No sooner do I write a column defending Barack Obama from an unjust and, frankly, nonsensical attack, than I see him getting ready to slit his own parachute lines on energy again.
Obama: Tap nation’s oil reserve to help gas prices
LANSING, Mich. – In a reversal, Barack Obama proposed Monday that the government sell 70 million barrels of oil from its strategic petroleum stockpile to help reduce gasoline prices.
The Democratic presidential candidate said in a major energy speech that in the short-run the move could help drive down gasoline prices that now top $4 a gallon.
Do I really need to explain this? Where did you pull this one from? Straight out of Nancy Pelosi’s office? (The House leader who is nearly ready to drown in an oil slick of her own making, as I read the cards.) The strategic oil reserve is there in case of an actual Oh-My-God, yes The Sky Is Really Falling emergency, such as a full embargo from the Mideast and Venezuela at the same time, or a military strike on all of our refineries just after a hurricane hits our platforms. In short.. when there IS NO OIL.
We are in the midst of a growing crisis in terms of what to do about our energy future, and yes… it’s a vitally important conversation to have. But for now, the oil is still coming in and the gas is still flowing, albeit at uncomfortably-high prices. I can almost understand the move to stop topping off the reserve while the prices are so high… almost. But to start draining it?
If this was a political move to assuage your base, then you are making a mistake. If you honestly think this is a good decision for our country’s future security, you’re a fool. Wake up, Senator Obama. You were doing very well. As soon as you dipped a toe in the energy debate, you began trying to hamstring yourself.
UPDATE: I’m on a call with the McCain team right now, and asked what impact this would have. Apparently, not only is that oil supposed to be reserved in case “somebody does something crazy” but it would provide 3.4 days of our domestic oil consumption while having virtually no impact on gas prices, and zero impact past 72 hours. Also, Obama is proposing to refill the reserve with heavy crude from the same countries we are trying not to send more money to, while not stocking up on the easier-to-process sweet, light crude.
Comments and quotes are from Congressman Mike Rogers and domestic policy adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer.