Today President Bush lifted the executive ban on off-shore drilling first enacted by his father is 1990, and had the audacity to blame Democrats for the high price of gas. No, I’m not kidding.
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Bush’s cynicism on this issue is simply breath-taking. He’s trying to exploit the anger Americans are feeling over the crushing price of fuel by blaming Democrats and challenging them to allow a vote on a bill that would have ZERO immediate impact on fuel costs, but would be very difficult (politically speaking) to oppose. Just like the Republicans do with every possible issue, they feed off voter resentment and play cynical politics with a very serious and complicated problem.
The fact that opening up off-shore drilling sites won’t yield more resources for at least a decade doesn’t matter. What matters is that Republicans can use the issue as a political bludgeon to bash Democrats with, all the while just prolonging our addiction to foreign oil. Shameful.
Nicole adds: And for all the talk that drilling would provide a psychological boost and drop prices, it’s noteworthy that oil is slightly up today at more than $145/barrel. You’d think such a presidential announcement would provide a nice drop — even if short-lived — if there was a psychological element to this. Nope.
If offshore drilling would provide short-term relief at the pump or a long-term strategy for energy independence, it would be worthy of our consideration, regardless of the risks. But most experts, even within the Bush Administration, concede it would do neither. It would merely prolong the failed energy policies we have seen from Washington for thirty years.
Check below the fold for more responses and a thorough debunking on this farce George Bush and John McCain call an energy policy.
Carol Pope, Executive Director of the SierraClub:
“This is the most cynical of political ploys. Even the Bush administration admits that offshore drilling will do absolutely nothing to lower gas prices, today, tomorrow, or even a decade from now. This is nothing more than an attempt to exploit the suffering of hardworking Americans in order to pad Big Oil’s bottom line. […] America simply cannot afford another president from the Grand Oil Party.
Once again, the oilman in the White House is echoing the demands of Big Oil.
Progressive Accountability put together this fact sheet:
McCain’s Voting Record And Policies Favor Big Oil
McCain’s Tax Plan Gives Top Five Oil Companies $3.8 Billion A Year In Tax Breaks. According to a study conducted by the Center for American Progress, “The McCain plan would deliver approximately $170 billion a year in tax cuts to corporations, including some corporations that are very large and profitable. Just one of the proposals-cutting the corporate rate from 35 percent to 25 percent-would cut taxes for five largest U.S. oil companies by $3.8 billion a year.” [Center for American Progress, 3/27/08]
McCain Voted Against Reducing Dependence On Foreign Oil. In 2005, McCain voted against legislation calling on the President to submit a plan to reduce foreign petroleum imports by 40 percent. [Senate Roll Call Vote #140, 6/16/05]
In 2005, McCain Voted Against a Windfall Profit Tax on Oil Companies At Least Twice. McCain voted against a measure that would have provided an income tax rebate to Americans by taxing enormous oil company profits temporarily on an sale of crude above $40 a barrel. [S 2020, Vote #331, 11/17/05; S 2020, Vote # 341, 11/17/05; Houston Chronicle, 11/17/05; Las Vegas Review-Journal, 11/18/05; Environment and Energy Daily¸ 11/18/05]
McCain Voted Against Taxing Oil Companies To Provide $100 Rebate To Consumers. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment to impose a temporary tax on oil company profits from the sale of crude oil. The funds would be used to provide every taxpayer with a $100 non-refundable tax credit for 2005 for each person in their household. The amendment failed 33-65. [S 2020, Vote #341, 11/17/05]
McCain Voted Against Temporarily Taxing Oil Companies to Finance Tax Rebate For Consumers. In 2005, McCain voted against an amendment to would impose a temporary 50 percent tax on oil company profits from the sale of crude oil. Funds collected from the tax would be used to provide a consumer tax credit for petroleum products. The amendment failed 35-64. [S 2020, Vote #331, 11/17/05]
McCain Called To End Off Shore Drilling Ban; Boon For Big Oil
McCain Now: McCain Called For Lifting The Off Shore Drilling Moratorium. During a press availability in Arlington Virginia, John McCain called for a lifting of the federal moratorium on offshore drilling. McCain said, “I think that’s a subject of negotiation and discussion. But right now, as you know there’s a moratorium. And those moratorium, in my view, moratoria, have to be lifted. And they have to be lifted so that states can make those decisions. I’m not dictating to the states that they drill or they engage in oil exploration. I am saying that the moratoria should be lifted so they have the opportunity to do so. And by the way, I would also like to see perhaps additional incentives if the states, in the form of tangible financial rewards if the states decide to lift those moratoria.” [McCain Press Avail 6/16/07]
- Houston Chronicle: McCain Announced Drilling Stance To “Make Amends With Texas Energy Producers.” The Houston Chronicle Reported, “Republican presidential candidate John McCain, seeking to make amends with Texas energy producers who did not support him during the 2008 GOP primary season, said Monday he wants to end a federal moratorium on offshore drilling and create “additional incentives” for states to approve new exploration ventures.” [Houston Chronicle, 6/17/08]
McCain Said Coasts “Should Be Open To Exploration and Exploitation.” John McCain said, “So I do believe that there are places in the world, as I said, that we should not drill. But I certainly think there are areas off our coasts that should be open to exploration and exploitation. And I hope that we can take the first step, by lifting the moratoria in order to do so.” [McCain Press Avail 6/16/07]
McCain Then: He Opposed Off-Shore Drilling At Least Three Times, and Twice Supported Florida Efforts To Prevent Drilling Off Their Coasts.
