VIDEO: Bodman Stumped Trying to Explain Bush Flip-Flop on Strategic Reserve
VIDEO: Bodman Stumped Trying to Explain Bush Flip-Flop on Strategic Reserve
In Sept. 2000, then-Gov. George W. Bush criticized President Clinton for proposing to use the strategic oil reserve in response to high prices:
The Strategic Reserve is an insurance policy meant for a sudden disruption of our energy supply or for war. Strategic Reserve should not be used as an attempt to drive down oil prices right before an election. It should not be used for short-term political gain at the cost of long-term national security.
Today on Meet the Press, Tim Russert asked Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to explain why President Bush broke his 2000 campaign pledge and announced he would stop filling the Strategic Reserve.
Bodman couldn’t keep his answers straight. First he said the decision was merely “symbolic.” Then he claimed it was actually meant “to make a contribution to the reduction of prices.” Then he suggested that Bush had indeed broken his campaign pledge, but that it was okay since it had been several years and “times are different.” Then he flipped again, saying Bush was justified because current gas prices constituted a “crisis.” Not ready for primetime. Watch it:
Full transcript below:
RUSSERT: [After watching Sept. 2000 Bush campaign clip] Isn’t that exactly what the President is now doing?
BODMAN: Tim, this president has been very consistent in his application and management of the Strategic Reserve. We have not used the reserve for interruptions in supply. We have been asked by the Democrats when oil was $60 a barrel to remove oil from the Reserve and put it into the market place so it will drive prices down. We declined to do that. Now we have oil at $75 a barrel. You know, that — the movement of prices is a function of the supply and demand, as we’ve already talked about, and it is not something that is, I think, going to be meaningfully affected by whatever happens to the Strategic Reserve. He has taken the position at this point in time to suspend the repurchase until the fall after we get through the driving season. So it’s a modest effort, it is a symbolic effort. But it is something that I think may help.
RUSSERT: In all honesty, it’s a political effort before the mid-term elections?
BODMAN: I wouldn’t call it a political effort. I would say that it’s an effort to effect the supply of oil in the system and to make a contribution to the reduction of prices.
RUSSERT: His standard was a crisis or a war. We don’t confront any of those at this moment in terms of the oil supply. This was a reserve in times of real crisis, and we’re stopping putting oil into it in order to effect the market price during the driving season. You just said that.
BODMAN: Tim, we’re here today, I would say that there’s evidence — there’s apparently some evidence that we have a crisis. There’s a lot of concern about this. And so the President is looking at everything, every tool at his disposal to put to work on it. I’m not embarrassed by that. And I think it’s the right thing to do.
RUSSERT: You think the President’s action is consistent with his campaign pledge in 2000?
BODMAN: I think that was 10 years ago or nine years ago, whenever it was, and it was some — times are different. And the situation has changed. Fundamentally, this reserve, the Strategic Reserve has not been used for purposes other than trying to deal with disruption. And so we have been very conservative in the use of it. And I think that stands this country in very good stead.
RUSSERT: But you said we are in a crisis.
BODMAN: I believe there are those who would call it that. The fact we’re here today.
RUSSERT: Do you call it a crisis?
BODMAN: I would call it that, yes. I think that there is great concern, you started out — you started out with the suggestion that it’s the number one issue on the minds of the American public. It’s something this President takes very seriously. It’s something the entire administration takes very seriously. And, you know, we’re doing everything we know how to do to deal with it that works. Not the things that we know for a fact do not work.
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So this is what it looks like when the house of cards starts to collapse…
April 30th, 2006 at 12:27 pmAnd, you know, we’re doing everything we know how to do to deal with it that works. Not the things that we know for a fact do not work.
That would be a first… usually they start out with the stuff that doesn’t work and then move to smoke and mirrors to cover up their errors.
April 30th, 2006 at 12:29 pmUm…well…he can do it because…well…it was a long time ago…things change…Clinton got a blowjob!
