sen obama majored in how to lack scruples. if he had majored or even paid attention in math he would be able to figure that if you invest $100.00 to make $10 .00 or $1000.00 to make a $100.00 or $10 000 000 000.00 to make $1000 000 000 .00 it's not windfall it's only 10% on your investment instead of telling you how much money they made why does he not tell you how much they spent to make it and how many jobs that money generated.look close America he is as phony a his new seal just an imitation

The real issue is global resources. The world needs energy, or are you going to be the one that will stop using your electronics.
Don't we love our electric toys, visiting Italy, seeing family more often than not. Face reality enegy sources ASAP.

will the American people never get tired of obama purposely misquoting and at times outright lying about his opponent. he did it with Clinton and now is even worst with Mccain.obama as changed his stance on almost every issue he as run on so far. he as gotten so arrogant that now he doesn't even try to excuse his reasons for doing so. like the Pharaoh's of old so i have said so it shall be written

OBAMA,

FREE LARRY SINCLAIR NOW !

… isn't this exactly what Ralph Nader has been talking about for years? Why does the upstart politician Obama get the credit for this?

obama will say anything to get elected. He has taken credit for sooooo much that he didn't do. Who did he rip this idea of f of?

What Obama says and what he does are two different things.

Good for Barack. He's the only one who really cares about the American people. My question is, why doesn’t the media address our fuel independence with the true facts? All the do is bemoan the skyrockets prices, as if it's a mystery.

Fact 1: regardless of how much oil we import, we will never have any more gasoline available to the American public until new refineries are built.

Fact 2: Even if we drilled in Anwar and offshore areas, we still wouldn't have any more gasoline available to the American public until new refineries are built. We simply don’t have enough refineries to process the oil into gasoline once it's pumped out of the ground.

Fact 3: Bush is trying to blame the democrats for the high price of gasoline because he says they won't let them drill in restricted areas? Give me a break! Talk about a futile push before he’s out of office! The fact is, if Exxon/Halliburton gets to drill in restricted areas, they will not be doing so to help lower prices here in America, they will be doing so to get into the lucrative business of globally trading oil. They will be selling American oil to other nations, not refining it here at home. That is the Bush/Cheney ultimate plan. They already have some 80-90 million acres of offshore drilling at their disposal, but it’s not enough for them. They want it all.

I am really disappointed in the American media because you’re just puppets of the Bush regime, regardless of what network you work for. You don’t do any background investigating on your own. You just regurgitate everything the White House tells you. Edward R. Murrow is probably rolling over in his grave.

To those that are just spitting out what they hear in the media, GO READ Obama's Blueprint for Change. All you have to do is go to his website and clickety click you will see what he stands for and what his plans are on our economy. Does McCain have a good strategy to put us back in the black? Hell no he doesn't. It's very simple, he is just playing along so he can finish out Bush's "third term". To H3LL with that. Obama might not be the most seasoned politician, but so far he has done a LOT. Please open your eyes, we don't want McCain in office.

As long as this speculators have the power to triple the amount for a barrell of oil there is nothing he nor McCain can do to bring down the price of gas for the summer. Now think about it, you want to cut the taxes on gas that does not work they did that in Illinois and Indiana a couple of years ago and the end result was a mess. The speculators are the one's that continues too drive up oil. The question should be how much money is too much. How much of a profit do you need too make before the American people just will be leaving cars on the side of the road. They are going to price themselves out of the market.

i have made tons of money from crashing stocks. my friends have made a fortune by flipping foreclosed houses. my uncle has become a multimillionaire by betting on commodities, like oil and gold.

if you're smart, this is the time to get FILTHY RICH.

it's all UP TO YOU. so, stop bellyaching losers!

Hillary was saying this throughout the primeries.Took you long enough obama.

To Lisa Obama you said Hillary's plan to help the American people save on gas was politics at it's best. What is your plan to help the American people save on gas this summer? Ooh I forgot you don't have a plan, just speeches

I believe you are a smart lady cause if you are you know the answer to what you are saying Obama can't have a plan for the summer he is not the president and hillary nor mccaine can do anything about it so please apply common sense to things not just talk or type cause you think you know better and you don't.

this is a land of speculators (euphemism for manipulative lying thieves). the system is called capitalism. why? now you don't like it since you're on the losing end??? hahaha. losers.

This is EXACTLY what's needed.
It has been very clear in the market that it has been SPECULATORS driving all increases over $90, and a healthy chunk of the run-up over $65 as well.

Fully one half of what you are paying at the pump is due to these greedy jerks running their own version of the Ponzi scheme at ALL of our expense.

Reality is that the ONLY two reasons these speculators can get away with this is the law pushed through by Gramm and the fact that oil is traded worldwide on the US Dollar.

And the recent devaluing of the dollar against other currencies is a direct result of the Federal Reserve's aggressive rate cuts that have spooked the rest of the world; the US was the only country NOT acknowledging inflation was becoming an issue, and inflation fighting is done by RAISING the rates, not cutting them to near zero!

It is the current law from 2000 that is flawed, which Obama can't effectively change until he's given the Presidency.

Yeah, sure, he could ask the Senate and Congress to ACT on this NOW- good luck with that when you don't have the leverage as yet.