- McCain Voted Against Off-Shore Drilling. In 2005, McCain voted for an amendment that would strike language instructing the Interior Department to conduct a comprehensive inventory of Outer Continental Shelf oil and natural gas resources. The amendment failed 44-52. [H.R. 6, Vote #143, 6/21/2005]
- McCain Voted Against Off-Shore Drilling. In 2003, McCain voted against a provision requiring a survey and inventory of possible off-shore oil and natural gas deposits by the Secretary of the Interior. He voted for an amendment striking the provision. The amendment failed 45-53. [S. 14, Vote #221, 6/12/2003]
- McCain Voted for One-Year Moratorium on Oil and Gas Exploration in North Aleutian Basin. In 1989, McCain voted for a bill making appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1990, and for other purposes. The bill contained a total of $956.4 million for the Bureau of Land Management of which $442.1 million is for management of lands and resources; $535.5 million for the Fish and Wildlife Service. The bill also imposed a one-year moratorium on oil and gas exploration and development in the North Aleutian Basin and ensured that the Department of the Interior will continue its assessment of damage from the Exxon Valdex oil spill through September 30, 1990. The bill also contained $1.5 billion for the Department of Energy, which includes $422.1 million for the fossil energy research program; $192.1 million for the Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves; $413.3 million for energy conservation. The bill passed 91-6. [H.R. 2788, Vote #241, 10/7/1989]
Bush Also Called For Oil Drilling In the Outer Continental Shelf. President Bush said, “This morning, I asked Democratic Congressional leaders to move forward with four steps to expand American oil and gasoline production. First, we should expand American oil production by increasing access to the outer continental shelf or OSC. Experts believe that the OCS could produce about 18 billion barrels of oil. That would be enough to match the current oil production America for almost 10 years. The problem is that congress has restricted access to key parts of the OCS since the early 1980’s. Since then, advances in technology have made it possible to conduct oil exploration in the OCS that is out of sight, protects coral reefs and habitats, and protects against oil spills. With these advances, and a dramatic increase in oil prices, Congressional restrictions on exploration have become outdated and counterproductive. Republicans in congress have proposed several promising bills that would lift the legislative ban on oil exploration in the OCS. I call on the House and Senate to pass good legislation as soon possible.” [President Bush statement, 6/18/08]
Filed Under: Environment, George W. Bush
Tags: energy crisis, Oil Drilling
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The Oil companies have now decided that supply will not affect price. Oil will stay high and production can be ramped up, increasing profits.
And how is the Bush-approved Israeli attack on Iran going to help gas prices?
Why does anyone pay attention to this buffoon?
So, with this move have the speculators now gotten religion and going to bring down the price of oil. It’s all psychological…right? Will I wake up tomorrow and find the price is $0.50 lower?
I doubt it.
Walter Sobcek @ 3:
Because he speaks for the corporate owners of this country. He is their script-reader-in-chief.
After leaving the podium, Bush pumped his fist in the air and said, “Fuck you from the world’s biggest polluter! Yeeeeee-haw!”
How can I make this clear…
Bush can do whatever he wants because NO ONE WILL STAND UP TO HIM.
Spineless=Democrats
Wow, it’s amazing that a guy with a 27% approval rating thinks that he speaks for Americans. Oblivious to the world he’s supposed to be the leader of. The lies that stream from this guys mouth are insults us all.
Why in this point in time offshore drilling is being lifted, which would only result in a few cents trickling down with the same energy policy of fossil fuels?? Anyone feel that George HW Bush regrets having W as his kid as president, or son-in-chief?
Oh I get it now. Oil companies raise the prices. Then they get what they want… offshore drilling rights to America’s coast.
Say goodbye to the coast….
Buh-bye
Fail!
I call bs when I see it.
“While the U.S. oil industry wants access to more federal lands to help reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, U.S.-based companies are shipping record amounts of gasoline and diesel fuel to other countries.
A record 1.6 million barrels a day in U.S. refined petroleum products were exported during the first four months of this year, up 33 percent from 1.2 million barrels a day over the same period in 2007. Shipments this February topped 1.8 million barrels a day for the first time during any month, according to final numbers from the Energy Department.
The surge in exports appears to contradict the pleas from the U.S. oil industry and the Bush administration for Congress to open more offshore waters and Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling.
Up 33% since 2007…amazing. “
The democrats are also responsible for the war in the middle east.
If they had only let us drill, we would never have had to invade….
FOR OIL!
Get it?
Just when you think he can’t do anymore harm……..
