Conservatives Try To Take Credit For Drop In Gas Prices: ‘The Market Is Responding’ To Our Political Stunts
Conservatives Try To Take Credit For Drop In Gas Prices: ‘The Market Is Responding’ To Our Political Stunts
House conservatives, engaging in a third day of political stunts on the floor of the House, are now claiming that gas prices across the nation have dropped in response to their theatrics calling for a vote on offshore oil drilling. “I think the market is responding to the fact that we are here talking,” said Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) in a GOP press conference today.
Shadegg claimed that “gas prices have gone down” because of the “pressure” coming from pro-drilling conservatives:
“Gas prices have gone down, and they’ve gone down in part because the market is realizing that this kind of pressure from the Congress may actually cause a change in American policy,” said Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.), one of the ringleaders of the protest demanding that Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) bring Congress back to vote on oil exploration measures.
But actual experts don’t believe the political stunts have anything to do with the drop in prices. In fact, oil and gas prices are down because of simple economics as the high energy prices and the weak economy are “curbing consumer demand” for gas:
Oil prices kept falling Tuesday, sinking as low as $118 a barrel on growing concerns that a U.S. economic slowdown and high energy costs are curbing consumer demand for gasoline and other petroleum products
One analyst told the Los Angeles Times that demand has “finally hit a wall” while another put it more bluntly to the AP: “$4-a-gallon gasoline has clearly killed demand.” As evidence of this decreased demand, the Transportation Department recently reported that Americans drove nearly 10 billion fewer miles in May 2008 than May 2007.
Conservatives have previously tried to give credit for lower prices to President Bush’s call for offshore drilling, but even the White House rejected that logic. Though they’re crediting their theatrics for the drop in prices, The Hill reports that the conservatives refused to “answer questions about whether they would take the blame if gas prices go up again.”
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Wait a minute -- I thought gas prices going up were the fault of the "democrat congress"???
So since that "democrat congress" is still in place, wouldn't they get the credit for the drop in oil prices?
I tell ya, a training in logic sure is a handicap when dealing with right-wingers.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:53 pmIn other news, the nation's deer population took aim at the GOP. They contend their increasing presence on highways are making people too scared to drive, therefore decreasing gas prices.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:53 pmThe only thing that the republican'ts have accomplished with their Kabuki theater is to make a spectacle of themselves and hide out in Washington instead of returning to face their constituents who no doubt will want to know why they obstructed votes and passage of several energy-related bills during the session.
Republican'ts -- the new Castrati.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:53 pmBuffalo chips.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:54 pmWhat a deluded, arrogant, pickle-headed right wing jerk.
Noone is watching your kindergarten show.get over yourself.
Pathetic, frigging pathetic
tony and lido
If speculators were factoring wacky stunts like this to influence gas prices, maybe the government should regulate them out of business.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:56 pmweren't these the same waaahhhhhpublicans who,when they held control of both houses, placed the blame of high fuel prices on "supply and demand". Then all the neoclown trolls felt the need to give us a lesson in economics. AAAhhhh the good ole days.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:57 pmSo oil prices have fallen 20% at the wellhead and gas prices have fallen 7% at the pump. Somebody is still making money somewhere.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:02 pmI'm sure that it's drilling in the ANWR and off the coasts that must be driving prices down because it couldn't be that those nasty, but nonexistant, speculators are taking their profits and skeddadling! ;-0
August 5th, 2008 at 3:04 pmThis is like when they took credit for the GI Bill, which they all voted against.
But as soon as the Bill passed they all broke their arms patting each other on the back for a job well done.
Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato
August 5th, 2008 at 3:04 pm$3.89 is still high as hell for gas.
Idiots
RIP
August 5th, 2008 at 3:05 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
“I think the market is responding to the fact that we are here talking,” said Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ)
Wow, this guy is as dumb as the trolls we have infesting TP.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:08 pm.
WHAT WILL THE PRICE OF GAS BE IN 5 YEARS? 10 YEARS?
"Drill, drill, drill..."
.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:09 pmMarch $3.258
April $3.441
May $3.764
June $4.065
This rise occurred while customers cut back their miles, 1.8% in April and 3.7% in May. The public is well aware of the record profits these prices produced for oil companies.
These political supermen dropped gas prices to $3.87.
