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Some members of Congress who have opposed Carter's program similarly condemned the President's attack—possibly because they saw it, correctly, as a veiled criticism of themselves. Insisted Republican Congressman W. Henson Moore, of oil-producing Louisiana: "The President ran for office urging deregulation and carried Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma largely because of that position. For him to turn around one year later, point a finger at us and call proponents of deregulation 'energy profiteers' is nothing more than a cheap political shot." The Congressman had a point about Carter's reversal, but the contention that Republican Ford would have carried all three states if Carter had opposed deregulation is highly dubious. Louisiana's Long, mildly critical, urged a "lower level of rhetoric." Senate Republican Leader Howard Baker argued that Carter's energy program was not in trouble because of the oil lobby but because "it's a bad bill."
As the furor continued, Carter seemed pleased by what he had wrought. An aide described him as "very satisfied" with the jolt produced by his press-conference blast. Having been criticized for being too gentlemanly in supporting his energy program, he was suddenly under fire for putting on the 8-oz. gloves—and seemed to relish it. Thursday night, only hours after he took on the oil and gas industry, the President was in a buoyant mood as he played host on the White House South Lawn to 500 Georgians of the "Peanut Brigade," the group that carried the Carter campaign door to door in its early days. Old Friend Bert Lance was there, and the former Budget Director spent the night in the Lincoln bedroom. When one member of the Brigade told Carter that "on the next go round, you can count on every one of us again," a pleased President responded: "I'm not making any announcements about the future—but don't throw away those suitcases."
The President's high spirits proved contagious. "There is a strong feeling of relief here," said one presidential assistant. "A feeling of 'let's get out there and do it—let's go get 'em.' "
Carter has asked all of his Cabinet members to "go get 'em" too. In addition, he is considering another fireside TV speech on energy, possibly combined with an appeal for the Panama Canal treaties. Also under consideration: another televised phone-in on his energy proposals.