Gibbs: Palin Should Get More Informed About Drilling

CBS/Chris Usher

Sarah Palin says she is still a "big supporter of offshore drilling" despite the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill that is threatening the environment and the economy, though she adds that oil companies should be held accountable for their actions.

On Fox News Sunday, the former Alaska governor drew a link between the Obama administration's response to the spill and what she cast as President Obama's cozy relationship with oil companies tied to their support for his presidential campaign.

Later, on CBS' "Face the Nation," host Bob Schieffer asked White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs to respond to Palin's claim about the Obama administration's relationship with oil companies.

"Sarah Palin was involved in that election, but I don't think, apparently, was paying a whole lot of attention," Gibbs said. "I'm almost sure that the oil companies don't consider the Obama administration a huge ally - we proposed a windfall profits tax when they jacked their oil prices up to charge for gasoline."

"My suggestion to Sarah Palin would be to get slightly more informed as to what's going on in and around oil drilling in this country," he added.

Following Gibbs' suggestion that she "get slightly more informed," Palin tweeted: "Mr. Gibbs, BP gave over $3.5mill to federal candidates over the past 20 years, with with the largest amount going to Obama," linking to a Politico story citing data from the Center for Responsible Politics. 

During his time in the Senate and while running for president, Obama received a total of $77,051 from the oil giant and is the top recipient of BP PAC and individual money over the past 20 years, according to financial disclosure records. 

Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt dismissed the suggestion of undue influence by BP in the same Politico story, from May 5:

"President Obama didn't accept a dime from corporate PACs or federal lobbyists during his presidential campaign," spokesman Ben LaBolt said. "He raised $750 million from nearly four million Americans. And since he became president, he rolled back tax breaks and giveaways for the oil and gas industry, spearheaded a G20 agreement to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, and made the largest investment in American history in clean energy incentives."

According to Open Secrets.org, BP's campaign contributions during the 2008 election cycle were $214,915 to Democrats, and $315,909 to Republicans (about 40/60), split almost evenly between individual contributions and PACs.

According to the National Institute on Money in State Politics, during Palin's 2006 run for Governor in Alaska (where the large majority of donations came from individuals), BP America made the fifth-largest donation by a company to her campaign, contributing $4,650, with BP Alaska giving an additional $250.

[msjb1]

I sure hope that none of our government did not sabotage that drilling rig cause it sure looks like one of their shady deals to teach every body that wants to drill off shore its a bad idea

[nuttyworld]

There wouldn't have been a fraction of the spill if they had been allowed to drill closer to shore. Instead, they had to drill 5,000 feet because of the environmentalists' insistence. Once again the liberals make a mess in their lame attempt to make things better.

[vdp101]

I would like to think that Palin has a very good idea of Oil Drilling considering she was on several commissions in and while Gov. of the Great Oil Producing State of Alaska..But what do I know..
Check these out...could be cool to some and irritate some others...

http://digg.com/d31RvKk

http://digg.com/d31S1hx

Please take the time...This is a very scary time in America..I am scared for my children and their children.

[wjksea]

GOP/teabagger/christian right say drill baby drill, no socialism, government is failing to take care of the BRITISH petroleum mess, no nanny government, we don't need government, don't touch my social security, don't tax me bro, we must drill to be independent of foreign oil, it's unamerican to curse BRITISH petroleum, Obama has failed to intervene and clean up this mess, leave the government out of the affairs of private business.

Only a well paid ho can profess any piece of this contradictory tangled web makes sense.

[wjksea]

The best way to gain access in the global house of ill repute Amerika is to be a Palin ho.

[NdubuezeC]

Sarah Palin is an Idiot. She is as ignorant as she is Vile. I don't know why the press is keeping this ignorant idiot on the news everyday. A woman who couldn't govern a state for a term has now become the go-to-person for news for the Press. May God help America.

[noloyalisti]

Don't you need to have an actual brain in your head before it can be developed and you can learn?

[mountainstates1]

The fact that a news network even gives air time to someone as uneducated and unqualified as Palin to discuss matters of such importance at all, shows how denegrated and desperate the Conservative movement has become.

[MurdochSucks]

Palin once again proving idiocy. The truth hurts doesn't it grizzly? You point out Obama's BP contributions without making sure you didn't get any. Big mistake, nice try though. I'm sure it worked on some of your foolish fanatics.

[stormerF3]

It would be nice if Gibbs was just informed about anything,and could answer some questions put to him about the deals made or proposed in the White House. His inability to do nothing but make jabs at Palin just makes him look more stupid than he needs to be.

[mountainstates1]

True. Palin does a great job of looking stupid on her own.