Record oil company profits, kryptonite. Claiming credit for the small decrease, flat out delusional. That's America's Republican Party to the average citizen.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:09 pmGas prices started dropping prior to the November 2006 election, a full dollar, but the very first day after that election, the price began to go up again, and continued going up for the past two years to the price we now have. I feel it is a coordinated stunt between Republicans and the oil companies, and that after this November election, the prices will again go back up, and probably top $5.00 by the end of 2008.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:15 pmOil traders hardly take stock of political theatrics. What a bunch of repug egos suffering from their own inflation of flatulence.
Demand is down. The dollar is gaining strength.The Fed did not lower rates today.
And, much to the chagrin of McCain's website, touting the free Obama Tire Gauge for a $25 donation, and their mocking, people ARE learning ways to make their cars get more out of a gallon of gas.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:16 pmIt is as has been projected by the cynical side of the street. The gas prices are going down because the election is getting close and the oil companies hope to accomplish at least two of three things:
1. We (defined as the stupid driving public) will look at three dollar ($3.00) a gallon gasoline and say: "Wow!! Gasoline sure has gone back down." Forgetting, of course, that the price is still twice what it should be. But we, like McSenile have a short collective memory.
2. McUsed and the bushco clones can claim that they are responsible for the drop (it has started already) in the hope that maybe one Rethuglican incumbent will be reelected. and/or
3. That the Dems will be so elated that they will forget about an excess profits tax long enough for a few billion dollars in "Campaign" contributions to corrupt the new Pols.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:18 pmTired Of Fighting Says:
$3.89 is still high as hell for gas.
Especially since it was about 1.40 before Bush took office.
Glad I have my Shadow ACE to ride to work.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:21 pmWe should take oil and grow corn and then turn the corn into fuel to replace using oil. It will take alot of oil but think how much oil it will save!
August 5th, 2008 at 3:22 pmI taste metal..the Republicans are giving me a stroke.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:22 pmAnd by snapping my fingers I am single handedly keeping the hippos away.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:23 pmYou don't see any hippos do you?
The Republicans has as much to do with lowering the prices as they did with the initial increase in prices... seriously.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:24 pmOur last election year saw the lowest average gas price in October. It fell to an average $2.24 before Democrats took control of both houses.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/mer/pdf/pages/sec9_6.pdf
August 5th, 2008 at 3:24 pmIf Shadegg is now claiming credit for declining prices in doing this little vaudeville act, then I'm just as sure he will accept the blame for the prices going up during the past two years as they have done nothing in the form of a comprehensive energy program for the country, or to reign in the oil Goliaths.
Put two oil men in the White House, allow one to have secret meetings with the energy heads, and presto chango, $4.00 a gallon gas! Give the oil companies royalty-free drilling rights, allow them to bottle-up producing wells, and give them much unneeded tax breaks - and that's your policy?
Shedegg, are you and the rest or your republican azzwipes, ready to take the blame for the $2.50+ per gallon increase if you are now going to take the credit for a 30 cent reduction? Give me a break...
August 5th, 2008 at 3:25 pmYou miss the message. The Republicans are gathering free publicity by their theatrics. Too many will believe their narrative by the election. Democrats could prevent this by responding aggressively. How many bills have the Republicans killeed through filibuster? A lot but you probably cannot really remember which ones. I know that the average voter does not. I speak to these average people every day in my retail store. They do not believe that the Republicans have been obstructionist. However, they believe that the Democrats are trying to keep oil prices high.
The Democrats could force issues to the public view simply by forcing the Republicans to actually filibuster. Think of the air time and the discussions. The television coverage of the Republicans wasting time on tying up legislation. Think opf the rancor when the public sees the Republicans filibustering a bill to support veterans while the Democratic noise machine points out all of the other bills and public priorities that the Republicans are tying up.
I hear too much defeatism from Democrats. Too much of what we cannot do while the Republicans dance around us.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:26 pmYou miss the message. The Republicans are gathering free publicity by their theatrics. Too many will believe their narrative by the election. Democrats could prevent this by responding aggressively. How many bills have the Republicans killeed through filibuster? A lot but you probably cannot really remember which ones. I know that the average voter does not. I speak to these average people every day in my retail store. They do not believe that the Republicans have been obstructionist. However, they believe that the Democrats are trying to keep oil prices high.