April 30th, 2006 at 12:37 pmI would have been more amazed if he could have come up with just one plausible reason instead of his internal fishing expedition. Dont you just love watching those lying bastards tightening their own metaphorical nooses! Come on rope.
April 30th, 2006 at 12:43 pmNote to self: Send more rope to these weak lying bastards…
April 30th, 2006 at 12:49 pmI do not know who this guy is, so I do not care what he thinks or says > lol.
April 30th, 2006 at 12:51 pmThis was an excercise in Cognitive dissonance happening in real time. It should be studied by students of psychology and philosophy as a classic example of this mental disorder.
April 30th, 2006 at 12:56 pmRUSSERT: You think the President’s action is consistent with his campaign pledge in 2000?
BODMAN: I think that was 10 years ago or nine years ago, whenever it was, and it was some — times are different.
Somebody get this idiot a calendar and a calculator… he thinks 2000 was 9 or 10 years ago… sheeesh what a putz!
April 30th, 2006 at 1:06 pmOT (somewhat) – In watching MTP today, it seemed that there was an unspoken understanding that big oil was the major player in bringing new fuels (ethanol, biodiesel, etc.) to market in the U.S. Isn’t that like having the fox in charge of the chicken coop? Maybe if they broke up these oil companies so they didn’t control everything we could get some real competition and more alternative products on the market faster. That, along with better fuel efficiency could bring us lower prices at the pump.
April 30th, 2006 at 1:10 pmThe Strategic Reserve is an insurance policy meant for a sudden disruption of our energy supply or for war.
Ok. So, we are at war. And Bush is a war-time President. There is a disruption in the market. Oil production from Iraq is so low the country has to import oil to meet its own needs.
It matters not that King George, in His infinite wisdom started this war. It was His right, using His Powers as Commander in Chief to send other people’s children to die for His “Noble Cause.” And it is His Right, His Duty, His Obligation to the People, as a War Time President to ease our pain by committing whaever resources are at His disposal to placate the population and thus stave off a popular uprising.
April 30th, 2006 at 1:23 pmThis Administration has been hemorrhaging “talent” since day one, and the pool is obviously getting thin. Recent appointees resemble some vintage Jerry Springer cast.
April 30th, 2006 at 1:30 pmPost 11 > that is what worries me > Bush is forcing Americans to stage an uprising to overthrow the government > revolutions are bloody, so I guess Bush wants to go out like Louis 14th of France?
April 30th, 2006 at 1:31 pmA little lesson in reading people. Did you notice when Bodman said, “And so we have been very conservative in the use of it.” he was shaking his head as if to say “no” ?
And again when he said, “It’s something this President takes very seriously. It’s something the entire administration takes very seriously.”
That time he topped it off by touching the American Flag lapel pin.
His body language suggest the opposite of what he is saying. Yet there is also the meta-message that the entire Administration has wrapped itself in the American Flag.
Watch the video. Watch how the actions mesh with what he is saying, and how they are directly opposite of what he says.
April 30th, 2006 at 1:31 pmCorrection > post 10 I mean!
April 30th, 2006 at 1:32 pmThis is going to be just like Larry Lindsey’s departure. This poor guy is used to telling the truth so he has to try to remember his Stooge party lines and winds up delivering a messy compromise of what should have been a very simple answer. The President changed his mind. That’s all I care to hear. Why? Because if he changed his mind it probably means he’s been told something twice and that he has to listen to things more than once. I know it’s a big , big task ahead to fill in his mind , where there is room left, for real domestic policies, just like LBJ did. I still think it is a shame to waste apparently honest people who want to do a good job, as some sort of a Polaroid damage control gesture and wind up by design, contributing to the transparent lack of legitimacy within the White House. Pretty simple, you blow your lines your fired. Brutal.
April 30th, 2006 at 1:38 pm# 13 – Briseadh na Faire – good catch!