Once again Obama is addressing the problem. Not pandering like McBush's gas tax holiday joke. Controlling the speculators could knock thirty dollars a barrel off the price of oil.

Obama was put in by the leftist and crazy extremist. He will ruin our country and you don't have to be a republican to see this.

Hillary was our real hope and the real Patriot.

PUMA for Hillary… http://www.justsaynodeal.com

McCain '08 for Clinton '12

This guy is patently fake and will be exposed as one as the general election kicks into full gear. I am confident that the American people can see through the hype and reject Obama's old politics.

Bush and Cheney started the war in Iraq to benefit their Big Oil friends. They should be tried for war crimes. Thousands have died because of greed. McCain promises more of the same.

I hope Obama will be able to help us free ourselves from fossil fuels and the consequences of corporate greed.

Can you explain why you have two factcheck.org links for misleading comments by Barack Obama and yet no link to McCain's Power Outage analysis by the same organization? If you're going to point people to candidates that are stretching the truth, be fair about it, please.

Susan

No matter what you want, we will not vote for you…. This is time is McCain and hope will see Hillary on 2012.
Again Noooooooooooooooooooooo Michelle and Obama……. Please all democtrat vote for McCain or stay home

The Enron loophole and speculation is a prime factor in the cost of gas.
It would see that if we can build the atomic bomb, send a man to the moon the government could build an economical car.
The have the money and it is only a matter of focus and will.

Erron Keating 5 big suprise republicans at the center of something shady so much for straight .

To Lisa: Hillary Clinton is still in the Senate — where's her legislation? She'd really put Obama and all the "elite" economists to shame if she could get legislation through Congress that would give us a holiday from the gas tax this summer. Why doesn't she do it?

OPEC: There is more oil in the market than there is a demand. The high oil is a result of speculation and falling (screwed) US dollar.

Oil Retailers in the USA: (Confirming) Oil prices are a direct result of speculation and speculators should be removed.

US Government (Oil Cartel): No, there is no oil gauging or speculation, just shortage of oil due to an Arab conspiracy.

Hmm. I wonder who is doing a conspiracy here. Guess who is benefiting from oil prices. Those reporting windfall profits! That would be the oil companies, not Oil Retailers.

We need speculators out of the loop!

why doesn't the government try to directly import gas on behalf of the people that way it can supply cheaper gas and maybe they can get some small profits out of it which they could use towards cutting taxes.. this is a critical issue and if we can let the governement manage our military and other critical "systems" then why not this too.

ps:. but we can't allow the likes of Bush and co to be anywhere near it.

how silly is my question.

Barack is an idiot. He does not ahve his own ideas or policy. Since everybody is talking about speculators includign Saudis, he is now come out of the shell saying he wants to go after speculators. It is too late. Imagine what will happen if he becomes our President. Everything will be in chaos. America waker-up. Do not get carried away by the media and Barack's rhetoric. Send him away. Good bye Barack.

You gobama!!!!

so what's the plan? other than putting forward a slogan "let's do a crackdown"

Yes we can-copy every aspect of Hillary Clinton's platform after defaming it! Can't wait for the Obama gas tax cut plan.

Considering how much money Obama has taken from oil interests, this just sounds like more of the same old spin.

If you're going to make promised to the sheeple, at least tell us how you plan on making your "CHANGEs" work.

Phoney.

THE OIL COMPANYS HAVE NO INTENTION OF DRILLING FOR NEW OIL. WHY SHOULD THEY—THEY ALREADY MAKE BILLIONS IN PROFITS. TO DRILL FOR NEW OIL WOULD COST BILLIONS—THEY HAVE THE MARKET LOCKED UP. BY THE END OF THIS YEAR THE COST OF GASOLINE WILL COST $5.00 OR MORE PER GALLON.
ONLY OBAMA KNOWS HOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

Charolette, the more you post, the more ignorant you sound. You are NOT helping your "cause."

Obama is an idiot! And he doesn't have a clue.

He talks about something that he cannot control.

85% of the speculators operate out of England because they have already been driven out of this country by the laws and regulations.

It never ceases to amaze me how little the "educated" in this country really know. That includes the other bloggers on this post.

Charlotte:

June 22nd, 2008 5:07 pm ET

How will he close the loopholes? Will it require another bill? Will it be like the one he did for Exlon? Both candidates are guilty of hyperbolzing every topic. I don't believe either one of these candidates have the slightest idea of what they can or cannot do. Our stupid elected officials cannot write a bill without adding their pet projects to it. I think we need a line item veto. We could eliminate the garbage that is attached to every single bill. They seldom even resemble the original bill. "I'll support your bill if you add ?????" is where the pork or the deals are made. The President signs a bill to get what he/she may want, but must also sign for the garbage. There ought to be a law against adding things to a bill.

A line item veto would make the Legislative Branch irrelevant just like Bush wants. For example see how he has used his "Signing Statements"

212 days until the Constitution is relevant again!