The Democrats could force issues to the public view simply by forcing the Republicans to actually filibuster. Think of the air time and the discussions. The television coverage of the Republicans wasting time on tying up legislation. Think opf the rancor when the public sees the Republicans filibustering a bill to support veterans while the Democratic noise machine points out all of the other bills and public priorities that the Republicans are tying up.
I hear too much defeatism from Democrats. Too much of what we cannot do while the Republicans dance around us.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:26 pmRemember -- it is ALL psychological; that's the way the market works. It has nothing to do with a drop in demand because $4.00 a gallon proved to be the tipping point for consumers. Their stupidity makes my head hurt.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:26 pmSo if I understand the "logic" of the Republics hiding out in the darkened House chamber, their three days of speechifying accompanied by absolutely no substantive change in the supply of crude has lowered prices. By that "logic" I respectfully suggest that the Republics agree to keep talking -- forever if necessary -- while we continue to protect ANWR and the coastal waters. That way everybody gets what they want. The magic of jabber will keep prices down without anyone going to the expense and environmental cost of drilling. Thank you for proving that we don't need to actually do anything to solve the energy crisis and keep up the good work you selfless Republics!
August 5th, 2008 at 3:26 pmHow much of the public will buy this crap as we all know the MSM is an infomercial for the goppers.
OT:kgoradio.com
the 10PM hour, the issue of Presidential Directive NSPD-51/Homeland Security came up.
according to wikipedia:
"Directive 51" redirects here. Directive 51 can also refer to Hitler's order for the fortification of the Atlantic Wall.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:27 pmI suppose these idiots don’t realize that gas prices will be back up to $4+/gal by Labor Day weekend. They don’t call them speculators for nothing.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:27 pmClumberfeet Says:
And by snapping my fingers I am single handedly keeping the hippos away.
You don’t see any hippos do you?
now if that only worked on Republicans.......
August 5th, 2008 at 3:29 pmSo tell me, Why didn't they start talking back when gas was ONLY $3.00
August 5th, 2008 at 3:30 pmThey could have talked it back to $2.99.
Huh? Are they delusional? How can they reconcile their assertion that when gas prices go up, it's a matter of supply and demand, but when they go down, it's a result of their political stunts?
And as long as they are claiming credit in fantasyland, what's stopping them from claiming credit for the fact that the earth hasn't collided with any asteroids lately?
It's fairly obvious that the drop in gas prices are more closely linked with the drop in the price of crude (down from $147 to $118 a barrel) -- which is linked to the fact that astronomical prices are causing demand to fall.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12400801/
But let's play "let's pretend" for a moment. Let's pretend the Republicans went to the oil companies and sold them on the idea that if they lowered their prices temporarily, it would give their stunts additional leverage, leading to a vote on offshore and ANWR drilling leases that would favor the oil companies. In such a scenario, does anybody think that a temporary drop in price is worth providing the oil companies with more power and more profits than they already have?
August 5th, 2008 at 3:31 pmGawd. Could these Repukes be any bigger buffoons?
I dunno; they keep surprising me.
And the really sad thing is that the Amurkin sheeple are just eating up all this silly "kabuki theatre" (thanks to whoever for this) like it was gospel truth.
"Wa-a-a-a-l, Lurline, it must be true! They done said it on the teevee!!"
I despair for America. I really do.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:33 pmIf memory serves me correctly, prices started falling after talks of clamping down on the 'speculation' business going on.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:35 pmralph the wonder llama Says:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wait a minute — I thought gas prices going up were the fault of the “democrat congress”???
So since that “democrat congress” is still in place, wouldn’t they get the credit for the drop in oil prices?
Actually, according to John McCain, the high oil prices are mainly the fault of the junior Senator from Illinois.
But, now that Congress is no longer in session, the Republicans are using this time to get down to work to lower oil prices. Without all those pesky Democrats around to keep the prices high, the congressional Republicans can lower oil prices as much as they want.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:36 pmJMOHR Says:
August 5th, 2008 at 3:38 pmI hear too much defeatism from Democrats. Too much of what we cannot do while the Republicans dance around us.