I went back and watched the video and noticed that he shook his head as if to say no several times. It always coincided with a lie such as Bush takes this very seriously, the entire administration takes this very seriously, Bush is doing everything that he can to lower gas prices…etc
He obviously did not believe his own lies.
April 30th, 2006 at 1:50 pmI wonder if the Strike, possible, on Iran, or the sanctions wanted by the Iran Freedom Support Act [Another one of those backward names -Atoms for Peace yeh kno?]
109th CONGRESS
April 30th, 2006 at 1:51 pm1st Session
H. R. 282
To hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening behavior and to support a transition to democracy in Iran.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 6, 2005
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN (for herself, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. CHABOT, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. CANTOR, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr. BACHUS, Ms. BERKLEY, Mrs. BIGGERT, Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. CHANDLER, Mr. COX, Mr. CROWLEY, Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. FOLEY, Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey, Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois, Mr. KIRK, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. MICA, Mrs. MYRICK, Mr. NADLER, Mr. NORWOOD, Mr. NUNES, Mr. PENCE, Mr. PLATTS, Mr. PORTER, Mr. ROTHMAN, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin, Mr. SAXTON, Mr. SHERMAN, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. TANCREDO, Mr. WELLER, Mr. WEXLER, and Mr. WILSON of South Carolina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations
A BILL
To hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening behavior and to support a transition to democracy in Iran.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Iran Freedom Support Act’.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I–CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN
Sec. 101. Codification of sanctions.
TITLE II–AMENDMENTS TO THE IRAN AND LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996
Sec. 201. Multilateral regime.
Sec. 202. Imposition of sanctions.
Sec. 203. Termination of sanctions.
Sec. 204. Sunset.
Sec. 205. Clarification and expansion of definitions.
TITLE III–DEMOCRACY IN IRAN
Sec. 301. Declaration of Congress regarding United States policy toward Iran.
Sec. 302. Assistance to support democracy in Iran.
Sec. 303. Sense of Congress regarding designation of democratic opposition organizations.
http://www.theorator.com/bills109/hr282.html
Has anything to do with the fuel reserve flopping flipping
April 30th, 2006 at 1:53 pmSense of Congress Regarding Diplomatic Assistance- It is the sense of Congress that–
(1) contacts should be expanded with opposition groups in Iran that meet the criteria under subsection (b);
(2) support for a transition to democracy in Iran should be expressed by United States representatives and officials in all appropriate international fora;
(3) representatives of the Government of Iran should be denied access to all United States Government buildings;
(4) efforts to bring a halt to the nuclear weapons program of Iran, including steps to end the supply of nuclear components or fuel to Iran, should be intensified, with particular attention focused on the cooperation regarding such program–
(A) between the Government of Iran and the Government of the Russian Federation; and
(B) between the Government of Iran and individuals from China, Malaysia, and Pakistan, including the network of Dr. Abdul Qadeer (A. Q.) Khan;
April 30th, 2006 at 2:02 pm~~~
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan (born 1935, Bhopal, India) is a Pakistani Metallurgical Engineer widely regarded as the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons development programme. (His middle name is also, occasionally, rendered as Quadeer, Qadir or Gadeer and his given names are often abbreviated to A.Q.). In January 2004, he confessed to having been involved in a clandestine international network of nuclear weapons technology proliferation from Pakistan to Libya, Iran and North Korea. On February 5, 2004, the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, announced that he had pardoned Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan.
~~
This is some crazy Sheeeaht.
Go figger the ‘Cons’
#13 … Now when is the MSM going to catch onto the “Body Speaking Truth to Power”. I have seen many of these bush people lying through through their blood stain teeth but the body and facial expressions tell the truth . From the scratching of their nose to sliding their eyes sideways and casting their eyes downward . None can be trusted ,bush is playing us Americans while at the same time refusing to Tax his best buds Big Oil. we are being Raped.