Finally Obama is saying what I have been thinking and saying. It is the commodity exchanges that are driving the price of oil up. Congress needs to haul the commodity exchange folks down to DC and keelhaul them and yell at them, just like they do the oil executives. I am not for regulating markets, but there has to be some common sense. High oil translates into high diesel which powers our trains and trucks which deliver all types of goods to stores and other retail outlets. the trucks and trains are charging anywhere from 30% to 70% fuel on top of the normal charge to move goods. That is inflationary and is going to ruin our economy. The price of oil needs to be reduced and the Fed could start increasing the short term interest rates and build up the US dollar and oil will come down. but we need the commodity exchanges to go first and stop the madness

" he would strengthen government oversight of energy traders he blames in large part for the skyrocketing price of oil." This does not tell me a dang thing. Just words the public wants to hear.
"My plan fully closes the Enron loophole and restores commonsense regulation as part of my broader plan to ease the burden for struggling families today while investing in a better future," There is his plan again, excuse me but what plan? How are you going to fully close the loophole?
How are you going to restore commonsense regulation? Whose commonsense are you going by? and here we go again "as part of my broader plan to ease the burden for struggling families while investing in a better future." how are you going to ease the burden? what are you going to invest in to make a better future?
he talks the talk people want to hear but offers NO substance.
Why cant you give answers instead of just throwing out- i will strengthen — my plan –my broader plan–.
Oh and Senator Clinton does not need obama defending her at any time. he made his bed all by himself so now he can lay in it. oh wait, he already does that all by himself cause michelle can not stand the smell of him.

Obama will say anything, virtually do anything to get elected. Can't trust him, don't trust him.

NoObama. Never.

As you can see, not with you all the way.

Good for Barack. Kick the bums to the curb.

Who cares what he wants.

He won't win.

Mr. Yes We Can is turning out to be Mr. Yes Man. Whose feeding Obama his lines?

Mr. Yes We Can is turning out to be Mr. Yes Man. Whose controlling him behind the scenes? Whose feeding him the policy lines? Obama is turning out to be the party puppet. People are still learning about him? There is nothing else to learn - Write-in Hillary on your November ballot and put a real person in the White House, not a media image.

Here's a major problem with this country. Most of the people commenting on this issue have no idea what the real facors affecting gas prices are, yet they toss their opinion around like they know what they are talking about. This is the same problem we will see in the elections. People you have the internet. Now go use it and learn about the issue and then come back and comment. At the very least learn about all the issues, before the election.

Obama didn't do anything while in Illinois except to vote "present" all the time. Now he is talking big until his next flip-flop.

I am an OIL speculator myself

I bought 10,000 barrels of crude oil @ !$65 last year, NOW….I selling it for over 100% profit.

YFI — Oil speculators are those who don't really need oil, but still buy oil and keep the oil until the price goes up and then sell.

What are you going to do to me ….Obama?
….. I'm making lots of money on the backs of many poor working Americans.

The Obama's the first family of America I can't wait to see it.

Several people in the oil industry, including someone in the Saudi government, have made the comment that oil in the current markey should cost less than $80 a barrel. They have said the current price of oil is not sustainable. If the people in the oil industry that are actually making money when we buy oil say there is a problem, then who are we to argue with them?

In the past, the cost of oil seemed to change little from day-to-day. But once the speculators became involved, the cost of oil would change several dollars a barrel a day.

Not sure if Obama or any other politician will do anything about this. They (republican or democrat) seem to be good at making promises…and then never get anything done when they are elected.

Lisa: NONE of the candidates have a-z steps to their platforms but we get a glimpse of their sensitivity to issues, and where they are capable of seeing the issues rightly. Kind of like a doctor who needs to diagnose before prescribing a cure. Some doctors keep treating the symptoms of the disease (drill, drill, drill to satiate addiction) while others get to the core (impact of speculation and a working plan for clean, renewable energy, that leaves a better world for our children to build upon,etc.).

The cures will come in time when people like you and I push for reform and hold our legislators accountable. After an election like this, I hope that we are all more invested in our nation's future by "thinking globally and acting locally", as a wise man said.

Please think and vote "Democratic" - We are spending billions of dollars on a war. — We own other countries trillions of dollars. —

We are losing jobs, losing homes… and because of that war losing lives.

Since Bush, we are losing a lot…– now with the floods, which will cost billions. Now food will go up.

This is not about whom you like or dislike — this is about the Democrats winning… Please do not vote McSame.

GO OBAMA! That's the way stick to the issues that we are really concerned with. We don't care who is VP searching for you or how you select your team. You have already made a real change in how business is done! You have motivated millions and in return they want to be active with millions…………….Keep it Real!

Great dress Michelle! You looked great can't wait to see the next outfit.
Truly a lovely family!

How is Senator Kennedy doing?

you guys only worried about the few drops of oil they can drill out in about 10 years if they are lucky ??? what about your work, housing, retirement, health care and roads and bridges to drive on ???

What about cutting down on how much you drive and upgrade your vehicle to bicycle or feet ??? maybe some could loose a few pounds and get healthy

4 dollars for gas is nothing, just wait to McCain invades Iran and most of the world puts its eyes on us, of course then we will be able to get work in the army…… Or we run out of oil, then it is going to be real fun….

And we dont even wanna talk about human rights and McCain… or how he treats women and takes money from people who degrades women..

Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama…..CNN, please give us a break. I know there is real "news" that you should be reporting!!! How are the flood victims coping?? Please report on something other than Obama!! Thank You,

Obama 08 A brand we can beleive in

Yeah David… the Saudis are our friends…keeping the price at $55.00. The oil companies have created the increased global demand that drives the increase in price. And all of this to what purpose?