He’s not a lame duck, he’s a maim duck.
George W. Bu$h = biggest asshole on the planet
Of course it couldn’t have anything to do with some cowboy going in to the middle east and starting 2 wars could it?
I’m constantly surprised at what an insidious liar and manipulative oxygen thief he is.
Though that so many people listen and believe him in that country is even worse, and that they will spin this against the short term BS position, opposed to taking a popper long term view and moving to sustainable energy, and people will believe it.
The US will end up like a withered heroin addict on the dregs of oil it can suck from it’s own veins, while the sort of the world gets on with geothermal, solar, wind, etc …….. very sad.
Walter Sobcek @ 3:
I don’t, I’m not sure who does.
Can we put this douche bag in prison yet?
Reasonstein @ 9:
Not at all, he’s a chip of the old block, making money for oil companies is all that matters, Snr. didn’t care that much and Prescot was one of the biggest supporters of the Nazis going.
I’m no fan of crude or vulgar language in public. Still, I’d love, just once, to have the opportunity to look Bush in the eye and say, “Fuck you!”
I encourage the International Criminal Court to go after Bush next.
rduke @ 17:
It would appear that douche bags are a protected species while Democrats control Congress…
rduke @ 17:
There is more than enough evidence for that.
Even though George HW Bush has some troubles and controversies of his own, doesn’t anyone feel sorry for him due to his son as president?
Zogby International
Poll: 74 percent support offshore oil drilling in U.S
http://www.naplesnews.com/news.....illing-us/
Bush calls for “responsible” development, but we already know that will never happen with a Republican in the White House and 40 Republican senators.
Unfortunately, Americans tend to look at their belly button, and ignore everything outsie of the US, and the media doesn’t help. Konwing that the situation is the same evrywhere, they wouldn’t believe one second that the Democrats have anything to do with it. But many of them are too willing to believe that crock of shit.
Smooth move by Governor (I’m a uniter, not a divider) Bush. What an asshole.
Rob @ 23:
74% are whiners more like who just want cheap oil and don’t give a shit about the planet they live on ……… oh it’s the US, yea that sounds about right.
I hear that GM has just built a hummer that runs on dolphins ……..
wesisbest @ 26:
I’m sort of suprised he hasn’t stuttered, “I’m a divider, not a uniter,” even though that would be more of a truthful stutter, even for him saying it by accident.
Let’s see..what else can Bush give his good buddies in the oil biz……hmmmmmm…of course more subsidies to offset those high cost of offshore drilling.
NEWS FLASH: George W Bush is a lying sack of crap!
Yes I admit it its all mine and others fault,
we refused to buy H3s and thus create more demand for cheaper gas,
so the high price of petrol is all our faults.
I think that Republicans are master politicians. That is not meant in any way, shape, form, universe, paradigm, or alternate-negative-parallel reality to be a compliment.
Prediction: Democrats in congress approve this.
This is just further evidence that he plans to blow up Iran.
He is the ultimate asshole; but in a clear demonstration of his attempts at bipartisanship, he did use the phrase “Democratically controlled Congress”, rather than the “Democrat controlled Congress”. [snark on]
There’s no doubt about it, bush is hoping the American people haven’t learned a damn thing in almost 8 years. Again, he’s hoping to get what he wants using lies and deception. This man is breathtakingly corrupt.
Pelosi and Obama can come out with timely sound bites trying to reassure us that this is a bad idea and they have no intention of allowing this to happen, but we’ve been led down that road before. I’ve already sent an email to the Obama campaign letting them know that I pulled my donations after the FISA incident, and I intend to pull my vote if he doesn’t come out strongly opposed to ANWR or ANY offshore drilling.
Republicans controlled Congress from 1994-2006 and the presidency since 2001. But the Democrats are to blame for energy prices?
If anyone but Bush had said that, it might deserve a response. In this case, it doesn’t.
“Now, the (tar) ball is directly in the Congress’ court.”
g.w.b.
In a few years from now while we all can hardly buy foos get a job pay for anything, the republicans will be saying see what happens when u let our liburals run things , see!
Now G.W can start drilling where he wanted to in the first place using Bin Laden moneys. He wouldn’t have bankrupted his oil company back in the day if it wernt for liebarrels. And the whole entire country wouldnt be bankrupt cept for the liberals, hell the west coast wouldn’t be on fire if it wernt 4 teh liebarells.
Jerry @ 27:
Most likely a poll sponsored by Oil companies…………..on Oil company executives.
Rob @ 23:
the 26% who actually live on the coast hate the idea
helenahandbasket @ 35:
I guess he’s finally starting to come around - can’t wait to see what’s next!
Jerry @ 27:
Yeah. The lying proaganda has worked yet again, in no little part because corporate media are unwilling to stand up and tell the truth. But I betcha numbers like Zogby’s have been thumb-tacked to the wall of the puppet-masters for Bush and Clone.
Rick Shenkman’s book is right. American voters are stupid. OK. Call them “low-information” voters if you heart euphemisms.
In the entire history of American presidents he is the worst.