RockThrower: Republicans Aim to Blame Democrats for High Gas Prices

Talking Points Mirror Public Opinion Research Paid for through
Indian Tribe Contributions arranged by Jack Abramoff

During her Senate career, Kay Bailey Hutchinson has been little more than paid shill to the oil and gas industry, and last weekend’s performance was no different. She appeared on Fox News to blame Democrats for high gas prices and call for the expansion of oil drilling. I would not have expected anything else from Hutchinson, But in the interest of being “Fair and Balanced,” Fox news anchor Chris Wallace might have pointed out to his viewers that during the 2006 election cycle Hutchinson was the leading recipient of Oil and Gas Industry largess, pulling in $323,186, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. During her career in the Senate, she has received more than $2 million in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry, making her the top congressional recipient since 1990.

No one should be surprised by what Hutchinson said, but it is worth noting that her talking points sound a lot like the work of the Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy (CREA), a now defunct Republican green-scam group connected to Jack Abramoff and ill-gotten Indian tribe donations.

Hutchinson’s comments on gas prices and those of other Republicans mirror public opinion research from May 2001 provided by CREA to then Interior Secretary Gayle Norton (and apparently the Cheney energy taskforce) emphasizing the use of rising gas prices to promote increased drilling. The research concludes, "language that . . . emphasizes price increases in gasoline and natural gas and the California situation resonates with voters and makes the case that ‘Gasoline price stability is the single most potent argument for opening up the Alaskan National Wilderness Refuge.”

Clearly, Hutchinson will not be the only one trying to burn the Democrats on gasoline prices. The Republicans, desperate for any advantage in what looks to be a losing election cycle, are aiming to blame Democrats for high gas prices and do the bidding of their suitors by pressing for increased drilling. Presumptive nominee John McCain has abandoned what little remained of his independent streak in energy policy, calling for increased drilling off the coast of California in the hope it will play well with pick-up truck voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Just for the record, McCain has received $791,777 in oil and gas industry contributions in 2008, making him the top recipient in the current election cycle

If the Democrats let the Republicans blame them for high gasoline prices they deserve to lose. More than 75 percent of oil and gas industry contributions since 1990 have gone to Republicans, totaling almost $165 million. All Americans have gotten out of the deal is higher gas prices. Meanwhile, oil companies like Exxon Mobile have made record profits ($40.7 billion last year).

Are the American people really going to believe that the reason the oil and gas industry is giving Republicans all this money is so they can lower gas prices? Apparently the Republicans think so. They are ramping up their efforts to lay the blame right in the lap of Democrats, launching a new campaign on the American Solutions Web site with the tagline “Drill Here — Drill Now” to make their case. American Solutions bills itself as a non-partisan 527 political organization, led by former Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich. The organizations top contributor is Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire founder of Freedom’s Watch, a conservative 527 organization that backs the Bush Administration position on the war in Iraq and pays for advertising supporting Republican candidates and positions, not to mention attacking Democratic candidates. The organization is run by and supported by former members of the Bush administration. If you will believe American Solutions is non-partisan, you probably also believe that oil companies want to lower gas prices.

It is a point of some irony, that I came across the American Solutions “drill here-drill now” advertisement while perusing the Washington Post online reading a 1998 article on the celebratory launch of the now-defunct Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy. Back then, before its leadership was convicted of fraud and tax evasion charges that came to light as part of the Abramoff scandal, the event’s backers included a who’s who of oil, gas and energy related industries. The evening’s keynote speaker was none other than Newt Gingrich. I wonder if Kay Bailey Hutchinson was there?

1. According to documents obtained from the Justice Department by the National Resources Defense Council, CREA provided the Interior Department with public opinion research (dated 5/16/01) from focus groups in several cities suggesting how to talk about energy issues and emphasizing using rising gas prices to promote increased drilling.
2. Campaign contribution funds cited in this article are based on information obtained from the Center for Responsive Politics website

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Posted by: Lord | August 28, 2009 at 07:32 AM

Hi,
A week after U.S. gasoline prices hit a near-record $3.05 a gallon, Democrats in Congress are promoting legislation taking aim at the big oil companies, although industry experts say that the efforts aren't likely to have any effect...

Posted by: natural gas | May 30, 2009 at 06:03 AM

Republicans are being portrayed as the handmaidens of Exxon Mobil, Shell and other oil companies. Democrats are criticized for not supporting an increase in domestic oil production and discouraging the construction of new refineries through strict environmental regulations.

Posted by: alternative energy | May 28, 2009 at 10:09 PM

Democrats’ Empty Rhetoric on Oil Prices.
1. OPEC should pump more oil.
Only more oil supply from OPEC (not from the US…) can bring down prices…

2. Drilling for oil in the US will not have an impact on oil prices.
Drilling for oil in ANWR, Off Shore, Oil Shale and Oil Sands will add millions of barrels daily to the oil market.

3. Stop filling up the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Daily DOE purchases of just 76,000 barrels will not have an impact on oil prices. President Bush was right on the button on this argument. This move had no impact on the oil market since it was announced in May.

4. Only (expensive) alternative energy can bring down oil prices.
If the rule of supply and demand doesn’t apply to oil prices and increasing supply won’t shift the lower prices, why would a decrease in oil demand help.

5. “Big Oil” already leases millions of acres, but they don’t drill to keep prices high.
Didn’t you just argue that drilling won’t bring prices down?
(To get a brief explanation on this issue click here, here and here.)

6. The Oil Companies are pushing for new drilling to make more profit.
This contradicts your previous argument, Stupid.

7. End Oil Speculating.
As if Speculators only trade one way. If it’s for empty speculation, why doesn’t the DJIA go up to 35,000 points? (For a “Liberal” dispute of this argument click here)

8. Tax the Oil Companies.
How will this affect the price of oil?

9. The current price of oil is a result of Bush’s failed energy policies.
The price of Crude was at approximately $65-$70 when the Democrats took control of congress. It’s currently at $137, a 100% increase. The price of Gasoline was at approximately $2.33 when the Democrats took control of congress. It’s currently at $4.10, a 76% increase.

If it wasn’t for the Democrats resistance to increasing oil production for the last 13 years, we would have been busy debating other issues at this time.

http://welovebush.blogspot.com/2008/06/democrats-empty-rhetoric-on-oil-prices.html

Posted by: moe | June 29, 2008 at 01:58 PM