When Facism Comes To America It will be Wrapped in The Flag and Carrying The Cross…..S. Lewis
April 30th, 2006 at 2:04 pmBody language – the subtle reflexive actions we use subconsciously, that exhibit the unspoken truth (or lies).
April 30th, 2006 at 2:23 pmWhat an addled old man Bodman seemed to be!! Thanks for the catch on the body language belying the drivel that he spewed!!
Styve
April 30th, 2006 at 2:39 pmI would say that the higher demand placed on the world’s oil supplies by China and India could be considered a “disruption of our energy supply”. Of course, the ideologues here at TP support Dem wars and Dem energy policy. That is what good little jackasses do!
April 30th, 2006 at 3:16 pmI would say that the higher demand placed on the world’s oil supplies by China and India could be considered a “disruption of our energy supplyâ€.
Comment by mighty aphrodite — April 30, 2006 @ 3:16 pm
You are so egocentric, I’m surprised you even know that India and China exist.
What, you prefer they not pull themselves up by their third world bootstaps after all? Make up your mind hypocrite.
April 30th, 2006 at 3:33 pmThat is what good little jackasses do!
Comment by mighty aphrodite — April 30, 2006 @ 3:16 pm
And big dumb just plain a$$es as yourself does is spew stupid remarks like the one above…..
April 30th, 2006 at 3:33 pmI would say that the higher demand placed on the world’s oil supplies by China and India could be considered a “disruption of our energy supplyâ€.
Comment by mighty aphrodite — April 30, 2006 @ 3:16 pm
This is what happens when everyone keeps having more and more babies. Too many people to share the limited resources we have.
April 30th, 2006 at 3:35 pm“That is what good little jackasses do!” —– nice to see that you righties haven’t grown up a single bit in the 5 years YOU have been running things. You know, if ONE of yo uhave a civil tongue in his or her head, it would be one thing. We might even be able to have a discussion about things that matter to the COUNTRY. But I have never seen such a batch of sore “winners” in my life. Didn’t your mommy EVER teach you about being a gracious person at all? You are a truly sad excuse for an adult. TRY actually having something intelligent to say… Oh, I’m sorry, that would require some actual THOUGHT.
April 30th, 2006 at 3:56 pmWhat is my head shaped like?
April 30th, 2006 at 4:10 pmHe screwed up. Here’s the answer:
“That was pre-9/11.”
Boom, discussion over.
This guy needs a spin coach.
April 30th, 2006 at 4:17 pmThis is off-topic but if you can, please check out:
GoodGoog – http://www.goodgoog.com/
It’s search with a charitable twist – using GoodGoog supports donations to America’s top charities.
April 30th, 2006 at 4:23 pmSpeaking of energy – it is the hope of many conservatives to wean ourselves from the stranglehold of crude suppliers from the Middle East, Nigeria, Venezuela, etc. We would love to see the technological advances which allow for alternative fuel sources to become a REALITY without having to resort to those little cars that resemble tin cans with wheels. In the meantime, as we concentrate our efforts on these new fuel sources, lets (GASP!) utilize the oil reserves WE have, and build another refinery or two for the first time in 30 years.
P.S. Will, thank you for your advice on civil discourse. The most vulgar posters are concentrated here as an excellent example on words “A normal Mom would not approve”.
April 30th, 2006 at 5:24 pmEverything is a charade with the Bush Regime, but they NO longer care if anyone notices their scams, because they are pirates who have NO honor, and the Congress is filled with spineless people who only care about themselves and their corporate donors who bribe them!
April 30th, 2006 at 5:26 pmWE have, and build another refinery or two for the first time in 30 years.
Comment by mighty aphrodite — April 30, 2006 @ 5:24 pm
As opposed to the oil companies and refinery companies shutting down all those they have, but we are not supposed to talk about that…..
April 30th, 2006 at 5:49 pmP.S. Will, thank you for your advice on civil discourse. The most vulgar posters are concentrated here as an excellent example on words “A normal Mom would not approveâ€.
