That must be some crystal ball Reuters reporters Jeremy Pelofsky and Tom Doggett have.
They somehow know that George W. Bush's Executive Order lifting an Executive Branch ban on offshore drilling will work out to be "largely symbolic" -- even though Congress's ban will expire on September 30 unless it's proactively renewed.
Further, Pelofsky and Doggett seem to almost know that since Barack Obama opposes any additional offshore drilling, not enough of his fellow party members will defect from that position between now and the Congressional ban's expiration, regardless of whether he remains competitive or sinks in the polls in the meantime.
Here's what the pair had to say on those two topics in their "objective" report (bold is mine):
President George W. Bush on Monday lifted a White House ban on offshore drilling to try to drive down soaring energy prices, a largely symbolic bid unlikely to have any short-term impact on high gasoline costs.
..... "Today, I've taken every step within my power to allow offshore exploration," Bush told reporters. "This means the only thing standing between the American people and these vast oil resources is action from the U.S. Congress."
Congress too has a ban on offshore drilling and while it expires on September 30, it could be renewed. Plus, federal officials say it would take years for any oil to be produced in those areas, together making Bush's move largely symbolic.
..... Democratic White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama's campaign also criticized Bush's move. "It would merely prolong the failed energy policies we have seen from Washington for 30 years," spokesman Bill Burton said.
Even if more Democrats in Congress backed lifting the legislative ban, it would be unlikely that they would buck their presidential candidate ahead of the November election.
Really?
What the two Reuters reporters, and perhaps Obama, fail to realize is that not everyone on earth is willing to throw himself or herself under the bus to advance the presumptive Democratic nominee's political ambitions.
Does anyone really think that your average career-politician congressperson will fall on his or her sword for Obama if it appears that enough constituents plan on taking their wrath at high energy prices out at the polls on anyone voting to extend the Congressional ban?
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
—Tom Blumer is president of a training and development company in Mason, Ohio, and is a contributing editor to NewsBusters
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Because the Democrats would rather have the issue
July 15, 2008 - 06:57 ET by c5theninstead of a plan of action leading to a solution. They are political terrorists who would gladly use energy prices as their 'explosive belts' to try and point fingers at others in the hopes of getting elected to 'fix' a problem that they themselves created and are perpetuating.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Talk about carter years
July 15, 2008 - 07:08 ET by MidAmericaTalk about carter years redux. One of the things that brought in Reagan with a landslide was his telling the American people that there was plenty of oil. He was right. The dems said we just had to get used to the new normal that oil had run out. Jimmuh said to put on a sweater if we were cold. Now the dems want us to believe the same thing with the mantra we can't drill our way out of this problem (which they created). What they are really saying (again) it's out there but for your own good we can't let you have it.
If congress...
July 15, 2008 - 07:14 ET by HeavyChevyrenews the ban it will be the death of them...one can only hope!!!
I can't believe I spent most of my voting life being a democrat what the hell was I thinking! JUST...FREAKING...DRILL!!! the average hard working American don't care about the polar bear, ice caps, spotted owl, three two sloth, global warming whatever. most if not all Americans care about supporting their families, getting to work, keeping a job, trying to put food on the table and these gas prices are killing us, but congress whose being led by the snout by these special interest groups don't notice or care!
Congress better remember "we the people" have a very good memory and will remember their inaction!
"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."
We Can't Drill Our Way Out of It
July 15, 2008 - 08:47 ET by allanfWe can't drill our way out of it, if the Democrats won't let us drill.
The Democrats have handed the Republicans a singularly great political gift. While the Democrats loyal apparatchiks in the mordant media rail against drilling with hollow homilies, the blood of voters boils hotter with every trip to the gas station. City dwellers will not be pleased with the cost of heating fuel this winter. The Democrats arguments are convincing only to those who don't drive, don't heat their homes or don't care about money.
Now all the Republicans must do is make a politcal issue out of driling for oil.
I also like where the MSM pointed out
July 15, 2008 - 07:17 ET by YahooWatcherrepeatedly that he is reversing his father's EO:
From: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080714/pl_nm/usa_energy_dc_2
"The presidential offshore drilling ban was instituted by Bush's father, George Bush, in 1990 and was later extended by President Bill Clinton and was set to expire in June 2012. Most offshore drilling is allowed in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, but not Florida. "
It's as if to say junior doesn't even listen to his dad.
