Obama ‘Drills’ Republicans For Rooting For High Gas Prices

[Galraedia]

Today, President Obama delivered a strong moral rebuke of Republicans who are rooting for higher gas prices so that Americans feel more pain at the pump.

Here is the video from C-SPAN:

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/ObamaonEne

President Obama said,

I got a letter last night — I get these letters, 10 letters every night that I read out of the 40,000 that are sent to me. And at least two of them said, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to keep my job if gas prices keep on going up so high, because it’s just hard to manage the budget and fill up the tank. A lot of folks are going through tough times as a consequence.

Now, some politicians they see this as a political opportunity. I know you’re shocked by that. Last week, the lead story in one newspaper said, “Gasoline prices are on the rise and Republicans are licking their chops.” That’s a quote. That was the lead. “Licking their chops.” Only in politics do people root for bad news, do they greet bad news so enthusiastically. You pay more; they’re licking their chops.

You can bet that since it’s an election year, they’re already dusting off their 3-point plan for $2 gas. And I’ll save you the suspense. Step one is to drill and step two is to drill. And then step three is to keep drilling. We heard the same line in 2007 when I was running for President. We hear the same thing every year. We’ve heard the same thing for 30 years.

Well, the American people aren’t stupid. They know that’s not a plan, especially since we’re already drilling. That’s a bumper sticker. It’s not a strategy to solve our energy challenge. That’s a strategy to get politicians through an election.

You know there are no quick fixes to this problem. You know we can’t just drill our way to lower gas prices. If we’re going to take control of our energy future and can start avoiding these annual gas price spikes that happen every year — when the economy starts getting better, world demand starts increasing, turmoil in the Middle East or some other parts of the world — if we’re going to avoid being at the mercy of these world events, we’ve got to have a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy. Yes, oil and gas, but also wind and solar and nuclear and biofuels, and more.

Read more: http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-republicans-gas-prices

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. Why is there no fix for the oil prices? Oil prices are killing us.

There needs to be something done.

[Oasis_]

2. The President is absolutely correct

There is no quick fix (although this is a bubble and I think he will utilize the strategic reserves--I would call on every developed nation to do so en bloc for maximum price effect)

Ramp up domestic production while continuing to invest heavily in alternatives is the only solution to lessening our dependence on foreign oil. The "all of the above" approach.

It will take time, but I'm very confident this bubble will soon burst. The key is managing future events so dependency isn't such so economically painful.

Once again the President is completely correct and the opposition is absolutely wrong.

Oasis

[badtoworse]

3. Has he actually done anything to increase domestic crude production or refining capacity?

[banned from Kos]

4. headed back up to new production high of 10 million bpd

[badtoworse]

7. Obama does not deserve any credit for that

IMO, the extensive use of fracking and horizontal drilling is the reason production has increased. The federal government has no role in regulating these activities because under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, they were exempted from the requirements of the Clean Water Act and a number of other federal regulatory programs. Regulation is currently being done at the state level. As I see it, the federal government has not been a factor in the upsurge of oil and gas production.

There are areas where the federal government has a say - e.g. ANWR, opening up more offshore areas to exploration, encouraging the construction of new refining capacity and approving new pipelines. What has he done in those areas?

[Oasis_]

5. Yes, definitely

More than what occurred in the Bush administration. The problem is that in the 80's and a good portion of the 90's oil prices completely flatlined. There's no question moderate prices fuel economic expansion and we need to attempt to substantially increase domestic production in order to partially mitigate possible surge in future costs, but when prices were so incredibly low and unsustainable--tendencies and expectations set in.

We were woefully unprepared when the prices would inevitably skyrocket. The President is attempting to try and diminish our dependence on foreign oil through the aforementioned policies.

Oasis

[cstanleytech]

8. How would ramping up production help? Arent the oil companies already exporting alot of gas

out of the country while claiming they are close to losing money on the production?

[Sarah Ibarruri]

10. Alternatives will take decades or longer. It hasn't been done yet, and it will not happen in our

lifetimes.

Meanwhile, every day is a day we sink lower into a depression of the Great Depression style. None of this was our president's fault, but he needs to take FDR-like measures, and not merely wait around to see what happens to our country. FDR did not wait for approval from his enemies.

[SmileyRose]

6. drill baby drill

Forgive me it's been a silly day

[spanone]

9. quick fix. nationalize big oil. if we're willing to die for it, we should own it.