the job will be adversely affected by her extreme views.
Sen. Mel Martinez, Florida.

clairecmc: Looking forward to helping Kathleen Sebelius become HHS Sec today. She will be terrific at the job.The negative noises are distortions.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, Missouri.

clairecmc: Specter to switch parties? Wow.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, Missouri.

SenBillNelson: Whoa, Arlen Specter is switching to Democratic Party after three decades in GOP
Sen. Bill Nelson, Florida.

jaredpolis: Specter’s switch is important because it gives Dems enough votes in the Senate to end a filabuster and bring bills to a vote
Rep. Jared Polis, Colorado.

MelMartinez: On lighter note, Sen Dodd came to Republican meeting where Specter was speaking and asked if Ds could trade for someone else.
Sen. Mel Martinez, Florida.

chelliepingree: Hate Crimes bill Amendments have gone from bad to worse, many very mean spirited, some just crazy…getting very painful…many NO votes!
Rep. Chellie Pingree, Maine.

MarkWarner: Sen. Specter always adds a respected, moderate voice to debates. His decision does not diminish the need for bipartisanship here in DC.
Sen. Mark Warner, Virginia.

clairecmc: This place is surreal sometimes. After my speech on floor for Kathleen S, ran into Tony Bennett in basement of the Capitol. Love him.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, Missouri.

chelliepingree: House just swore in our newest member – he filled a recent vacancy in upstate NY…..Scott Murphy, very nice speech, looking forward to him!
Rep. Chellie Pingree, Maine.

newtgingrich: The trellis in williamsburg is a brilliant restaurant. There are 8 of us and every person thinks their meal is fabulous
Newt Gingrich.

DennyRehberg: Words that never crossed the lips of O.B. Adm in 1st 100 days? “well, maybe Bush wasn’t responsible for this one”.
Rep. Denny Rehberg, Montana.

SenJohnMcCain: President purposes government/union takeover of GM and Chrysler – Lenin would be smiling…
Sen. John McCain, Arizona.

GovMikeHuckabee: More on Arlen Specter…In the words of that great c/w classic song, “Don’t Let the Doorknob Hit Your Rear on the Way Out.”
Gov. Mike Huckabee, Arkansas.

Schwarzenegger: Sitting in my daily flu briefing. 16 confirmed cases and 23 probable. I need to go wash my hands, but will let you know as I hear more.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California.

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Sophie Gilbert