But the Saudis poor things are not benefitting from this mess.

Americand refused to create an alternative back in the 1970s… when we first saw what could happen.

By now we should be like Brazil… energy import independent

Wasn't it Karl Rowe who Said this last week On Fox

I see Obama watches Fox.

I'm an Obama supporter (and a Republican) - I disagree with him here….we are a capitalist society…and trading futures on the market…and speculation is part of the deal…..if we negotiate with OPEC to increase production (as there is NO shortage) - then the same people will loose their shirts….its part of the game

We need to loose the left (and right) wings of the party - its time we were Americans first….not blinded Democrats…..and equally sight challenged Republicans - no Bush didn't cause oil prices to go up….lets read alittle bit before we blog…can we agree to that??

Wasn't it Karl Rowe who Said this last week On Fox

I see Obama watches Fox.

See? a socialist…. capitalism is bad

I can not take one more minute of this smug man and his tiresome lectures.

Only he knows best… yeah yeah yeah

No… He wants to be King and everyone should obey his edicts.

IMPEACH THOSE WHO DESERVE TO BE IMPEACHED. VOTE OUT LYING, GREEDY, SNEAKY, SNARLY REBUGNENTS AND LET'S GET GOING WITH A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY. INDICT ALL CROOKS IN GOVERNMENT, AND LET'S START SEEING GOOD WORKS BEING DONE. LET'S TRY THE "DO UNTO OTHERS" STRATEGY FOR A NEW AND DIFFERENT APPROACH. ADD "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF". FEED THE HUNGRY, CLOTH AND SHELTER AND CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED. HEAL THE SICK. STAMP OUT GREED. GO ABOUT DOING GOOD.

Obama is on the money again.Another Texas crook,Gramm,should be in an orange jumpsuit.He and Cain thought up this scheme.First it was Enron and now its all Americans getting the shaft.

if you guys want to live better lifes you would vote for obama you see now how gas stations have been ripping people off giving less gas for more money charging 50 cents if you use a credit card

Nationalize the energy industry.

Nationalize health care.

Government controls on futures markets.

And there will be plenty more.

Obams's DNC = French National Socialist Party.

Only good thing is that Obama will go back on his word and probably won't carry out these promises either.

It's time for a speech, Senator!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most of the increase in oil prices has been because of speculators. If they did not allow speculation, the price of oil would be close to where it was years ago.

FINALLY!!! Someone with enough courage and intelligence to accurately see the problem and advance sensible solutions. Instead of the idiot Republicans simply calling for more drilling, Sen. Obama wants to actually address the real reason for high oil prices. Why anyone votes for Republicans when their party has a vested interest in showing that government can't work is really beyond me!

Gramm is a low life bottom feeder.The loop hole is the reason.Go get Obama,GOOD WORK.

WE CANT DRILL OUR SELVES OUT OF THIS HOLE, WE NEED FUTURISTIC THINKING, LIKE ELECTRIC CARS AND STUFF, NOT MORE DRILLING….MORE FUEL EFFICIENT CARS….

Mimi De La Cruz ~ um…. sweetie….. we can't blame Bush for this one… good ole Bill Clinton signed this law into affect, read the whole article… preferably the last line.

Much like obama….. you need to get your facts straight before you spew your goo.

The problem with rising oil prices is not pure speculation but pure supply and demand. It is not a republican vs. democratic view.

We will see another broken promise from Obama!!

Don't worry about it, Senator Obama, just give a speech and the price of oil will go down the next morning!! Please, give us speech. These gas prices are killing me!

How much has big oil contributed to your campaign??

Leave the speculators alone! In the end, high oil prices is going to be the reason the world invests in clean energy. The best way for us to get electric vehicle technology up and running is to get oil prices as high as possible. Look at Saudi Arabia, they are already afraid demand for oil will drop because of high prices! Thats exactly what needs to happen. The speculators are doing us a favor. EV's are just around the corner.

Who is your VP running mate?

Thomas, does Obama have more than a slogan to fix the energy problem, I don't think so. Keep the fast talk, I want actions. Brooks had it right, Fast Eddy, is all talk!

Once I started looking at the votes Obama actually cast, I began to hear his rhetoric differently. The principal conclusion I draw about "change" and Barack Obama is that Obama needs to change his voting habits and stop pandering to win votes. If he does this he might someday make a decent candidate who could earn my support. For now Obama has fallen into a dangerous pattern of capitulation that he cannot reconcile with his growing popularity as an agent of change.

From couterpunch

Unless America purges itself of its extravagence, there is nothing any president can do not even GOD, to help them,
habits have to change,
habits have to change,
habits have to change,
habits have to change,
habits have to change,
habits have to change,

Oil men?…..Patriotic?…LOL………LOL………Surely you Jest? It's that all mighty dollar that speaks to the Republican oil man……he cares for nothing and no one.

i just like the fact that he's at least trying to do something for this country. if you give him a chance he may just make our lives easier. everyone says he's not going to do this or that but they thought Bush would be a good pres. for 8 years so maybe the bad judgement comes largely on the parts who voted him in office and then wants Mccain to come in and break america even more. if we learn to read and think instead of just jumping up and saying negative and hateful things then we might be better off as a country. until then reality is some people like him and some don't no matter what he says. me, i think it's time for a change

vero possumus 08

We have david goldman for Obama… and Mimi de la Cruz… come on Biff… 58 white old ladies…. slipping up.

