Well, that about wraps it up for the Republicans

I thought that the Republicans were rebounding in the US, on the back of racism, paranoia, greed and fear: the usual ingredients for rightwing success. Obama and the Democrats seemed to be struggling to make the political weather, despite their huge success in the last elections.

That's all changed, thanks to BP, and to Joe Barton, the Republican Congressman who apologised to the oil company for Obama's 'shakedown'. Never mind the legal status of the compensation fund Obama made BP hand over: Barton must be insane if he thinks that defending a British company which has poisoned the oceans is politically clever.

The surprise at Barton's remarks was heightened after it was revealed the Texas congressman – who once worked as an oilfield engineer – has has received nearly $150,000 in donations from an oil company, Anadarko Petroleum, which is a partner with BP in the Gulf oilfield.

His party isn't impressed either: they made him apologise for his apology - twice!

This clip will feature in every Democrat's election campaign for years: