Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Jawbone of an Ass

A pair of Dubya quotes courtesy of the Democratic party website:

Bush In 2000: U.S. Simply Needs To Tell OPEC To "Open The Spigots." "I would hope the [Clinton] administration would convince our friends in OPEC to open the spigots." [Los Angeles Times, 6/22/00]

Bush in 2000: U.S. Needs To "Jawbone" OPEC Members. "What I think the president ought to do [when gas prices spike] is he ought to get on the phone with the OPEC cartel and say we expect you to open your spigots...And the president of the United States must jawbone OPEC members to lower the price." [President Bush, 1/26/00]
And now today: Bush: OPEC nations should pump more oil

For the record: During Clinton's presidency (1993-2000), the average price for a gallon of gas ranged between $1.22 to $1.66. The average as of 2006 was $2.80 and it's only gotten higher since then.

And Bush is just now deciding to speak to OPEC about this problem? Whether it's reacting to a terrorist attack or dealing with gas prices, Bush sure as hell loves to take his time, don't he?



Update: Saudi Arabia listens to his request ... and tells him no.

So, now what? Will Bush take charge of the situation, tell them their answer is unaceptable, and that they need to "open the spigots" for the good of the United States? Or will he meekly accept their answer and turn tail back to the White House without mentioning another blessed word about it?

I'd love for Republicans to show me this brave, brave president they keep crowing about, because I sure as hell haven't seen him.

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