Bloomberg Slams Clinton, McCain Gas Tax Plan

NEW YORK — Mayor Michael Bloomberg called a summer-long suspension of the gas tax favored by Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republican John McCain a dumb idea.

The New York mayor, who flirted with the idea of an independent presidential bid, praised Democrat Barack Obama for opposing the plan to suspend the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and 24.2 cent diesel tax during the peak driving months of the summer.

All three candidates covet Bloomberg's endorsement. The mayor has spoken highly of Obama and McCain in introducing the two at recent events in New York.

Speaking to reporters at City Hall, Bloomberg said of the gas tax holiday, "It's about the dumbest thing I've heard in an awful long time, from an economic point of view. We're trying to discourage people from driving and we're trying to end our energy dependence ... and we're trying to have more money to build infrastructure."

He cited those three reasons for opposing the gas tax holiday favored by McCain and Clinton. Obama has said the savings would not be significant for the average individual, and Bloomberg agreed.

"The 30 bucks is not going to change anybody's lifestyle," he said. "The billions of dollars that we would otherwise have in tax revenues can make a big difference as to what kind of a world we leave our children."

The billionaire mayor said in February that he had decided not to run for president but has dangled the possibility of his endorsement. The Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent has ties to all three candidates.

Comments

[RSU]

If we'd have opened ANWR for drilling in 1993, we could be using that oil to soften the blow we"re feeling today. It won't solve our problems and nobody ever said it would, but to leave it sit untapped, even for emergency use is foolish. Less than 200 miles away, Canada is drilling the heck out of the area solving their oil independence problems. Yet, we're sitting on our hands fretting about caribou that nobody sees, let alone really cares about from day to day.

To make matters worse, China is now drilling in the Gulf within 50 miles of the Florida Keys and can come as close as 45 miles. Meanwhile, we've imposed a blanket moratorium on any new resource recovery less than 100 miles from shore. That cuts off more than 85% of the nation's offshore oil reserves.

Democrats have pinched off all our energy supplies for the last 13 years in an effort to force conservation down our throats never taking into account GROWTH in jobs or population. Unfortunately, we're going to pay for those mistakes for at least as long again.

No matter what we do, we're at least 10 years away from energy recovery. That's how long it will take to build any new refineries, drill productive wells, or expand or build new nuclear or coal fired electric plants.

If we don't do something soon, the oil embargo of the 70's will seem minor compared to what's in store for us.

RSU

[ErnestineBass]

FUH Q. RSU.

[olivia]

1 cent savings on oil by year 2025.

That is the optimistic projections of the most optimistic supporters of drilling in ANWR.

And there's a good chance there is barely any oil there at all.

[RSU]

We'll, I guess we'll never know now will we. So what now? Do we start walking to work? Do we rely upon nonexistent public transportation? Do we plug our gas powered cars into an electrical outlet that suffers rolling blackouts now? Or, do we just convert all our corn and wheat into alcohol?

What options do we have? There are none coming from Congress so I guess the option you are proposing is that we just keep things as they are until we grind to a halt.

Is that really the best you have?

[PrdAmerican]

Well, it could be said that in the early 70's we knew about the real fact of 'peak oil' and should have begun back then....wh­at was the first thing Ron Reagan did...rip out the solar panels on the whitehouse, that was his finger at energy conservation.

ANWR is not a reality anymore, with the melting of the perma-frost in that region building infastructure will be next to impossible. Of course, this whole golbal warming thing I am sure is another manifestation of democrat angst.

I like how one person can lay this all at the feat of the Democrats without mentioning who's been in office for the last eight years, or who has controlled the whitehouse for 20 of the last 28 years.

[RSU]

What party has blocked our efforts to go to clean nuclear power?

What party has blocked our efforts to build new clean coal fired electric plants?

What party has blocked our efforts to drill for new oil reserves within our own borders?

You don't have to be in the White House to prevent a measure from passing.

So, tell me again, how Democrats are not responsible for our energy crisis.

[jdizl]

I wish the silly season would stop...
We introduced capitalism to China...th­ey finally accepted!

They have 1.5 billion plus peeps...
These are the new customers for the black gold market!

Tack on another 200 - 300 million new peeps from India and you
get...ding ding ding....su­rvey says: Gas at 5 bucks and growing!

Confuscious say" figure out what the left hand will pass to the right,
before drinking!"

This is not rocket science people!

As Perot use to say: "Are we gonna talk about it or do something about it!"

[RSU]

One half of the county doesn't seem to want to do anything until it gets so bad that we can't even deliver food to the stores.

But, take away their air conditioning during the summer and boy howdy! You'd think something had hit the fan.

[randyjet]

For your info the FACTS are that US demand is down 4% from this time last year. The world demand for oil has risen 2% and the supply of oil in the world has risen at 2.5% so far this last quarter. In short, there is NO oil shortage anywhere. IN FACT there is an oversupply of oil which will grow to 4% more by the third quarter. So why is the price going up? The high price is driven by oil speculation. The EXPERTS are all invested in this market and they are afraid that Clinton will do what she proposed and open the SPR and dump millions of barrels of oil on the market and crash the price of oil and the speculators. THAT is why BUSH and Obama are BOTH in favor of the status quo.

[cmeans29]

FYI, India's population is 1 billion. Second largest country behind China.

[combatveteran]

I agree the democrats have been pinching off our energy supplies for months. Anti wind, anti solar bastards.

I disagree, save the oil for 2050, you will be able to sell it for 800 dollars a barrel.Don­'t touch it for now.

O boy the horror of the 70's. Somehow I made it through it, actually I barely remember it.

[RSU]

The gas lines of the 70's, while troublesome, are nothing compared to the riots we'd experience should that same event happen today.

Sometimes I wonder if we aren't saving our oil until we're the last ones on earth who have it. But then if we did, couldn't you just see bleeding hearts demanding that we give it away to the rest of the world first.

[CivilDisobedient]

What a crock Bloomberg. Nothing like propping up big oil. Same for Obama. You two turn against the struggling working class and favor big oil. At least Hillary knows that millions of Americans welcome any relief in gas prices. $4.00 a gallon and the oil companies (and their bought and paid for stooges) are whining about giving the American people a break???
What bullshit.

[CapitalistRebel]

You are completely wrong. Her "tax holiday" is nothing more than a blatant attempt to pander for votes. There is not even ONE economist or expert who supports this plan because, in the end, it will only end up RAISING gas prices. Do your homework.

[CivilDisobedient]

No it isn't. Millions of Americans would really look forward to a little relief. I'm supposed to care about big government and the oil companies?? Obama just screwed the ver people he's supposed to represent.
Once he gets in office, it's bye bye American people and hello big oil.

[CivilDisobedient]

Oh yeah, like it's not going to raise anyhow. What naive suckers the American people are.

[olivia]

It will raise gas prices AND results in more consumption, higher prices, and more profits for oil companies.

You can believe Hillary checked with Big Oil before she put this out there.

What kind of a scam is this anyway? She cannot put make this happen this summer, because even if she were to become president, that won't happen until 2009.

This is stupid, folks. She is playing you all like violins.

[ceu]

Bullshit? Seriously? Figure it out for yourself. My calculations. I usually put 7.5 gallons into my car to fill up. Over 13 weeks that's 97.5 gallons. The tax for gas is $.184 per gallon. Total savings = $17.94. Let the gov't keep it and fix the damn roads!

[PrdAmerican]

Keep our road workers employed!

[CivilDisobedient]

Maybe if they stopped spending 12 billion a month in Iraq, they could fix the fucking roads.

[Crumbs]

CivilDisobediant, If your to ignorant to understand it, then dont speak on it.

[CivilDisobedient]

Bite me. Why don't you explain it to me einstein?

[benwha]

Are you kidding me? Do you have any understanding about economics? This tax holiday will benefit oil companies hugely.

[CivilDisobedient]

How so?

[PrdAmerican]

Much like mandated healthcare would benefit the insurance companies. Wake up America...­.she loves lobbyists and lobbyists love her!

[sydney01]

Hillary's plan would INCREASE profits for oil companies!

[CivilDisobedient]

How so?

[humuhumunukunukuapuaa]

And you thought stupid ideas would go away with the unseating of Bill Frist and Tom DeLay.

Some things just never change.

[ErnestineBass]

LOL! True that, humma.

[erykah]

Obama is looking and sounding like a president!

[CivilDisobedient]

Yeah, he favors big oil over the little guy. Whom he's supposed to represent.

[sydney01]

Hillary's plan would increase profits for oil companies!

The Department of Transportation said it would cost 300,000 jobs!

Most construction workers I know are middle class people. They don't need Hillary taking 300,000 of their jobs!

[MilwaukeeMike]

A Hillary troll. Saying it 10 X's doesn't make it true--we've learned that over the last 7 years.

[Myshkin57]

PLEASE LEARN WHAT A TAX IS! Thank you.

[AnAmericanWoman]

that is: bandwagon and no plans of her own! Hate it when I typo!

[wutzhappn]

I'll be first in line for that gas tax vacation this summer. Sounds like a good idea to me.

[CivilDisobedient]

It is. But since it's Hillary who is backing it, it's a dumb plan. At least that's what Obamians would tell you.
Hillary IS more in touch with middle-class America. Barack is siding with big oil and big government.

[MPeter]

Please forgive Hillary and MCcain. They are senior citizens. It has been decades since they touched an economics textbook. MCcain recently admitted that he does not get it and Hillary simly hates reading. She could not even read the most important document before she voted to authorize invading Iraq,. Hillary and MCcain not qualified to lead.

[CivilDisobedient]

Bullshit. Millions of struggling Americans need some relief. Economics my ass. This is a temporary proposal. Screw big oil and big government.
Stop spending 12 BILLION DOLLARS A MONTH in some rat hole in the middle east.

[Mark01]

This will sound Sexist guys and I am sorry.
But when was the last time you had an argument with your girlfriend or your wife that really ended peacefully. I am not sure why everyone is surprised by Hillary and her supporters's behavior. She is a woman and will do anything and try anything to have it her way.
When you "fight" with your girlfriend- what does she do? Break your flat screen TV, cut your car tires, bad mouth you to your friends at work, try to figure out who you dating now so they can rationalize their dumping, calling you names etc. Then she comes back to her senses and try to make up. The only difference is you can always buy a new TV, fix your car and the rest.
Hillary is doing exactly that destroy and poop all over the place, BUT the big difference is that she has does not plan on making up. She wants to destroy Barak come back in 2012.

[kesiac]

You need a new girlfriend.

[CivilDisobedient]

Sounds like you have some issues. A girl named Mark?

[Mark01]

What makes you this I am a man?? Where in that post does it show that I am a woman. Stupid idiot

[ErnestineBass]

You ain't real bright, are you?

[AnAmericanWoman]

I say this time and again - Hillary is NOT a leader. she jumps on the nearest badwagon taht she thinks people will like! She has no plans of her won and have copied so many of Obamas plan tath it is not even funny. First, she wanted to be popluar so she voted for the IRAQ war and now the she follows Mccain into stupid ville. Leaders create strateges - not follow others off a cliff!

[CivilDisobedient]

She is the only one sticking up for the little guy. Big oil and big government could care less about the little guy. Including Obama, it so seems.

[boombox]

Hey, still in touch with your little guy?

[ErnestineBass]

OK, so you won't vote for a black man. Would you have voted for John Edwards?

[olivia]

Obama has rightly said what every economist questioned has said:

Hillary's plan will increase oil prices by keeping demand up. You will pay more under her plan, but the government won't be getting it to maintain the roads, the oil companies will get it instead.

[Viper]

Its why I will not Vote for Hillary: Old Elitism.. she thinks the public is too dumb to catch on to this type of pandering. Its hard to tell her from McCain.

Hillary says "We Can". Well summer starts in six weeks. I think she cant. There is no bill for a tax holiday. If she does not get this peice of crap idea to reality by then, she should withdraw from the race.

She is knowingly lying to the public... again But per Hilary, telling the truth like Obama is being an elitist... so lying makes you not an elitist?

McCain/Hil­lary.... no choice. Sad but true. Bomb Bomb Iran or Obliterate Iran... Flag burning Amendments,

Pls tell what peice of legislation Hilary has gotten passed in 8 years thats earth shaking. . In fact tell me anything good thats come out of Ciongress in 8 Years.

Regards

[ProgressiveThought]

Another area the shows Slick Hilly is NOT ready on day one. Another poor judgement call.

[CivilDisobedient]

I think millions of Americans would welcome any relief at all. Screw big oil and big government. You're getting screwed by big oil and the government, and then say, please, rip me off some more.

[TonalCrow]

As others repeatedly have explained to you, the Clinton-McCain "gas tax holiday" will simply permit BIG OIL to raise their prices to compensate for the suspended tax. The only effect will be to transfer the tax revenue to BIG OIL so that they can "rip [you] off some more".

BTW, why didn't Hillary read the Iraq NIE before voting for the war?

[olivia]

Hillary needs some basic schooling in economics.

Or maybe she knows this is a gift to Big Oil, and is just pretending it is a crumb for everyman.

Hillary is definitely not ready.

[kennedy]

Obamas unfavorable has gone up 9%.

He will never be President.

[Questionsauthority]

Ding ding! Wrong. Hillary's unfavorables are through the roof. So many Clinton haters out there. She will never be president, now or in any future election.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Too bad for you that he will win the nomination and the Presidency.

[benwha]

Whats it like to go through life only accepting and processing information that backs your predecided position?

You should try thinking critically sometimes it is fun!

[CivilDisobedient]

Not this time around. He favors big oil and big government, and he's supposed to represent the little guy??? Puleeeeese.

[boombox]

You are trippin'.

[olivia]

You do not understand, apparently, that 18 cents a gallon will increase consumption and let the oil companies drive up the prices even more than that, costing you more for gas in the end.

Obama understands these economics. (I suspect Hillary does too and is snowing you.)

[jdizl]

Where are these little guys? I need a few new car pool mates...
Me think I will save myself 50 bucks over 3 months by car pooling
with the little ones!

Civil D, you sound like a swifter to me!

Only Swifter Boaters talk "shadow" economics!

[Namtillaku]

It's a dumb idea being pandered to a dumb public. If this goes through it will save me $3.00 per tankful.

[ceu]

I figure that in total it will save me $17.94. I'd rather have improvements to the roads & bridges (remember Minneapolis, anyone??) and save the jobs of 300,000 road workers.

[cmeans29]

Same here. Fix the roads! A tire costs more than the $30.00 savings.

[sydney01]

16,000 bridges in the same state of disrepair as the Minnesota bridge will not get their inspections this year because of budget issues. 16,000 DANGEROUS BRIDGES!

This tax will only increase that number and put 300,000 workers out of jobs (according to the Department of Transportation).

Her pandering comes at the cost of the jobs and safety of citizens.

[ThePoundcake]

Clinton should really drop out of the race now. REALLY!!

I mean was she grabbing for strraws on the gas tax idiocy? Or however you say that word..i just made that up like Clinton does everything else. Clearly, she HAS NO CONCEPT OF ECONOMICS.­.PERIOD with an assenine statement like that. If your a superdelegate you have to really examine her stupidity on that not to mention the other blunder she's made like the story she told to an audience that a woman died becasue she had no insurance.­..only to find out the woman DID have insurance.

Hillary is a fluff candidate who's living off her reputation for not giving up! Muhammad Ali never gave up but he got his butt whipped by Larry Holmes!!! Nuff said

[olivia]

Gas tax idiocy is correct. The Bush Recession is on and we need a president who can steer us through a very rocky ride.

Hillary knows nothing about economics.

I feel insulted that she thinks I will like her better for $30.

[jfor]

If this is the kind of leadership Clinton and McCain are offering as candidates what makes their supporters believe they will lead any other way if they become President? How blatant does McClinton have to be, both of them have already shown us that they will not listen to what we have to say and in reality do not care, they both plan on being deciders. It seems that neither of these two arrogant Senators realize that the President they both are emulating has the lowest approval ratings of any president in decades and the highest disapprovals ever. Maybe they should distance themselves from the policies of Dubya instead of wrapping themselves up in his stink offering all of us continued war, continued borrowing, continued torture, continued spying, continued lying and the continuing destruction of my country.

[Graham7720]

He already is.

[biglith]

Gas tax "holiday" means the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs and a further deteriorating highway system. Stupid is a kind word for it.

[olivia]

How is Hillary going to declare a gas tax "holiday" for the summer when she would not take office until January 2009?

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