Get on it now.

Me… Never Obama. Cheating and lying and hypocrisy never went over well with me… especially when you cast yourself as Mr. Clean.

Another shot… staring up this man's arrogant nostrils.

enough already.

We know he is smug and superior and feels entitled.

Where is the raised finger?

McCain is a Flip Floper
Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xy8-QdHQFI

The government "cracking down" on investors? I guess this proves Obama is a communist.

You are cute, sweetie, but I never vote for a dirty rotten liar who cheats and steals his way to the top.

So your smile and charm are lost on this OLD lady.

We need Senator Obama in the office ASAP. Hurry, hurry November. Good thing I can walk to the polls.

But, but…., isn't an increase in oil supply the perfect remedy for speculator driven oil prices!!??

winning by cheating is not winning at all.

we will remember in Nov.

women for fair politics

Obama stole this whole issue from Hillary. She repeatedly warned us about the energy traders and what they had done to the residents of California a few years ago and she was ready to take them on. Obama didn't have a clue and, of course, there was never a peep from him about it. NOW he's using her issue, her words, and pretending it's all his. Give a little credit where its due, Loser!

> Obama you said Hillary's plan to help the American people save on
>gas was politics at it's best. What is your plan to help the American >people save on gas this summer? Ooh I forgot you don't have a plan, >just speeches

Are you illiterate or junk plain oblivious? Read the article! Obama wants to close the Enron loophole (which allow speculation, rather than supply/demand to set market prices for oil). In Saudi Arabia, gas is currently less than $2 a gallon. By fully closing the loophole, crude oil prices can be cut by about 50%. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

What happened to his wanting to tax the oil companies who in turn would tax us? So now it is cracking down on free market - think this was Nadar's plan - sounds like capitolism or marxism or whatever it is that obama stands for.

Barack is good at blaming others… not so good at doing anything but sing his own praises.

The doer is Hillary.

But I will suffer McCain for 4 more years if need be until a true leader can become our next president.

It's funny to see the front page news with Obama pictures. Each picture usually has him yelling, extending his arm, pointing his fingers. The problem is photography couldn't capture his other mouth, the one he used as a serial liar.

common sense?

common sense tells me you are nothing but a pandering liar that will take the popular position of the minute… so long as it costs you nothing and can be used to advance your own self.

Till I see you actually DO something…other than praise yourself and orate what great deeds you WILL do…

You don't fool me

If you want to be president Obama……….pick Hillary for veep!

Obama/Hillary 08

and I want Obama gone.

Wanting isn't doing.

It takes work to make it happen.

To jenn, Who cares if this is straight out of Ralph Nader's playbook?? Nader is NOT EVER going to be elected president and a vote for Nader is essentially a vote for McCain. Isn't it better to vote for the candidate who has a chance to win the presidency who believes in the same things that Nader does? Why would you vote to defeeat the more progressive candidate? Why would you selfishly want to subject the rest of us to more years of torture because of your own notions of who came up with the idea first? Vote Obama or move to Canada — or NEVER complain again for what you (and Mr. Nader) are carelessly inflicting upon this nation.

Your credibility is shot now…
so your words no longer matter.

We know you will do whatever you need to do for your own advancement.

That is change we can believe in.

All else is show… and growing old at that.

MIchael Moore showed us in the 9 11 movie how Dick Chaney said we will pay what ever we tell them to pay…

This is just a plot hatched by President Bush and Dick Chaney and company flatting their wallets

Get a lawyer and sue the Oil Spectulaters and the compamies////

Isn't this the same type of crack down on capitalism that China has in place!?

He wants to play with the market price. In this days of internet, market is almost efficient, and price is determined by demand and supply.
What you do is so loud, I cannot hear what you say. Do not treat us like fools..

Nadar who?

go obama keep up the good work you are gonna make a wonderful president cant wait go obama yes we can and yes we will!!!!!!!!!!

Obama the builder.
Yes we can!

Why isn't the media calling out John McCain on his Oil Drilling flip-flop. The McCain defenders are saying that McCain ony flipped because of high gas prices. But just 4 weeks ago (when prices were still very high), McCain said the following:

"[W]ith those resources, which would take years to develop, you would only postpone or temporarily relieve our dependency on fossil fuels," McCain said when asked about offshore drilling. "We are going to have to go to alternative energy, and the exploitation of existing reserves of oil, natural gas, even coal, and we can develop clean coal technology, are all great things. But we also have to devote our efforts, in my view, to alternative energy sources, which is the ultimate answer to our long-term energy needs, and we need it sooner rather than later."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/18/mccains-offshore-drilling_n_107872.html

you are the man and our saver please tell Mccain to quit. Obama 08!!!!!

Lisa:

IT WAS POLITICS. It's simple, you see. If all goes the way it was supposed to… you would have saved roughly $30 FOR THE ENTIRE SUMMER. And 300,000 people would have been out of a job this summer, and the roads would suck. But most likely, the oil companies would raise the price of gas to make extra money, and they would do it especially if we tried to make them pay for the tax through a windfall profits tax. So Hillary's "plan" wouldn't have made any real difference.

