Did Rep. Nick Rahal persuade Bush not to call on Congress to return from August recess?

Lots of folks on the Right were absolutely stunned Monday when the White House announced that President Bush would not summon Congress back from its August recess to vote on lifting the congressional ban on drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf to increase domestic oil and natural gas supplies.

Now comes this little tidbit from Politico. Seems that rabid earmarker Rep. Nick Rahal of West Virginia spent quite a bit of time with President Bush last week on Air Force One and in a presidential limo, and convinced the lame duck chief executive that it would be impossible for Congress to get anything done on energy issues this year.

Here's how Politico's Martin Kady reported it:

"Rahall spent more than an hour last week talking to the president about energy. Bush spent the entire flight aboard Air Force One, and much of a subsequent limousine ride, grilling the West Virginia Democrat about legislative solutions to the high price of gasoline, Rahall said last week.

"So, does the president think Congress can get anything done this year?

“'No,' Rahall replied in a short interview with Politico. 'He’s realistic about it.'

"Asked if Congress will produce a comprehensive energy bill in September before Congress adjourns again for elections, Rahall replied, 'This year? No.'"

Go here for the full Politico news article.