Great post. So many think that Dems control both Houses. Not quite. Control today must be of a super majority. And with a repub president there is little then that can be done. However, as you seem to be saying and I agree, the leadership is lacking in both Houses. Reid reminds me of Alan Colmes (hand-picked by Hannity to be his "foil"). Reid is incapable of inspiring. And Pelosi is the worse excuse for leadership in the House in 50 years.
maybe if they talk about reducing CO2 emissions next, but not actually do anything, they can solve global climate change next. its worked great so far right?
August 5th, 2008 at 3:38 pmJMOHR Says:
The Republicans are gathering free publicity by their theatrics. Too many will believe their narrative by the election. Democrats could prevent this by responding aggressively. How many bills have the Republicans killeed through filibuster? A lot but you probably cannot really remember which ones. I know that the average voter does not. I speak to these average people every day in my retail store. They do not believe that the Republicans have been obstructionist. However, they believe that the Democrats are trying to keep oil prices high.
You have said it best... I have blogged here and other places trying to get this particular message out and too many just do not get it.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:43 pmThe goppers have obstructed over 84 times, a record history and even publicly stated they would do this so they could blame the dems for getting nothing done.... to make a short campaign phrase of the do noting democratic led congress. And as they have the MSM, they may just convince the public of this lie.
(randi's site is back!!! homework, everyone!)
The Republican Energy Plan? Secret Meetings with Big Oil and Gas and Kenny Boy Lay et al which resulted in a Bloody Oil War, BILLIONS in Tax Credits to BIG OIL and just to shut you up a $100,000 Tax Credit to buy a nice big gas guzzling SUV!! There’s your Energy Plan Republican Style. How’d that work out for you?
Review!
Cheney’s Secret Energy Meetings
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071701987.html
Bush gives 16.2 Billion in Tax Breaks to Oil Companies in 2001
August 5th, 2008 at 3:46 pmhttp://www.ctj.org/pdf/energy01.pdf
2003 Bush gives $100,000 tax credit to buy an SUV
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=97505
.
(... randi's site ...)
Now the Republicans are OUTRAGED. OUTRAGED I TELL YOU!
Before the “sit in stunt” that House Republicans pulled on Friday Senate Democrats offered 4 different amendments that addressed the Energy Crisis. All 4 were rejected by Senate Republicans including amendments on offshore drilling, oil shale production, nuclear power and a wide-ranging GOP energy bill. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) rejected the offer
http://congressnow.gallerywatch.com/Subject.aspx?subject=Environment
Even the White House says it’s a stunt and nothing more. Then he left for Communist China, who hopes to have and use ALL the oil. No wonder we can’t get the GOP to agree that if you DRILL HERE YOU SELL IT HERE. http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/04/gop-tea-party-energy/
August 5th, 2008 at 3:49 pmactually there were SIX (6) that she just read... and she says she was told there were TEN (10) bills that repugliCONS blocked.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:51 pm.
Barack Obama needs to have his October surprize:
In the last week of October he heavily campaigns that he will break up Big Oil and keep the oil here.
Heard this on Thom Hartman... and it was also suggested Obama wait until that week so Big Oil will not have enough time for their smear ads.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:54 pmWhat has not been brought up in the discussion before is that high oil prices are starting to have a cascade effect on the economy. As the price of oil increases, the price of basic products also increases. In addition, the ability of the individual to absorb the increased prices of the fuel puts a damper on optional travel. This lowers the number of shopping jaunts which lowers the opportunity for 'what the heck' shopping decisions. Since the manufacturers have decreased demand, they cut back on production and employment. This in turn puts a further damper on spending which puts a further damper on production. Less wear and tear on the vehicles used for shipping (remember he decreased production), travel and local driving puts a damper on the manufacturers of automobiles, truck and airplanes. In addition Americans are buying up compact junkers (which are soaring in price (not value)) in order to leave the Hummer in the garage.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:05 pmUp to the point in time when oil prices started to soar, we had an economy that was barely able to maintain its forward momentum and in fact was losing ground. Now it is tottering towards the edge.
I live in a tourist area of Florida and hear many tongues when I go shopping or visit downtown. People from Europe arrive here with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a credit card. They leave with two or three suitcases full of inexpensive American loot.