Comment by mighty aphrodite — April 30, 2006 @ 5:24 pm
As the repeated receipient of the “Most Vulgar Poster on TP” award, you should go ahead and take all that credit. No really, you deserve full credit for your bad behavior. Really.
April 30th, 2006 at 6:13 pmPost 37 > call MA a IT, because IT does not know what sex IT is > lol.
April 30th, 2006 at 6:18 pmToday was a lovely spring day. Life is too short to be sitting at your computer yammering about how horrible the world is. Dont worry, you’ll think it is just as crappy tommorow.You can catterwall then.GO OUT AND ENJOY THE REST OF TODAY. I’m gonna go back up on the deck to watch the sunset. Watching sunrises and sunsets WILL make you feel better. Live life in the outdoors, not in front of this dumbass plastic prison called “my PC.†I’ve already wasted 2 minutes informing you of the weather. GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!…….NOW!
April 30th, 2006 at 6:44 pmGood advice post 39 > I was just outside and came back to checkout TP postings!
April 30th, 2006 at 6:48 pmOWH don’t know where you live but it is raining in Kentucky…..
April 30th, 2006 at 6:51 pmClif – Let’s use the tax code (Liberals favourite way to make Americans “do the right thing”) and get those refineries re-fitted. We could sell off existing refineries to competitors and see how that increses output until we can re-tool for ethanol, hydrogen, etc.
April 30th, 2006 at 7:03 pmUnbelieved posts – “As the repeated receipient of the “Most Vulgar Poster on TP†award, you should go ahead and take all that credit. No really, you deserve full credit for your bad behavior.” –
*****As the “Unfailingly MOST Polite Voice of Dissent”, I must note that your post in sadly, a lie. Having never been banned for vulgarity or coarse language proves you and the truth are strangers.
April 30th, 2006 at 7:08 pmMA you mean the TAX code written by lobbyists for the oil companies enacted by congressional personnel who got campaign contributions from the oil industry, and today enacted by the executive branch which is lead by two oil industries executives who have basically toed the oil industry line even K3en Lays before bush forgot who he was, and Dick Cheney who had the oil executives in on his “secret” energy task force, that tax code, why not let the oil companies use their money and not ask the other tax payers make it up for those rich slobs?
And exactly what competitors do you have in mind,,,, china,,,,Dubai,,,,Mexico,,,,Russia,,,, because almost all American companies have not even wanted to build new ones it would lower the profits from the ones they already operate, and given the times like this where the refineries not supply is the real bottle neck, the profits from refinery operations are great….
April 30th, 2006 at 7:14 pmMA I actually agree IRI is more vulgar,
you instead more stupid……
April 30th, 2006 at 7:20 pmSmack, cognitive dissoance is not a mental disorder.
April 30th, 2006 at 7:27 pmi was under the impression that the democrats were the flip floppers,love the rats all ratting out on each other.
April 30th, 2006 at 7:42 pmClif – I agree with you about lobbyists – from oil concerns to labour unions, a pro-abort or pro-birth group. I favour a flat tax on private, public and corporate income. No more withholding from employees. – they would be much more cognizant of the amount of money our government wastes through vile earmarks and pork if they had to write a check or debit monthly. (I suppose this defines “stupidity” in your thin book – but your defintions sheet really could use updating.)
P.S. Your notation of I-R-I as vulgar omits the champions of the vulgarians, Ryan and his sister.
April 30th, 2006 at 7:49 pmAs the “Unfailingly MOST Polite Voice of Dissentâ€, I must note that your post in sadly, a lie. Having never been banned for vulgarity or coarse language proves you and the truth are strangers.
Comment by mighty aphrodite — April 30, 2006 @ 7:08 pm
Then how come you’re the only one patting yourself on the back. you’re NEVER polite. Rude, crude and obnoxious are general descriptives applied to your posts habitually.
