Posted on 04/24/2006 4:59:57 AM PDT by FerdieMurphy
SAN JOSE -- As oil prices hit a record, drivers worried about $3-a-gallon gas and politicians feared the impact on elections, President Bush on Friday acknowledged the pain but seemed resigned to being able to do little about it.
"I know the folks here are suffering at the gas pump," the president said while promoting his competitiveness initiative at the Silicon Valley headquarters of Internet networking company Cisco Systems Inc. "Rising gasoline prices is like taking a _ is like a tax, particularly on the working people and the small-business people."
But to address the immediate problem, Bush offered only a pledge that "if we find any price gouging it will be dealt with firmly."
Bush said that lowering America's dependance on foreign oil imports will help reduce the country's vulnerability to global oil price fluctuations. On Saturday, the president was pushing his proposals to boost spending to develop alternative energy sources, particularly hydrogen-fueled cars.
Critics say Bush's ideas are too modest and focus on solutions that are far from being a reality in the marketplace.
Crude-oil prices broke through $75 a barrel Friday amid concerns about the standoff over Iran's nuclear ambitions, rebel disruptions of oil production in Nigeria, and tight U.S. gasoline supplies. Analysts say they are likely to climb even higher.
Prices at the gas pump also kept rising and were not considered at their peak, with the average price of a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline at $2.855. That's 3 cents higher than a day earlier and more than 60 cents higher than a year ago, according to AAA's daily fuel gauge report.
Democratic efforts to score political points by focusing on gas prices have Republicans worried that their majority in Congress could be at risk in the fall midterm elections.
High gas prices were hardly the only problem facing Bush's White House as he embarked on a four-day swing to California and Las Vegas. He was traveling with new chief of staff Joshua Bolten, charged with reinvigorating a White House rocked by public discontent with the Iraq war and a series of missteps ranging from an ill-fated Supreme Court nomination to a bungled response to Hurricane Katrina.
Bush's poll ratings are at their lowest point. Hundreds of protesters called for his resignation near the Cisco compound where he spoke.
Even his trip put the president squarely in the middle of a federal-state dustup.
Bush decided not to grant the pre-emptive federal disaster declaration sought for California's fragile levees by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican who faces a tough re-election fight and has had a chilly relationship with Bush. Instead, the president is allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help speed repairs at the state's expense.
Bush seemed aware of the precarious political landscape.
When Bush turned the microphone at Cisco over to Schwarzenegger, the governor said, "First of all, I want to say congratulations."
"For what?" asked the president, appearing genuinely surprised.
The governor, who had discussed the levee issue during a limousine ride with Bush, replied that he was glad to see the president "really paying attention" to the competitiveness issue.
Afterward, Bush talked privately with scholars from Stanford University's Hoover Institution, including former Secretary of State George P. Shultz, a Hoover fellow and early defender of the use of pre-emptive force to deal with Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq.
Plans to hold the meeting at the Hoover Institution were scuttled when protesters blocked Bush's motorcade from going through the only entrance. Shultz, who was already hosting a private dinner for Bush later at his Palo Alto home, had the session moved to his two-story, gray-shingled house.
One reason for a weekend trip with a lot of downtime in beautiful places became clear even before Bush boarded Air Force One to leave Washington. Crew were seen loading two shiny mountain bikes _ one a red-white-and-blue Trek adorned with the presidential seal and "United States of America." With stays scheduled in picturesque Napa Valley and the Palm Springs area, the bikes weren't likely to remain clean for long.
"Tomorrow I'm going to be riding my bike in Napa Valley. I can't wait," Bush told his Cisco audience.
Before returning to Washington Monday night, Bush was making stops to raise money for the national Republican Party, visit with Marines and Navy sailors, and press Congress to break a logjam over the immigration legislation he wants.
Drilling in the "Pristine" Arctic Wilderness should have begun long ago. The same is true of the drilling in the Gulf and off the coast of California.
America's grievances would be appropriately laid at the feet of this repulsive congress which is full of those socialists who want the nation in tatters.
I remember when ol man Bush (HW) said Americans should pay $4.50 to $5.00 a gallon just like the Europeans. His dream is now coming true.
As much concern that exist over the price of gas, there is also apathy. One person recently interviewed on a local Austin,TX. station suggested, if you can't afford a few more dollars for gas, maybe you should think about finding a 'better' job. {:>{
Bush is losing it folks. He's sounding more and more like Daddy who just couldn't relate to us folks!
Don't tell us nothing can be done. He should be out there yelling ANWAR every single day. Talking CONSERVATION... I'm sure the elite in DC aren't going to hybrid cars anytime soon, are they.
This stinks.
Oh, and not to mention LOWER GAS TAXES - help the American people.
It appears that the president wants a democratic congress and senate in 2006. Saying there is little he can do just pisses people off. His comments show a callous disregard for common people.
Hydrogen? You gotta be kidding me. Bio-diesel and E-85.
Link please. I never heard that one.
The more her speaks the more foolish he sounds. There's a lot that could be done, they just aren't willing to do it.
I keep reading this over and over and over again. Screw that place. Start exploring and drilling like crazy off the shores of Florida, the South and of course California. That is where it's at. And tell all those who object to go stuff it.
Just my thoughts.
Up here in Canada, we went for it in off the shoreline in Newfoundland in the 1990s. The province now has two oil fields and the province is turning a corner. The province is trying for a third, heavy oil field, but negoiations are still going on since Newfoundland wants a better royality.
I was at a store on Saturday morning, there was a woman sitting in a car, cellphone plugged into cigarette lighter, car running, just sitting there wasting gas because it was OH SO IMPORTANT to be on the phone, her husband was walking towards the vehicle waving his arms telling her to shut the car off.....she just ignorned him.
This is the correct answer. Bush isn't setting the prices, international demand is setting the prices. If you can't affort the gas drive and whine less. Give up beer, cigarettes, eating out, and lotto tickets if you don't want to drive less.
I saw some twits/losers being "interviewed" (read crying) about gas prices on the local news. Every single one of them had fairly new vehicles (Ie less than 5 years old) They could have saved a lot by driving older vehicles.
I may go for a lighter smaller vehicle myself (although not necessarily to save gas).
Saying there is little he can do just pisses people off. His comments show a callous disregard for common people.
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Agreed. And now I'm really piissed off. Nothing can be done about illegal alien invasion. Nothing can be done about high fuel prices. I'm starting to think the left was correct about the big oil connection... I think he likes it.
High Gas Prices ... hey Mikey, he likes it.
Bush, Hastert and Frist have completely squandered the opportunity the voters handed to them on a hard-earned silver platter. We've been had.
I guess gas isn't all that overpriced then.
Every day that passes lately.....I find another excuse to NOT ADMIT I voted for Bush.....twice!
Nor are the American people when it comes to conservation. Everyone expects others to do it instead.
If you're using that much gas, you could drive something smaller. I fill up once every two weeks, for about $30.
mega dittos!
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