Isn't it funny that McCain had a commerical/Ad for his election that implied high gas prices were Obama's Fault. Now, that they are going down, they want to claim it is because of them. I just can't trust a man that wants to deceive others in order to get elected. If they need to make false statements in order to get elected, then they cannot be trusted.
Just like his ad implying that Obama thinks air pressure in tires is going to save the world. Of course this is not what Obama is implying or anything near this. Yet McCain will do his best to deceive those that will fall for his lies.
Sad way to get votes
August 5th, 2008 at 4:05 pmI believe the Republicons.
Let's lock them in the House Chambers, sans food, water and bathroom, until gas goes back to $1.50 a gallon. The same price before the Skippy-in-chief crime family took office.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:06 pmhas anyone checked the recent additions to these reps re-election coffers?
they're not up there for free, ya know...
August 5th, 2008 at 4:06 pm... not much of a surprise now, is it? ...
August 5th, 2008 at 4:08 pmI sent my last post too soon:
August 5th, 2008 at 4:08 pmOil has priced itself out of the market and Americans have taken the only option that they have - decreasing demand which ripples throughout the economy.
TripleKick 7 Says:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
this kind of congressional incompetence regarding energy will be dealt with in November.
Yep, sure does. Looks like the Democrats will pick up at least 6 seats in the Senate and 8 seats in the House in November.
http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Senate/Maps/Aug05-s.html
August 5th, 2008 at 4:11 pmTK, I went over this with Daryll earlier, but I don't mind repeating if it will help educate you a little bit.
According to pollingreport-dot-com, the latest approval ratings for Congress are 22%. In fact, they don't list a poll at 9%.
But breaking that down by party, Democrats in Congress get a 36% approval rating.
Republicans get 18%.
Those polls all come from the last week in July. So it appears as though, while Congressional approval is low, it's actually the public's opinion of Republicans in Congress that is driving down that number.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:11 pmNot half as tough as it must be for you to be so confused all the time.
That must really suck.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:13 pmWhy thank you, DribbleDick 7 (for now), for that link.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:17 pmBy the linked poll, it states that:
The Democrats lead by ten in the Generic Congressional Ballot this week. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone tracking results for this week find that, if Congressional elections were held today, 46% of voters would vote for their district’s Democratic candidate, while 36% would choose the Republican candidate.
Soooo, even though Congress is doing a piss poor job, it appears the voters don't feel confident in voting for Republicans, now does it. P'haps because of all the unnecessary filibustering and other fcking around by the right?
"love the rapist... that's what theyre telling you... and it's YOUR fault youre getting raped!..." ("theyre" = the CONS)
-randi rant (paraphrased mostly)
August 5th, 2008 at 4:28 pmThe price is dropping because of the upcoming election. It's simple. Anyone that's old enough to have lived through a few have seen this trick before.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:44 pmIt's unfortunate, but there are too many Americans who believe the bull that sprouts from Republican minds.
I have an (ex) friend who's very well off, well educated, greedy etc... the perfect republican. He believes everything he hears out of Fox etc... How can there be hope for this country when educated people believe this bull.
I'd recommend that someone at ThinkProgress look into the fact that gasoline prices have fallen EVERY election year since 1996. The President engages in practices that promote the global supply, they often open up "the strategic reserve" (expect that in early October), and refineries, which artificially raise prices by cutting production, then increase their production to 90% or more of capacity to suddenly flood the market with gasoline and lower the price at the pump in time for the election.
George Bush suddenly stopped his saber-rattling and sent a diplomatic envoy to Iran several weeks ago, and the drop in oil prices was almost instantaneous. It took another two weeks of falling oil prices to reflect that decrease at the pump.
Here in Houston, in 2006, the price of regular unleaded steadily fell for months just to just $1.99/gal the day of the November election. The next day, gas prices began to rise again.
If you look back at the timeline, the price of oil started to fall *before* the Republican theatrics and *after* Bush's Iran envoy.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:47 pmMugsy, don't forget the worldwide drop in demand. The Reich's whole drilling meme goes in the tank if we actually start conserving energy. Their whole premise is based on inevitably increasing demand, even though there's no reason to assume it's a valid assumption.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:01 pmThese Republican Drama Queens really have no shame-- their bloated egos must carry them though the day, ignorant of anything honest. They'll take credit for anything if it promotes oil, bigotry, hatred, or enriching the rich. One must wonder if they ever recognize what clowns they have become in the eyes of the majority of Americans, plus the huge majority of the rest of the world. They are destroying their party & don't even realize it.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:10 pmOil futures typically go out weeks to months, not years, so it's disingenous to the extreme to claim that drilling, which won't produce anything for years, has any effect on today's prices.