So much for ignoring me. I knew you couldn’t. You like any attention no matter how much. Sad little man.
April 30th, 2006 at 7:55 pmP.S. Your notation of I-R-I as vulgar omits the champions of the vulgarians, Ryan and his sister.
Comment by mighty aphrodite — April 30, 2006 @ 7:49 pm
You are a drama queen.
There are a few here even more vulgar than IRI, and on occasion, it is you MA. IRI might be outrageous, but it’s an act. Just like your act that you are a married woman with four children and a law career. If you had any two of those things you’d neither have the time nor the inclination to be in here. My friends with two children and a career hardly have time for themselves. They don’t spend free moments on blogs. They spend it sleeping…
April 30th, 2006 at 7:59 pmWatching this man’s performance, one is reminded of a fish, flopping around on land, desperately trying to find its way home.
If my theory of how Bush chooses his cabinet is correct (he purposely surrounds himself with people so incompetent, they make him look good), this man will stay. If not, or if Bodman recognizes how poor his performance was, he’ll be leaving .. soon.
April 30th, 2006 at 8:08 pmP.S. Your notation of I-R-I as vulgar omits the champions of the vulgarians, Ryan and his sister.
Comment by mighty aphrodite — April 30, 2006 @ 7:49 pm
FAR FROIM IT miss you can’t be real…RYAN has never advocated a small section of the vulgarties of those recanted by IRI, but since you and IRI are bascially fellow neo-con appologist travellors you’r be loath to critize his rantings against the basic humanity all GOD’s children posess…….still have the neo-con log stuck in the eye eh?
April 30th, 2006 at 8:13 pmAgain folks, mighty aphrodite is a troll. A troll is a creature who lives under the bridge. It doesn’t care where you’re going or why. It doesn’t care what’s going on above the bridge. It just grabs any ankle it can reach. It’s easy to free your ankle (with a stick or something). Just ignore trolls and they go away. Pay attention to them and they think they’re strong.
April 30th, 2006 at 8:44 pmmarie – i’m late to this thread – i saw parts of MTP this a.m., only because durbin was on… the few times i heard him speak, i had to nod and whoop – he seemed to hold up and hold on to the right ideas…
April 30th, 2006 at 9:47 pmif you watched it, or know of it – what did you think?
Why do we have high oil prices? Iraq ! Iraq was a major supplier of oil before the war and now it can’t even meet it’s own needs. I’m surprised the Democrats don’t even mention this. Of course the Repubs won’t.
April 30th, 2006 at 11:44 pm# 55 Jane : You are correct.
May 1st, 2006 at 2:57 amDick Durbin’s look is a classic…if this era we live in wasn’t so utterly sad and pathetic. Russert should have stopped the interview there and had Bodman leave.
May 1st, 2006 at 7:28 am#54 kATY
May 1st, 2006 at 9:51 amI saw MTP on the evening re-broadcast.
Durbin well represented the Democratic perspective on MTP. Bodman was a joke.
The energy men actually defended obscene profits.
thanks marie – good to know…
May 1st, 2006 at 11:48 ambodman’s “9or10 years ago” remark – well, it sure SEEMS that long, if not longer… can’t take much more…
Happy May Day to the Socialists, Communists, Progressives and all other fellow travelers who enjoy this and other Leftist sites.
FYI, the freeways are a breeze here in San Diego County this morning with the “Day without Illegal Immigrants”. Can we do this more often?
‘Til later…
May 1st, 2006 at 1:02 pmwhat happened to “happy may day, comrades” , aphro?
May 1st, 2006 at 2:58 pm(as on another thread) you must have thought that was very clever…
did you figure out that it lumped you together with us libruls?
gasp!
I love The Onion. Did you see the article on ‘Intelligent Falling’ in tribute to the Kansas City Board of Education’s edict on Intelligent Design. I sent it to friends who thought it was a serious piece and started the usual rants of frustration against the extreme right.
November 20th, 2006 at 7:29 am