Now, what Obama is saying is that we need to invest in long term solutions, not short term bandaids. He is saying that we need to crack down on the oil industry that's been deregulated by the republicans so the American people can stop being pushed over. He also says we need to spend money to create alternative energy sources in this country. That would create millions of jobs, end our reliability on the Middle East, end the financial bleeding and help with the climate crisis. Will it help your pocketbooks this summer? No Lisa. Will it help the entire country 5 or 10 years from now? We will be much better off.

Look at the big picture.

David… your horrible spelling does not fit in with the education level of the group you pretend to represent… My Jewish friends are far more educated and eloquent than your simple posts have been.

PLEASE OBAMA CRACK THIS CRIMINAL ENERGY COMPANIES DOWN.

It feels like Monday… all the posers for Obama- the fake white ladies and Mimi de la Cruz… and David the token Jew for Obama, and Biff are coming back.

At last the real culprit of high oil prices is coming to the forefont. Speculators not supply and demand. Even if there were oil rigs all around the Gulf at a spacing of five miles apart, the price of oil per barrel would still be the same. All this drilling hawked my McCain is pure BS. Obama will close this loop hole.

David… you and other phony bloggers stop barking….

That is all you Obama supporters know how to do.

And tomorrow he will exercise his right to change his mind.

I have changed my mind about voting for you.

You do not have the strength of your convictions.

You will do ANYthing to win- still in the primary and you have backtracked from your own positions on just about everything.

Except…feeling entitled to the presidency.

Thanks Obama God will help you and your family at home. Becauce the George W Bush Go to iraq to fight for wht, the time the USA go to Iraq the oil was 18 Dollar per barel now is going to 200 dollar wnt the poor country are doing country like Sierra Leone 1 litter of petrol is 7 dollar people there are living onder 1 dollar a day wht a shime in this world.

The DNC is inflated and their dollar isn’t worth much they couldn’t buy last four states with their money so they fixed the SD numbers. Now they don’t want to buy 18 million votes but they want 18 million to pay for them.

Rise Puma rise and 18 million and more.

The DNC should be the one to be blamed for losing their party members a lot more so than their candidate selected.

Thanks Obama God will help you and your family at home. Becauce the George W Bush Go to iraq to fight for wht, the time the USA go to Iraq the oil was 18 Dollar per barel now is going to 200 dollar wnt the poor country are doing country like Sierra Leone 1 litter of petrol is 7 dollar people there are living onder 1 dollar a day wht a shime in this world.

Why isn't the media calling out John McCain on his Oil Drilling flip-flop. The McCain defenders are saying that McCain ony flipped because of high gas prices. But just 4 weeks ago (when prices were still very high), McCain said the following:

"[W]ith those resources, which would take years to develop, you would only postpone or temporarily relieve our dependency on fossil fuels," McCain said when asked about offshore drilling. "We are going to have to go to alternative energy, and the exploitation of existing reserves of oil, natural gas, even coal, and we can develop clean coal technology, are all great things. But we also have to devote our efforts, in my view, to alternative energy sources, which is the ultimate answer to our long-term energy needs, and we need it sooner rather than later."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/18/mccains-offshore-drilling_n_107872.html

Obama will say whatever he thinks it takes to get him elected president.
Should he become president, I think we will be looking back at the end of his first term in wonderment……wondering where we went wrong and how could it have happened…..again.
Too many promises,too many easy solutions to our major problems by Obama.

Just my take.

To Lisa - I guess you are really in need if that $30.00 gas savings you would have gotten for all of a total of 3 months. Quit hating!

I can not fathom how any one in their right mind would ever believe McCain after all his flip-flops on nearly EVERY issue he has ever touted as proving his independence from lobbies, Bush Jr.'s policies and right wing neo-cons. Keep in mind, that most of the flip-flops have been in the last four years during which he has been aspiring to gain the presidency. What a total sell-out.

Anyone but McSell-out 08!

Can we go after these lobbyists and energy price manipulators, especially after their lobby dollars stop being influential in the Washington. "Yes, we can".

Repugnocants can't run, can't hide from the truthiness of his Obama-ness!

SPECULATORS ADDING THE REST. THEY

WERE DEREGULATED BY REPUBLICANS.

The bill in question was signed into law by former President Clinton, AKA Bubba.

How about dropping the taxes (talk about pure profit) on gas which I suspect brings in more money than the profits, care to see if the Dems support that position?

I don't think so………………………..

Democrats have owned Senate and House for several years now. They just don't get it. They tried this bill 2 weeks back and it FAILED because they introduced all this other garbage into it (ie windfall taxes which by the way is socialism).

You people need to realize your current Democratic leaders are not performing. Had they simply introduced a bill to require more oversight of international speculators on the US oil indexes and markets then it would have had bi-partisan support. But no….you had to introduce other socialistic programs into it and also the environmental stuff as well.

Anything Obama has will NOT beat 5 years for offshore drilling. PERIOD.

Waiting for a solution from ANYONE that can beat 5 years.