It's also interesting to note that if they were correct, they would then be admitting just how much speculation is playing a role in the price of gas, speculation that's in large part due to the changes in rules brought about by the Bush administration.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
August 5th, 2008 at 5:12 pmDasm: If they are destroying their party, then why is Obama falling behind in the polls. They already know that they will lose seats in Congress and must fight an uphill battle for the presidency. However, unlike Democrats, they will not roll over. Their purpose is not to improve their image but rather to diminish the image and support for Democrats. This is what being a drama queen can do for you especially with Low Information Voters, i.e. most Americans.
We may not like advertising, slogans and marketing; but we are going to have to get with it. Their tactics disrupt our message, diminish our credibility and reduce our chances of winning. If the Republicans are right about Democratic elitism, it would be in one area, i.e. our dismissal of the necessity to conduct retail politics.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:18 pmHey, Trippie! Obama just said that water is wet.
Any comment?
August 5th, 2008 at 5:23 pmJMOHR. It depends on which poll one quotes. Though, I am coming to the realization that it just plain doesn't matter what Obama says or does. He is being defined by his opponent and the media but, I still like his chances. Because, no matter what the opposition makes up, Flippy McSpin just keeps on talking. And the more he talks, the less qualified he appears.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PRESIDENTIAL_RACE_AP_POLL?SITE=RIPAW&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
August 5th, 2008 at 5:27 pmDo these guys have any idea how stupid they look and sound? Gas prices started going down over two weeks ago. They didn't start their stunt until two days ago.
Between their "theater of the absurd" on the floor of Congress to McCain running around shouting about inflating tires, they are looking like a bunch of clowns. Oh well, all the better for us in November.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:30 pmJMOHR Says:
Dasm: If they are destroying their party, then why is Obama falling behind in the polls.
Please don't tell me that you are believing the polls. They are being rigged to make it look like it really is a horse race. The pollsters and the MSM don't want this to look like a cake walk for Obama because that will cost them money. It's in their best interest to "cook the books" on this race and make it look like it's closer than it really is.
Why don't you go out and find the places that are polling the states and compiling probably electoral college votes. They all have Obama beating McCain handily.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:33 pmIt's all good in the world of conservatism...Everytime their ideas screw up the country, blame Democrats and the liberal media! If something happens that might positively affect the country, take credit for it, even though they had nothing to do with it...
August 5th, 2008 at 6:08 pmIn all fairness, if it hadn't been for the conservative, lockstep, rush into a false war, we wouldn't have had $4.00 gas this year. So in a way they were responsible.
Another factor is that a rising element will often overshoot the mark and then correct to the level which it passed by. So the drop of 20 cents a gallon could just be correcting the overshoot.
Another factor is that simple economics state that when prices rise too much, people back off from using the product. This naturally leads to a higher supply/demand. Just raise the cost of a soda to $ 50 a can and see if folks stop buying it.
In short, nothing magical here at all.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:57 pmI sense that somehow the democrats want to take credit for the drop in prices.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:38 pmRepublicans do the work of the people?! Yeah, haha, that's a hoot, pmarvk2... the only PEOPLE they work for are the corporations, and if it weren't for a conservative clerk inserting that into the commentary on a case, which means IT'S NOT LEGALLY BINDING...
If you truly think the Republicans are working for the people, well I guess then Iraq really did attack us on 9/11, that Saddam had WMDs aimed at NYC, which were fast enough to strike within 45 minutes, and that drilling in ANWR will bring down the price of gas to a dollar a gallon...
you're too much!
August 6th, 2008 at 1:51 amI meant to say that corporations are not people, but unfortunately RePUBLICANS seem to think they're more people than us...
