Democrats Need to Get Off Capitol Hill to Win the Gas Price War
I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion on a new online show called Meet the Bloggers. Here's the introduction post I did yesterday all about Meet the Bloggers.
Also on the show was Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV), someone who has been trying very hard to tackle inflated gas prices and get America on the right track when it comes to its 20 million barrel-a-day oil addiction.
While I admire Reid for what he's done I think he is incorrect in the assumption he made on the show that the Democrats are winning on the energy and gas price issue - and I would have elaborated on this point on Meet the Bloggers, but unfortunately there was some technical difficulties and I lost my connection.
The truth is, at least according to my sources close to the Party, that the Democrats are very worried that they're getting beat on this issue.
The bottom line is that the Republicans have done a very good job at framing the expansion of offshore drilling rights as the answer to high gas prices and oil independence, as can be shown in this already-discredited (but effective) McCain campaign ad called "Pump." For the most part the Democrats have been playing right into the Republican "drill-our-way-out" frame and instead of offering their own vision and solution to the energy crisis, they are spinning their wheels attacking McCain and the Republicans on offshore drilling.
The Democrats are also wasting a lot of time on Capitol Hill where any new energy policy is being delayed and shot down by Republicans. The Republicans want to go into the Fall election and say that the Democrats have done nothing in Washington on the energy issue - its twisted PR spin and political maneuvering, but its working.
The solution? I would propose that the Democrats get off Capitol Hill and articulate a simple, easily understood plan to reduce oil consumption that will in turn see some relief at the pump. Talk to the people directly, instead of through wonkish energy bills.
First, in the short term, offer a plan that sees a portion of oil company windfall profits going back into the pockets of American families in the form of incentives to reduce gas consumption - further tax breaks on hybrid vehicles and transit subsidies etc.
Second, demand auto manufacturers begin to build cars that use less gas.
And third, offer a long-term vision that starts with a redirection of the $14 billion in subsidies to oil companies to an investment in making the United States a leader in renewable energy technology development and deployment. Obama goes even further and proposes a $150 billion investment in renewables.
To be sure, the Democrats and their presumptive presidential candidate have committed to already doing much of what I have outlined above. But the key is to go out to the American people, articulate the plan in simple (read: not policy wonk) language and only once they've convinced voters bring the plan back to Capitol Hill and dare the Republicans to vote against it.
At least that what I think and I'm more than happy to being convinced otherwise.
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Blah, blah, blah. We cannot drill our way out. But neither can we "suffer" our way out either. That's why the GOP are beating us so badly. Conservation only is a non-starter. It's basically saying to the populace "you need to suffer so that we can stay true to our elitist ideals". A $3000 tax credit on a Prius, still makes for $23,000 sub-compact. It's ridiculous say "we order you to go out and spend $20K + on a new car" as a viable solution. Same with demanding auto manufacturers build cars that use less gas. You're looking at several years for automakers to comply and then back to the same problem; your answer is to say "Buy a new car, even if you can't afford it or suck it up and suffer".
As for government investment, that is a great idea but just as remote if not more so, because instead of arguing "Drilling won't get more oil to the market for 5 years" the argument is "alternatives won't reduce demand for 5-10 years until the plants are built and even then, they may not work we'll just have to roll the dice and see."
The only practical solution includes realistic goals for both sides of the fence. We can drill a lot of the price pressure off. We can conserve another big chunk of the pressure off. And we can transform our infrastructure, but that is going to take time.
How about our using as few petroleum products as possible? I pulled my old bicycle out of storage, fixed it up and whenever practical I use it to get around. I haven't refueled my car for over a month.
I live in California and I know when I'm receiving the "Enron" treatment and this high priced oil is just that, a crooked scheme by the oil companies to rob from their "customers
As for the Dems doing anything about it, forget about it. That just isn't going to happen! Harry Reid needs to grow a pair and make the Republicans filibuster openly and as long as necessary to demonstrate to America what they're doing. Having the Senate in session over the coming holiday while the Republicans filibuster to block some bill that most of us want, should accomplish that nicely.
Unless something dramatic happens, I think oil prices/drilling are going to lose us this election. Obama's energy policies are predicated on carbon reduction: but the last poll I saw showed that 67% of Americans don't believe climate change is manmade! (Unbelievable isn't it?) And check out the latest Pew polling on it: 51% 18-29yrs now favour exploration over conservation; 19%more Independents now feel the same; 18% more women - all since Feb. Check out the tables: so depressing. The grounds of this election have changed dramatically since the primaries began.
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Pelosi's plan to ignore it is definitely unpopular with people. More and more questions arise about the sanity of the Democrats this year.
Weird. You say exactly what they should be doing, how, and why it's vital...an
What's the point of experts, even if "only" in minor areas like society and public opinion, if you aren't accorded the respect of the politicians who so desperately need to hear what you're saying for our sake but also even if for no other reason than to save their own (political) skins.
The value of us "experts"? Not much if we can't get an ear of the people who we want to listen! So I agree. But the only way to get them to listen is to make as much noise as possible and hope that it sinks in.
That, or go work as a well-heeled lobbyist on K street. But I really can't stand the humidity in DC.
On a serious note. In my experience if you make enough noise it gets through - but I have always believed that the best thing to do is not just complain but offer a solution you believe will work. I have found that complaining and adding value by offering reasonable advice has accorded me a bit of respect (at least most of the time!).
There is over 70 million acres in leased land slated for oil companies to drill. This also includes over 30 million acres allocated for offshore drilling.
Can the democrats pass a bill to force the oil companies to drill these leased lands right now? Then just tell the media that democrats are now supporting an offshore drilling bill.
How will this playout with the American people and the media?
Good suggestions here and I think your right. But the democrats need to hammer that away in a unified and a more simplified voice of reason rather than just hope that this problem will go away. I would like to add 3 other points to your article.
1) Open up the nation's strategic oil reserves. This is just a temporary solution that will help alleviate oil prices.
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2) Close the Enron Loophole that was authored by Phil Gramm (were all whiners) . This bill allows speculators to trade oil commodities in the stock market without regulatory oversight causing prices to increase.
3) Return the value of the dollar by insuring peace and stability in the middle east and ending the war in Iraq. The war has forced us to borrow from foreign countries and caused devaluation of the dollar. Bringing back the value of our dollar will reduce oil prices around 30% or more.
Democrats need to put the responsibility in the hands of the republicans, Boosh, and McBoosh for causing these oil prices not the other way around. They need to force Boosh into opening up these oil reserves that will lower oil prices. Secondly, O'bama needs to point the finger at Phil Gramm who authored the deregulation of gas prices in Boosh's energy bill in 2000. Remember, the price of a barrel of oil was $22 in 2000? Why is it so costly now?
What about the weak dollar as a cause of high gas prices??? Reduce the deficit and trade imbalances and you will strengthen the dollar which is akin to reducing the price of oil.
Duh. the price of oil is being set by demand, not the purchasing power of the dollar.
Partially. I don't notice that American oil is selling for any less than Middle Eastern oil and, since the price of a barrel of oil has gone over $65.00, the oil companies do not have to compensate the US government in royalties for oil taken from federal land. OPEC sets production levels which then begets the "market" price of oil. When the dollar's value dropped by 50%, the price of oil doubled.
Sounds good to me. The only problem is getting people to believe anything a Dem Congressperson says nowadays. I personally am more pissed at the POTUS than congress but I am still PO’d at congress for rolling over every time.
Maybe we (the people) need to convince politicians that we will not think them week on Terror or soft on the Economy if they do what is right and actually fight for these things. I personally don’t care if they lose every vote from here till the end of the Bush term but I am tired of all the talk and then they all cave.
Very good advice. Although speaking to the dems... it will probably fall on deaf ears. I think the oroblems are 1. Republicans have 'punked' Democrats for so long... they are afraid to act; and 2. A lot of them are 'conservative' dems agree w/ the Republican proposals (in this case drilling for more oil)
Agreed they're getting punk'd - do you think it has to do with them being high in the polls? Sometimes politicians are afraid to be bold when they're on top, they don't want to rock the boat when times are good. I don't know, just a thought.
High in what polls??! Every poll I've seen has Congress in single digits! I think you are more correct in your analysis that the Dems in Congress can't seem to communicate with their constituents who live and work outside the Beltway. I have never been able to figure out why the Democrats cannot connect with the very people that they're supposed to represent. Furthermore, I can't understand why they can't get the hang of putting their good policy ideas into clear, succinct phrasing. It's just not that hard to do!
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