Liberal Repercussion

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

Bush's Broken Oil Promise: Open the Spigots

As OPEC prepares to meet tomorrow, June 5th, it has become apparent that President Bush is breaking his campaign pledge to "jawbone OPEC," to increase production. Last year Bush said OPEC was the "main reason," for high gas prices, but this year, as gas price have reached $2 a gallon in some regions, his Administration is rejecting "begging or publicly bashing to get more oil," with a "gentler approach" to OPEC.

Bush Now: Don't Pressure OPEC

Bush Administration is Taking "Gentler Approach" With OPEC, Abraham Said Bush Administration Rejects Begging or Bashing for More Oil. According to the New York Times, the Bush Administration is opting for a "gentler approach to its key oil-rich allies, particularly the Persian Gulf states." Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, said last week, "We reject privately begging or publicly bashing to get more oil."

Gulf Countries Think Bush Administration is Comfortable With High Oil Prices. "Moreover, the Persian Gulf countries think this administration is more comfortable with oil at around $20 a barrel than the Clinton administration was, said. High oil prices also help the United States oil companies, which made record profits last year and are loyal Bush backers," according to the New York Times.

Cheney Said "Jawboning in the Oval Office" Won't Solve Any Problems. "Jawboning in the Oval Office or allegations of price gouging that aren't valid don't solve any problems," said Vice President Dick Cheney on May 20, 2001.

OPEC Production Cuts Have Kept Gas Prices High. "OPEC has reduced its daily output about 9 percent since the start of the year, which has…kept gasoline prices high." according to the New York Times.

Alan Greenspan, Lawrence Lindsey Think President Should Pressure OPEC. One part of the Bush Administration, including, "Lawrence Lindsey, the President's chief economic adviser, and Alan Greenspan, the Federal Reserve chairman, is said to think that the administration should pressure the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to raise production," according to the New York Times.

Bush Then: "Jawbone" OPEC, OPEC Is "Main Reason" for High Gas Prices

In 2000, Bush Said OPEC Can Be Blamed As the "Main Reason" for Gas Prices. As a Presidential Candidate in June 2000, Bush said the "main reason" for gas prices was OPEC withholding production and he "would hope the administration could convince our friends at OPEC to open up the spigots."

In 2000, Bush Said President Clinton Should "Jawbone OPEC" to "Open Your Spigots." "In January 2000, with oil prices at nearly $28 a barrel, Bush called on President Clinton to 'jawbone OPEC' to get prices to retreat. 'What I think the president ought to do,' he said while campaigning in New Hampshire where heating oil prices were soaring, 'is he ought to get on the phone with the OPEC cartel and say, 'We expect you to open your spigots,'" according to the Associated Press.

A History of Candidate Bush Calling on OPEC to Raise Production

March 20, 2000: Bush Said President Clinton Should "Jawbone Opec" To "Open Your Spigots." "In January 2000, with oil prices at nearly $28 a barrel, Bush called on President Clinton to 'jawbone OPEC' to get prices to retreat. 'What I think the president ought to do,' he said while campaigning in New Hampshire where heating oil prices were soaring, 'is he ought to get on the phone with the OPEC cartel and say, 'We expect you to open your spigots,'" according to the Associated Press.

June 21, 2000: Bush Said OPEC Can Be Blamed As The "Main Reason" For Gas Prices. Bush said the "main reason" for high gas prices was OPEC withholding production and he "would hope the administration could convince our friends at OPEC to open up the spigots."

June 16, 2000: Bush Suggested We Work With OPEC To Ensure Low Gas Prices. "We should I think the -- we need to be working with our friends in OPEC to make sure that the price of crude oil, which doesn't rise to continue to force the price of gasoline up, particularly as the summer season comes -- is upon us."

June 27, 2000: Bush Said He Would Work With "Friends In OPEC" To Help With Gas Prices, Use "Capital," To "Open The Spigot." When asked for a concrete example of a solution to high gas prices, Bush said, "I would work with our friends in OPEC to convince them to open up the spigot, to increase the supply. Use the capital that my administration will earn, with the Kuwaitis or the Saudis, and convince them to open up the spigot."

posted by Rei Toei @ 1:02 a.m.