Pres. Obama unleashes on Republican energy policy
CORAL GABLES, Florida - With rising gasoline prices posing a threat to his bid for re-election, President Obama wants Americans to understand "there is no silver bullet" to quickly produce more gasoline and make it less costly at the pump - no matter what Republicans say.
"It's the easiest thing in the world make phony election-year promises about lower gas prices," said the president in a swipe at Republicans, including those seeking to unseat him in November.
Addressing a predominantly student audience at the University of Miami campus here, Mr. Obama cited a recent news report from Politico that portrayed Republicans as gleeful that gasoline prices are soaring 8 months before the presidential election.
"Gasoline prices are on the rise and Republicans are licking their chops. That's a quote," he said, quoting from the Politico story.
Clearly finding it easy to believe the report, President Obama said, "Only in politics do people root for bad news, do they greet bad news so enthusiastically."
He's said he's sure Republicans are "dusting off their 3-point plan for $2 gas."
Step one is to drill and step two is to drill," said the president, seeking to ridicule the GOP energy strategy. "And then step three is to keep drilling."
"Well, the American people aren't stupid," said Mr. Obama. "They know that's not a plan, especially since we're already drilling."
He called the drill, drill, drill approach nothing more than "a bumper sticker" and "not a strategy to solve our energy challenge."
He portrayed Republicans as adopting "a strategy to get politicians through an election."
"There are no quick fixes to this problem," the president said. "We can't just drill our way to lower gas prices."
Pres. Obama used his speech to reaffirm his commitment to what he calls his "all-of-the-above strategy" to develop every available source of American energy.
More production of oil and gas are part of his energy strategy, "but also wind and solar and nuclear and biofuels, and more," he said to an outburst of applause.
"We need to keep developing the technology that allows us to use less oil in our cars and trucks; in our buildings and plants. That's the strategy we're pursuing, and that's the only real solution to this challenge. "
The president is also demanding an end to the $4-billion a year government tax subsidies to the big oil companies.
"It's outrageous. It's inexcusable," he said. "And every politician who's been fighting to keep these subsidies in place should explain to the American people why the oil industry needs more of their money. Especially at a time like this. "
Finding it a worthwhile target, Mr. Obama said "it's time to end taxpayer giveaways to an industry that's never been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that's never been more promising. "
He again called on Congress to renew the clean energy tax credits that "will lead to more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil. "
But Republicans were quick to pounce back citing the doubling of gasoline prices over the past 3 years.
"From his drilling moratorium to his denial of the Keystone pipeline," said press secretary to Speaker John Boehner, Brandon Buck. "The President has time and again sided with his liberal base over American families."
President Obama didn't watch last night's GOP presidential candidates debate, though he sounded as though he wanted to have the last word today on energy policy.
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Now we at least have a better number on where all the least educated populations live.
Santorum and Gingrich supporters....I'm thinking need some type of mental therapy...who in there right minds would possibly vote for either of them. the thought of either of them as president is INSANE!!!!
If you support Romney.. ok... you're just not very bright in my book.
But Santorum? ...Gingrich?.....there's gotta be some mental disabilities there.
just my opinion of course...But have Americans really become that dumb? this is embarrassing.
Paul needs to go Independent, or Obama need's to adopt a couple of Paul's ideas.... or it's Canada bound.
I don't see any permanent solutions being offered by either useless party at the moment.
There needs to be a balance between Paul and Obama...that's who will be president... I hope someone comes forward soon.
Saddam Hussein faced a similar dilemma ten years ago. Though he wanted the world to know he had nothing to hide, he also wanted to bluff his archenemy Iran into believing Iraq still had WMD.
Bluffing did not go well for Saddam, and it might not go well for Ahmadinejad.
But since the price tag for ridding Saddam proved high, we ought to reflect what we are asking of Iran now. On the eve of a threatened attack, we are asking it to take us to the depths of its arsenal and show us all it's got.
Such great expectations are a sign we have been talking to our friends too long and are in need of a broader perspective. Exactly when was the last time we asked Pakistan, India, China or Russia to show us their arsenal?
"But those countries are not advocating the destruction of Israel."
True, but Israel is not a thorn on their side either.
Surely, however, we can see beyond the hyperboles and figure out their underlying purpose. Or have we forgotten that not all Iranians are thrilled with Ahmadinejad?
He sure hasn't.
Nor has he forgotten that that his countrymen hate Israel even more. So he tells them that Israel will be wiped from the face of the earth. Expectantly, this nonsense unites them against a common enemy. It even becomes a diversion from the misery and isolation brought on by his anachronistic regime.
Quite clever work by Ahmadinejad -- and not a rial spent or a bullet fired.
So why are we letting the crazy talk about destroying Israel get us all worked-up -- to the point of turning the world topsy-turvy again.
Can we not plainly see the machinations of an unpopular regime trying to hold on to power?
If Obama's "horrible" energy policies are the reason gas is so high...was it Bush's energy policies that caused gas prices to hit record highs under his administration?...and yes, i'm aware he isn't President anymore.
President Obama can NOT escape the fact that his horrible energy policies are contributing to higher gasoline prices for Americans. He stopped companies from drilling in ANWAR, he has increased regulations for drilling in the GULF (when it was one foreign oil company that acted irresponsibly, after decades of responsible drilling by others), and stupid action like stopping the Canadian pipeline.
In the past, Barrack Obama has said that he would like to drive up the cost of energy in order to move the US to alternative green forms of energy. This may be OK for him, since he has money and can afford the cost. However, this nails the poor and middle income Americans that he "says" he cares so much about. Not just at the pump. Every product that is transported by fossil fuels will have the additional transportation costs added to the price at the store. This President is a radical, and his polices are hurting Americans.