Despite the public relations disaster of the past GOP candidates continue to defend BP.  AP Photo

By now one would think Republicans would learn not to hand out any comments which seemingly defend British Petroleum.  The apology to BP from Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) was a public relations nightmare that Republicans that would take weeks for the GOP to overcome.  In the end, the GOP forced Rep. Barton to apologize.  Later House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) would also try to backtrack on comments which signaled his approval of taxpayer funded bailout for BP.  Despite these lessons fom the past, two prominent Republican U.S. Senate candidates have seemingly defended BP in the last 48 hours.

Sharon Angle and Rand Paul may be the most prominent U.S. Senate candidates for Republicans.  If Angle wins she would unseat the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) which would certainly make Republicans happy.  Paul is in a "must-win" state for Republicans as he attempts to take over for Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY).  Despite the national stature each candidate has acquired, they both continue to make public gaffes in interviews.

Angle began it all yesterday when talking about the efforts of the Obama administration to make BP pay for claims from the Gulf Coast through an escrow fund.  Angle said, "government shouldn't be doing that to a private company" and later called the escrow account a "slush fund" (the same language used by Rep. Barton).  Later Angle, perhaps realizing her mistake, called her own comments "incorrect" after sayng she had some "time to think about it."

Today Rand Paul argued the President was being too harsh on BP and expressed concern about BP going out of business.  Paul argues that the government needs to make sure BP makes money so that it can pay for the cleanup.  Paul seems to believe that government should never use harsh language against corporations who have engaged in wrongdoing, so that the company can later pay the government.  Paul, unlike Angle, has not backtracked on his comments.

Democrats are anxious to take advantage of what they see as extreme views held by Angle and Paul.  Both come from a more libertarian bent which generally opposed popular programs like Social Security and Medicare.  The Republican establishment supported other candidates in the primary aces, perhaps knowing Angle and Paul could present problems in the future.