W.House Stops Short of Criticizing OPEC, Draws Fire

[pinto]

Congress' fault, 9/11, Congress' fault, 9/11, etc.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=615&e=2&u=/nm/20040331/pl_nm/energy_opec_bush_dc

By Adam Entous

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said it was concerned about rising gasoline prices but raised no public objections to OPEC (news - web sites)'s decision on Wednesday to cut oil production, fueling an election-year battle with Democratic challenger John Kerry (news - web sites) over prices at the pump.

Kerry has seized on record gas prices as a new thrust in his campaign, accusing President Bush (news - web sites) -- a former Texas oilman -- of "inaction" and of breaking a 2000 pledge to step up pressure on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to keep prices low.

<snip>
McClellan put the blame on Congress for failing to pass the Republican president's energy plan. Earlier this week, he played down the need for any short-term measures to address the problem

<snip>
"You have to keep in mind that there are national security concerns involved when you're talking about that issue, particularly in light of Sept. 11," McClellan said.


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=615&e=2&u=/nm/20040331/pl_nm/energy_opec_bush_dc

[Sagan]

1. Goddam finally! Someone mentions *'s 2000 OPEC bluster!

It was infuriating feeling like the only one who remembered the Chimp swaggering around playing the oil man in 2000, who had OPEC wrapped around his little finger.

Pathetic little corporal.

[ewagner]

2. I remember it too

posted on it yesterday but nobody seemed to remember.

What kind of pressure can he put on OPEC now. They hate us. They want to punish us. We've placed just about every government in the region at risk........

Good luck getting cooperation.

[tabasco]

6. "If I become President, I'll tell OPEC to open up the spigots."

Another lie. Explain this freepers. Oh yeah, 9-11 changed everything. That is the universal excuse for anything and everything.

[OhioArtist]

3. Tin foil hat time.

With the Bin Ladens and Bushes in kahoots it wouldn't surprise me if this was a set up for the shrub to get his way.

There's just something about these meatheads that make me think they love set crap up so they can pass the buck and shrug their shoulders like they didn't have a clue.

[The_Casual_Observer]

4. The bastards can't criticize OPEC

Iraq is part of OPEC. Anyway bush has made it a point to never cross the Saudis, they own him and his old man.

[worldgonekrazy]

5. They don't want to look completely inept

If they criticized OPEC then it would make it clear to the American people that this was not a desirable thing. The problem? The people would want a solution, which George W. Bush cannot provide because he has zero leverage over these nations. He pissed it all away for his pointless wars.

[Joanne98]

7. The BFEE are part of OPEC now. Prices are never going down

Unless the fraud is removed from office.

[wrate]

8. Isn't it the deficit fault?

According to some reports I have read OPEC has cut its production in order to push prices up since they get payed for each barrel in U.S dollars. And with the U.S. deficit reaching the trillion mark, and the consequent devaluation of the U.S. dollar amounting to almost 30% (against the Euro) in the last three years, OPEC wants more dollars for its Oil.

Basically, the Bush stupidity of overspending for its wars and the tax cuts for the rich are causing the price of oil to go up. How can you pressure OPEC to put a lid on the price per barrel when your dollars are worth 30% less today than they were three years ago?

OPEC nations argue that most of their commercial transactions are done with European countries which use Euros and the devaluation of the U.S. dollar is hurting them.

[htuttle]

9. That's definitely part of the reason

While the price of a barrel of oil in dollars has certainly been going up, the price of a barrel in Euros (figuring in the dollar exchange rate), has remained fairly constant since 2002.

Other reasons include regular plain old supply and demand. China has been consuming a LOT more petroleum than they used to. India as well.

Finally, before the Iraq invasion, the US bought a few million barrels of oil per day from Iraq. Now it all gets burned or spilled on the sand before it leaves Iraq.

[wrate]

10. Political value of this?

So, if this is true (which I feel it is) and there is a close relationship between the failed economic/fiscal policies of Bush and Americans having to pay more for gas, should we expect Kerry or the Democrats to point this out in their favor?

Poll after poll during the Democratic primaries showed that the American's number one concern is the economy. :)

[koopie57]

13. I really know nothing about OPEC

but I'm curious if organizations and countries might try to help the election along by making things difficult for Bush by enacting certain policies. They can't contribute money, but they can influence the other in other ways? I don't know...just curious if that is a possibility?

[Doug Decker]

12. Welcome to DU!

Great post! :hi:

[jayfish]

11. OMG! Must They Use 9/11 As...

an excuse for everything? I am waiting for some honest news person to ask that question.

Jay

[w4rma]

14. Like most bullies, Bush backs down when opposed (by OPEC in this case)(nt)

[snippy]

15. Both Bush and Cheney are, and always have been, big supporters of OPEC.

They have always opposed low priced oil.

http://www.grandoldpetroleum.com/history.html

http://slate.msn.com/id/1008106/

[boobooday]

16. Shhh, don't say a bad word about the Saudis!

They're SUCH good friends!



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