Rollback 4 years...

September 28, 2004 4:38 PM

A classic snapshot of the last election. Against the current backdrop of alltime high oil prices and soaring deficits.
posted by H. Roark (13 comments total)

Not much more to say about that; he said he would, and didn't.
posted by asparagus_berlin at 5:47 PM on September 28, 2004

Your oil-price claim is disingenuous.
posted by trharlan at 6:32 PM on September 28, 2004

Whatever happened to the deal he had with the saudis to lower prices closer to the election?
posted by amberglow at 6:37 PM on September 28, 2004

What I wonder -- and granted, it's a rather esoteric measure -- is how much of an increase in oil price has taken place since W became President, as opposed to other Presidents.

That might be a record, or at least that would place W in competition with Nixon (1968-1974). Funny how things under W start to look like things under Nixon...
posted by clevershark at 7:30 PM on September 28, 2004

amberglow -- here it is, the Saudis are getting ready to lubricate the electorate for Bush.
posted by clevershark at 7:38 PM on September 28, 2004

Ah, I knew the House of Saud wouldn't let him down--they go way way back, ya know.
posted by amberglow at 7:43 PM on September 28, 2004

maybe something on this page would answer your question, clevershark?
posted by amberglow at 7:46 PM on September 28, 2004

Looks like a big spike 1974ish and an even bigger one 1980ish.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:51 PM on September 28, 2004

The Bush article is beautiful; a classic example of an ideologue playing pretend-moderate before he gets elected. Every word a lie, every statement proven untrue.
posted by interrobang at 9:08 PM on September 28, 2004

It does seem that the price of crude shot up tremendously during the Carter years, but that was considerably after the Arab Oil Embargo which is more widely remembered than any other price spike. It'd be more interesting to see what the consumer price of refined gas was over that time, as that doesn't always reflect the price of crude -- other factors, such as refining capacity, are more responsible for setting those.
posted by clevershark at 9:10 PM on September 28, 2004

bush dosn't need the saudis, he's opened the stratigic oil reserves.
posted by delmoi at 10:06 PM on September 28, 2004

Holy shit, did he really say that? Seriously? You've got to be joking, or exaggerating.... even exaggerated that looks really bad.


"Asked why the Clinton administration had not been able to use the power of personal persuasion, Mr. Bush said: "The fundamental question is, 'Will I be a successful president when it comes to foreign policy?'"
posted by Keyser Soze at 10:59 PM on September 28, 2004

White House Press Briefing, March 31, 2004:

Q When he was running for President, the President said that President Clinton should get on the phone with the OPEC cartel and say, we expect you to open up your spigots. But it doesn't appear that he's doing that --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that's wrong. No, this -- go ahead.

Q Well, excuse me, I was just going to ask, could you tell us what calls the President has made?

MR. McCLELLAN: This administration remains actively engaged with our friends in OPEC, as well as non-OPEC producers from around the world. Secretary Abraham, Secretary Powell, the White House, we are in constant discussions with producers from around the world. Condi Rice has certainly been in touch with individuals in OPEC, and we will continue working for America's consumers to make our views known to our friends in OPEC, as well as other producers around the world.

Q But he's not making calls, himself?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?

Q He's not making calls, himself?

MR. McCLELLAN: The President makes his views known on a regular basis to leaders, and this administration remains actively engaged in discussions -- over the last few days, today, we remain actively engaged in discussions with our friends in OPEC, as well as others.

Q Scott, our friends in OPEC don't seem to be paying any attention. It seems as if the President has been unpersuasive with our friends in OPEC. Is it fair to conclude that --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I disagree with your characterization.

Q Well, they're jacking the price on us. Is it fair to conclude that he's not -- what he's doing isn't working?

posted by kirkaracha at 11:22 PM on September 28, 2004