Creative Congressional Crisis 101:
July 15, 2008 - 07:56 ET by CrashOr, how to screw up the economy without really trying.
"... a largely symbolic bid unlikely to have any short-term impact on high gasoline costs."
That's what they said a decade ago too. Look where leftist policy has firmly placed us today. My main concern is that we get the oil, but we do nothing to increase our refinement capacity. My second concern is that the oil companies sell domestic oil to the highest bidder like China instead of keeping it here to lower our fuel costs.
I don't even want to get started on the real estate & banking "crisis" ... Chuck Schumer.
the 'only' way to....
July 15, 2008 - 08:57 ET by larry on LIget any action on the congressional stalemate on drilling ,is to vote against any of your congressional members that support the drilling ban.wtite or fax your sentiments now.
Drilling
July 15, 2008 - 08:53 ET by BluegillThis is only a taste of what the Dems have in store for US economy, tack on the carbon credits and see your utility bills soar as well as your taxes. Con Ed said the average electric bill is going up 22% just on increased fuel cost. McCain has to drop the Carbon Credits or I don't think I can pull the lever for him either. According to Wallstreet Journal, Bush had a major victory at the G8 summit, basically all developed nations now understand that you can not leave China and India out and expect their pollution not to "leak" to the rest of the world. Europe has been taxing its citizens (carbon offsets) and sending the money to China in hopes they will make clean coal plants, instead the communist government has stolen most of the money.
Making a commitment to explore for oil offshore and in Alaska will reduce the price soon based on future expectations of increased supply. I heard Roger Hedgecock make a great point, How do you feel about the US President basically begging the Saudi Royal family to increase production. Bringing the greatest country in the world to its knees pleading for more oil. We need to do it all and become energy independent as a matter of National Security.
22% increase - I wish. We
July 15, 2008 - 11:53 ET by Conservative Blues22% increase - I wish. We just got our new utilities budget plan, and our monthly payment amount increased 35%.
Drill here, drill now, pay less.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 - "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left."
Fax Congress Now!!
July 15, 2008 - 09:09 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsBe sure to let your reps know how you feel about this. Fax your congressperson for free.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
It would merely prolong the
July 15, 2008 - 09:15 ET by pbanks7It would merely prolong the failed energy policies we have seen from Washington for 30 years
Yeah, the environmentalist/Dhimmicrat policy of no new refineries, no drilling, filibuster threats, veto of ANWR drilling, and increasing our importation of oil.
To paraphrase an annoying TV ad: It's our oil and we need it now!
MSM - shaping all the perceptions you need to believe, then confirming it with a poll.
If the Republican Party doesn't exploit this to the fullest...
July 15, 2008 - 09:18 ET by R D Helm...then they deserve to lose in November. Our economy is going to tank rather harshly if rising energy prices aren't dealt with soon.
To Hell with the democrats and the environmentalists.
And what took Mr. Bush so long? This issue should have been forced months ago.Waiting until many of us lose our jobs over this is a little too late.
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
We need a Reagan to explain
July 15, 2008 - 09:25 ET by Ruths husband BenWe need a Reagan to explain "supply and demand" to these dimwits. Oh, wait, they wouldn't listen to him either.
“it is not the role of this Court to pronounce the Second Amendment extinct.” - Justice Antonin Scalia
It's about time!
July 15, 2008 - 09:50 ET by pbanks7President George W. Bush on Monday lifted a White House ban on offshore drilling to try to drive down soaring energy prices, a largely symbolic bid unlikely to have any short-term impact on high gasoline costs.
It's about time! Largely symbolic means the President has put the issue squarely on the Dem's backs. He should have done this weeks ago. Good for him -- now he just needs to hammer the issue. Unfortunately, articulating policy is one of my greatest disappointments with him.
MSM - shaping all the perceptions you need to believe, then confirming it with a poll.
and the price of oil went......
July 15, 2008 - 12:11 ET by Figurative1Wow, symbolic? The speculators don't seem to think so. The price for a barrel has dropped to $138. Why? They know like the rest of us that it would make a difference.
Pelosi and her minions wanted to "force" the Arabs to increase production and accused them of intentionally with holding supply to drive prices up.
Well, then why is increasing our own supply to lower the price so absurd to Democratigogues? And why are the Republicrats rolling over and taking it AGAIN!
And the RNC wonders why I laughed when the called for a donation. The schlub on the phone couldn't even tell me who the RNC chairman was! NO SOUP FOR YOU! grrrrr.