Media Matters: Note To Media: Experts Say It's "Not Credible" To Blame Obama For Spike In Gas Prices

[dennis4868]

Note To Media: Experts Say It's "Not Credible" To Blame Obama For Spike In Gas Prices
March 14, 2011 3:28 pm ET

Numerous mainstream media outlets have reported on Republicans' accusations that the Obama administration's drilling policies are to blame for the recent increase in gas prices. These media have failed to alert their audiences to the fact that according to energy experts, the allegation is entirely without merit.

Energy Experts Reject Claim That U.S. Drilling Policies Caused Recent Jump In Gas Prices
Chris Lafakis: "Absolutely No Merit To This Viewpoint Whatsoever." Chris Lafakis, economist at Moody's Analytics and expert in energy markets, told Media Matters via email:

I received your question about whether or not federal drilling policies are responsible for the current rise in gas prices. There is absolutely no merit to this viewpoint whatsoever. Near-term fluctuations in gasoline prices are determined by two primary factors: crude oil prices and seasonality. Since the deepwater drilling delay applies only to exploration and production, it would take years, maybe a decade to get any amount of crude oil out of the ground and into our gas tanks. In the meantime, global crude oil supply is exactly the same as it would have been if the government were giving away permits like candy.

Currently, crude oil prices have jumped $15 since the civil war broke out in Libya. This rise in crude oil prices underpins all of the recent increase in gasoline prices.

Michael Canes: "Not Credible To Blame The Obama Administration's Drilling Policies For Today's High Prices." While noting that he disagrees with the Obama administration's policies on oil and gas drilling, Michael Canes, research fellow at the Logistics Management Institute and former chief economist of the American Petroleum Institute, told Media Matters via email that it is "not credible" to blame Obama's policies for the high gas prices:

The rest is here....http://mediamatters.org/print/research/201103140030

I know the theme here is too blame Obams for everything so I hope this post does not make people upset!

[SpiralHawk]

1. "But that don't fit with the RNC Talking Points memo." - Corporate Media (R)

"So fugget about it." - Corporate Media (R)

[rucky]

2. Do they expect the government to regulate oil prices?

[yourout]

3. Well I do blame him for not going after the speculators or at least threatening to.

[dennis4868]

5. hey...

someone got the DU "blame Obama for everything" memo....good for you!

[Autumn]

4. Of course it isn't his fault.

I think the problem is oil speculators in the market.

[rfranklin]

6. Did they pile on Bush Jr. when it was $4 a gallon?

I don't think so.

[Clio the Leo]

7. And without being flippant....

.... that fact that (almost) no one HERE is blaming him for the matter demonstrates what a silly argument it is.

[nevergiveup]

8. Yep