August 6th, 2008 at 1:51 amNever mind that the Republicans REFUSED to ban price gouging, rein in the speculators, release oil from the petroleum reserve, their agenda is more drilling, not designed to ease the pain of commuters, but to enrich Big Oil. Last time I checked, Big Oil was not made up of people. Corporations are not people, but I guess to conservatives who have spent years oppressing people and trying to rob them of their humanity, it's only natural that a soulless corporation be considered more a person than the people they oppress...
August 6th, 2008 at 2:05 am#68,
no no no, credit just cannot go to the republicans for the drop in gas prices.
Because they have NOTHING to do with the price of gas or oil dropping. It's, as has been noted upthread, simple supply and demand. When the price of something goes up to the point where large portions of the populace can't afford it, demand drops. When demand drops, then so does the price of the commodity in question. This is basic macro-economics. A bunch of whiney, obstructionist bloviating warthogs yammering about something that is nothing but yet another give away to big oil is the solution to NOTHING!
Sorry republicans, I know that you are still in session even in the face of pelosi and the democraps running away from a vote that would help us end our energy crisis. So, while many republicans are forgoing vacation and still debating the energy issue thus “doing the work of the people”, pelosi and her minions are enjoying 5 weeks of vacation while the average american is still paying 4.00 per gallon. Go figure. Thanks Nancy!!!
Drilling off the coasts of the US (including ANWR) would do absolutely NOTHING to lower the price of oil or gas today (or much in 10 years for that matter). First, it's 10 years to get the oil to market if the oil companies even decide to actually drill on the new leases (rather than leveraging them as assets when dealing with their other global customers like China and India which they've already done with the hundreds of acres that we've already given them in Alaska). Second, and more importantly, the entire premise of drilling saving consumers money is predicated on the fact that the oil companies will pass the savings (read as: windfall profits) on to the consumer. They have a long-established track record of doing exactly the opposite! What makes you think that they'll decide to become altruistic now? To your "vacation" dig at the Dems in Congress, how many days of vacation did the 109th Congress take? Oh yeah, they worked a total of 97 days and what did they do to solve this issue in that 97 days (and this was a crisis then as well)? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is what they did about it because there was no political hay to make from it. This is political theatricality of the worst sort!
No folks, the real driver behind the drop in prices was our socialist savior Obama who suggested that we just fill our tires with air. Just keep air in your tires folks, and watch the prices continue to drop.
Obama had nothing to do with the drop in prices either but then he never claimed, unlike these Republican Congressmen, that he did have anything to do with it. And, moron, ensuring that your tires are properly inflated has long-ago been proven as an easy and efficient means of improving a car's mileage. Even the auto manufacturers agree this is a good idea (and Sen. McCain conceded that point yesterday also in case you hadn't noticed.)
yeah right! So Barack, when can I expect to receive my free, government issued, tire gauge?
Wouldn't you rather buy one with a childish and inaccurate political slogan on it from John McCain for $25.
In a dramatic revolt against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) refusal to allow Congress to vote on legislation to increase American-made energy and lower gas prices, House Republicans today refused to leave the House floor after Speaker Pelosi adjourned the House for the five-week August break, staying in the chamber to speak directly to Americans watching the historic event unfold above the floor in the House gallery.
It wasn't Nancy Pelosi who voted against cloture on at least 6 amendments to the energy bill that would have addressed this issue sensibly, it was these same Republicans who are now grandstanding in order to score some cheap political points and deflect from the fact that your selection to be the next leader of the free world can't remember how he voted last week and is, essentially, losing his mental faculties in front of our very eyes.
Censorship is for those who cannot handle the truth, TP!!!
What censorship are you referring to? We have a system here whereby individuals who lend nothing to the conversation are voted off the island by the community. You don't get flagged because we don't share your ideology, you get flagged because you spew your ideology without any thought for things like fact or staying on topic.
Perhaps you should do some homework about how simple economics works in the global market before you start spewing nonsense about solving a crisis that was manufactured by your side of the aisles' malfeasance and the greed of the oil companies. The simple reality is that we could easily have $40 a barrel oil again but we never will because Exxon Mobil and BP and Chevron wont sacrifice any of their largesse (which is earned on our backs) and your Reps and Sens wont ever crawl out of their pockets.
August 6th, 2008 at 6:49 am“I think the market is responding to the fact that we are here talking,”
Well then, by all means, stay there and keep talking.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm