Bush's Ever-Changing Tune On Gas Prices

Washington, DC - Since he first ran for President in 2000, President Bush has offered a number of different explanations for what he can and cannot do to help the millions of hard-working Americans deal with out-of-control gas prices. With gas prices topping $3 per gallon in many parts of the country, it is more important than ever that the Bush Administration show real leadership and help alleviate the growing economic strain on Americans.

"Unfortunately, we've heard differing stories from President Bush when it comes to what he can and can't do to lower gas prices, apparently he just can't get his story straight," said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney. "President Bush's failure to plan means that for five years nothing has been done to lower fuel costs or make America energy independent. At $3 per gallon, the American people can't afford President Bush's failed leadership anymore. It's time for President Bush and Republicans in Congress to join Democrats with a plan to lower gas prices, protect the American people from price gouging and ensure America is energy independent."

Bush Criticized Clinton Administration For High Gas Prices

Bush In 2000: Bush Blamed Clinton Administration For High Gas Prices; Promised "Immediate Relief" By Using His "Capital" With Saudis And Kuwaitis. "Campaigning for president in a state particularly hard-hit by high gasoline prices, Texas Gov. George W. Bush on Tuesday blamed the nation's predicament on the Clinton administration, which he said is operating without an energy policy. "This is an administration that is hoping the issue goes away,' Bush said. ... 'The vice president seems to forget who's been in office for seven years,' Bush said. 'This is an administration that has been in charge, and the price of gasoline has risen steadily since they've been in office.' Asked what he would do as president to address the price at the pump, Bush said he would confer with oil-producing allies and ask them to pump more crude. 'I would use the capital my administration will earn with the Kuwaitis or the Saudis, to convince them to open up the spigot,' Bush said. 'That's where we will get immediate relief.'" [Houston Chronicle, 6/28/00]

Bush On The Need For Quick Action

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]

• Bush In 2006: "Every Little Bit Helps." "I've directed the Department of Energy to defer filling the reserve this summer. Our strategic reserve is sufficiently large enough to guard against any major supply disruption over the next few months. So by deferring deposits until the fall, we'll leave a little more oil on the market. Every little bit helps." [President Bush, 4/26/06]
  
  
• Bush In 2006: "No Magic Wand." "'I know gas prices are high,' President Bush said. 'There's no magic wand to wave. We'll make sure the energy companies are pricing their products fairly. If we catch them gouging -- catch unfair trade practices -- we'll deal with them at the federal government.'" [Reno Nevada Channel 4, 4/25/06]
  

Bush Administration On Conservation
Cheney in 2001: Conservation Merely A "Personal Virtue"; Rejected Use Of Renewable Energy Sources. "Vice-president Dick Cheney dismissed on Monday night the idea of 'conserving or rationing' as 1970s-era solutions to the US's energy shortages. In a speech in Toronto, Mr Cheney said that 'conservation may be a sign of personal virtue, but it is not a sufficient basis for a sound, comprehensive energy policy.'... He rejected energy conservation and renewable energy sources as major alternatives...'" [The Guardian, 5/2/01]

• Bush in 2005: Bush Called On Americans To Be "Better Conservers." "President Bush called on the Americans today to conserve gasoline and avoid non-essential driving as the average national prices for retail gasoline climbed higher for the first time since they peaked over the Labor Day weekend. ... 'We can all pitch in by being better conservers,' Mr. Bush said .... In addition to urging consumers to cut back to ease the pain of the current supply shortages, he said federal employees should use carpool and public transport and not take non-essential trips." [New York Times, 9/25/05]
  
  
• Bush in 2006: We Should Support Alternative Fuels. In a speech to the Renewable Fuels Association, President Bush noted that, "it makes sense for this government to spend money on research and development to find alternative sources of energy. I also support biodiesel fuel, which can -- which can substitute for regular diesel in cars, trucks, buses and farm equipment. ... And so we also have got to understand that we got to research not only to find -- to invest in ethanol and biodiesel, but part of a comprehensive strategy is to spend money on researching new battery technologies." [President Bush, 4/25/06]