If ever conservatives needed proof that God loved them, I’d submit that this WSJ article is proof positive. Here’s what I’m basing my opinion on:

Senate Democratic leaders said Tuesday they would put off debate on a big climate-change bill until spring, in a sign of weakening political will to tackle a long-term environmental issue at a time of high unemployment and economic uncertainty.

Legislation on health care, overhauling financial markets and job creation will be considered before the Senate takes up a measure to cap emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases linked to climate change, Senate Democratic leaders said Tuesday.

Climate legislation will be taken up “some time in the spring,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said Tuesday after a Democratic caucus meeting.

Bringing up Cap And Trade next spring is perfect for Republicans. They couldn’t script it better than this. With the dollar weakening and with gas prices rising steadily, bringing up a bill that President Obama said would cause energy prices to “necessarily skyrockocket” doesn’t seem like a bright move if you’re looking for career longevity. (QUESTION: which senator isn’t looking for longevity?)

Usually, gas prices drop once they switch from processing boutique fuels but they’re expected to keep rising because of the weak dollar. The good news is that, according to my go-to guy on energy (Rep. Mike Beard), the good news is that those of us who heat with natural gas will see our heating bills stay mostly unchanged. Mike said that people heating with heating oil will likely see a rise in prices.

What this means is that, if Sen. Reid rolls this bill out according to his announced time, he’ll be trotting it out while gas prices are high. The public opposes the bill, mostly because they think it’s based on junk science, but also because it’ll cost them fistfuls of money.

In the spirit of bipartisanship, I hope Sen. Reid follows through on this and that 55-58 Democratic senators vote for cloture on this.

That would be proof indeed that God loves conservatives.

Technorati: Energy, Gas Prices, Heating Oil, Natural Gas, Tax Increase, Harry Reid, President Obama, Democrats, Election 2010

Cross-posted at California Conservative