Some hope:

US Oil crisis + Oil drilling in US = solve US Oil crisis

The truth is :

US Oil crisis + Oil drilling in US - China & India use US Oil = US Oil crisis

US Oil crisis + Oil drilling in US - OPEC to reduce Oil pump = US Oil crisis

The answer is:

US Oil crisis - US to refuse using Oil = no US Oil crisis.
Refuse using oil = Alternative resources, renewable resources

SAUDIES SELL THE OIL AT ABOUT $55.00 A BARREL.

THE REST ADDED BY ENRONE TYPE COMPANIES.

BUSH & CHANEY & MCBUSH HELPED DEREGULATE.

THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF LOBBYISTS CAN DO.

What I find interesting is that some of you are so quick to harshly judge Barack Obama but so far he has been open and honest about his plans whether we like what we hear or not. He is not pandering for votes like others.

All of you McCain supporters had better take a long hard look at your candidate. For the last three months he has been using "private" funds to run his campaign and yet the moment Barack decides to use private funding, you are so quick to lash out. Your candidate is in hot water already over campaign finance yet he takes on the role of supreme candidate as if he has not flip flopped consistently for weeks now on nearly a daily basis.

If I had to chose whose flip flops are the worst, McCain hands down.

what a relief Obama cares about oil prices now. he sure didn't when he voted for the Cheney Energy bill. The same bill that gave big oil huge tax breaks. It's hard to keep up with all his changing positions. I guess this week he's against big oil, and those who drive up oil prices. Who knows what it will be next week.

Obama has at least come up with a plan. Mccain just wants to keep chanting the bush mantra.

@Mark PDX @ 5:12pm

What do you have stock in one of the major oil companies…does the term "economic bubble" mean anything to you? Unchecked free trade can backfire…the mortagage industry is a perfect example. We will all pay for it in the end.

I am a republican who is voting democratic. I would have voted for Hillary if she were the nominee. You democrats need to stop fighting amongst one another, at least you got one of the two best candidates on the november ticket. We republicans got one of the worst thats why only 34% of republicans are enthusiatic about this election.

This comment was approved by Republicans and Independents for a Democratic President.

CNN post this comment.

The Repugnicans are dirty with oil and energy greedy slime, money-grubbing filth. Time for CHANGE, time to clean house, enough is enough. America, wake up, you are being had by these corporate scum-sucking slimeballs.

Clinton has been saying this since… like, forever.

Our next president is all about "hope and change" so I'm trying to get into the swing of things early… I'm sitting here in my living room hoping that gas prices will get under control. I'm hoping and hoping. I'm hoping really hard…

Hmmm. So far it's not working…

NObama N'08

I voted for Clinton in the primaries because I didn't know much about Obama. Now that I know A LOT about Obama, I will vote for McCain.

I LOVE OBAMA AND PEOPLE NEED TO WAKE UP AND GET WITH HIM BECAUSE HE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CARES TO MAKE OUR LIFES BETTER!!!!!!!!!WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

low dollar
global growth
geopolitical tensions

why does he blame the money people, he seems to pander to the poor as if all the poor people voting for him will help this election. The other country which does this is Iran.

There will always be rich and poor and has been proven throughout mankinds history

obama is change you can choke on

and no, I am not a racist

Lisa June 22nd, 2008 5:09 pm ET

Obama you said Hillary's plan to help the American people save on gas was politics at it's best. What is your plan to help the American people save on gas this summer? Ooh I forgot you don't have a plan, just speeches.
—————————————————————————————————-
-it was politics…and she couldnt implement it by this summer…she nor mccain had that power…it was a short-term plan that owuld have tekn 100's of millions out of infrastructure and would have meant the loss of thousands of jobs…Barack has a long-term plan of investing in alternative energies and increasing the mpg….so do your homework before you post gibberish.

Senator Obama is all talk! How will his continued Republican bashing help him work across the aisle? This is not change! He has no experience and his short senate career does not support his false words.

Democrats for McCain!

Senator Obama is brillant!
We need his leadership in the White House.

Shut it, Lisa, Marc, and Conservatist. You wouldn't know that energy is important, but oil won't last forever. What are you going to do when the last drop of "black gold" dries up?

Obama 08

I Ogree with Lisa and Marc PDX. We need to stop Osama's evil ways. OIL FOREVER!

At least someone is trying to improve the economy and the environment.

You go Barack.
We're with you all the way.

If Bush was a good leader, he would:

1. Ask the oil execs to use part of their windfall profits to voluntarily ROLL BACK fuel prices.

2. Surrender some of their exorbitant profits to help finance the needy Americans, who are hurting most from the overly high fuel prices.

3. Better to educate than to legislate.

If young PATRIOTIC Americans can be investing lives, limbs, and mental health in Iraq and Afghanistan for the good of the nation, then surely OIL EXECS CAN DEMONSTRATE SOME PATRIOTISM ALSO.

Oil execs can invest some of their exorbitant profits for the good of the nation.
Why do business people not believe that patriotism is ALSO demanded of them, especially in a time of crisis?

Oil prices are man made! No so-called 'market' made.

Overly high prices only means that oil execs have OVERLY COMPENSATED for the difference between Demand and Supply!

Isn't a crackdown on the free market kind of anti-capitalism, comrade?

