Republican senators are beginning to lay the groundwork for a protracted battle with Democratic senators and the new Administration over upcoming climate change legislation. Anonymous holds have been placed on the nominations of both Lisa Jackson, tapped by Obama to lead the EPA, and Nancy Sutley, to head the Council on Environmental Quality.

From Elana Schor of TPM:

"Jackson told the Senate environment committee last week that she would quickly re-examine California's request, backed by more than a dozen other states, to strictly regulate auto emissions. But this isn't really about Jackson or Sutley ...

... it's about Carol Browner, the incoming White House climate and energy adviser.

By holding up Jackson and Sutley, Senate Republicans are doing more than just signaling their discontent that they won't get to question and vote on Browner -- although Sen. Bob Corker [R-TN] suggests to the Times that Browner be called in for a "quasi-confirmation" hearing. They're previewing their strategy to knock down the climate regulation bill that Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), environment committee chairman, will release later this year."

It looks like the Senate Republicans are setting up a little side-show to distract press and public from addressing the real issue at hand. A little refrain from the "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" songbook. If they can get everyone chattering about whether President Obama has the authority to appoint senior advisers who then, you know, advise on legislation, then maybe nobody will address the fact that Congress is doing nothing about climate-change legislation on very real, tangible issues like auto and factory emissions.

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