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD & YOURSELVES

START READING FOLKS. THE WHOLE OIL MARKET

PHONY, JUST LIKE ENRON. ANOTHER MOVE INTO

OUR POCKETS. & I DON'T BLAME THEM. I BLAME

THOSE THAT VOTED FOR BUSH. NOW THE SAME

MORONS WANT TO ELECT A FEEBLE MINDED,

GERIATRIC VERSION OF BUSH, WITH THE SAME

AGENDA. WHY CAN'T THESE FOLKS GET IT.

careful not to upset that oil man in the White house. He cares more about oil than our nations infrastructure.

Obama you said Hillary's plan to help the American people save on gas was politics at it's best. What is your plan to help the American people save on gas this summer? Ooh I forgot you don't have a plan, just speeches.

Thank God someone cares. Go Obama Mc Cis hopeless. He thinks Valdimir Putin is the President of Germany.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfealLrWLIY

How will he close the loopholes? Will it require another bill? Will it be like the one he did for Exlon? Both candidates are guilty of hyperbolzing every topic. I don't believe either one of these candidates have the slightest idea of what they can or cannot do. Our stupid elected officials cannot write a bill without adding their pet projects to it. I think we need a line item veto. We could eliminate the garbage that is attached to every single bill. They seldom even resemble the original bill. "I'll support your bill if you add ?????" is where the pork or the deals are made. The President signs a bill to get what he/she may want, but must also sign for the garbage. There ought to be a law against adding things to a bill.

Obama's comments on cracking down on energy speculators–did he copy this from the scripts of Ralph Nader—I THINK SO. Come on Obama do you think for yourself. VOTE RALPH NADER!!!!!

I HAVE BEEN BARKING THIS FOR YEARS.

THE SAUDIS SELL THE OIL CURRENTLY

AT ABOUT $55.00. THE ENRONE TYPE

SPECULATORS ADDING THE REST. THEY

WERE DEREGULATED BY REPUBLICANS.

THINK ABOUT IT JUST FORE A MINUTE.

THEIR NEXT COMMODITY MIGHT BE CANCER DRUGS.

WE ARE GETTING THE SAME SHAFT BY THE SAME PEOPLE.

Yep, people love money alright, LOL!!! I call it natures water……..but you know, it has taste, LOL!!!

Wow, now Obama is going to crack down on oil speculators—-is there anything he's "not" going to do? There's no way he'll do 1/10th of what he's promising and he knows it. It's all pandering—-those
who are lying prostrate at his feet are going to be so disappointed.

Oilmen no likey.

Most of the American public has NO CLUE what shenanigans those "elitist" wealthy (Repbulican AND Democrat) are doing to screw them over.

Obama's attempts to cast a light on these schemes will not be welcome.

Worse yet are the schemes in other parts of Wall Street, with the Fed and the Treasury. Unfortunately, that is the land of elites and it's going to take some serious courage to take them on. As much as I couldn't vote for Ron Paul, he's fighting that fight and we'll all be the better for it.

If you can stop all that illegal nonsense without breaking the law yourself, I say YeeeeHaaaawwww !!!

Go Get 'em Barack !!!! All of them.

We all know what Enron did before and they can not be trusted. I don't care who was in office when it was signed. We need Obama to close it! More drilling won't fix this. It just plays into the oil companies and trade's hands. Don't be fooled by them.

How many loopholes have you used to get the nomination??? Although you really don't have it yet!!!!!! God willing you won't get the Nomination in August!!!

Pres. Clinton signed into law the Commodity Futures Modernization Act. The loophole was a rider buried somewhere deep in the context of the Bill (authored by one Phil Gramm) and was subverted in legalese. Typical Republican tactic of slimy the American public and then trying to cast the blame on a Democratic president. The Republicans are such sleaze-balls and McFlip-flop is the biggest one of the bunch.

Didn't McCain want a "tax holiday?" So now McCain campaign states McCain thought of closing the loophole first? McClown has it wrong or is he losing his marbles?

What do ya know? McCain's clueless on the economy, and his economy man was involved in Enron! Goes to show that Obama is once again the right man to entrust the economy to.

Unless, of course, you're in the "PUMA" secret society and wouldn't mind paying over $10 per gallon of gas.

Cintinuing to watch McCain debate himself is just getting tiring. Enough already Being a POW does not mean he knows what he is talking about on Iraq. His constant flip flopping on every single issue is scary. Enough already.

You mean the same Enron loophole that was authored by Wendy Gramm, the wife of McCain co-chair Phil Gramm? The same Enron loophole that was pushed onto Congress when Wendy Gramm was Commodity Futures Trading Commission chair? The same loophole that McFlip-flop vehemently objected to back in 2003 but VETOED in 2007 when Phil Gramm became his co-chair? Now, why would we want to talk about that?

OBAMA WNATS. HE ACTS LIKE HE IS GOD OR THAT HE IS ALREADY PRESIDENT OF U.S.A. O.B. LIKES TO DIRT EVERYONE THAT HAS SOME KIND OF RELIEVE FOR OUR COUNTRY (HRC, MCCAIN ETC.) IF HE DONT THINK IT UP ITS NO GOOD. HE IS SUCH A JOKE. I HOPE HRC COMES TO HER SENCES AND DONT TAKE VP. OR EVEN SUPPORT HIM. LET HIM FALL HIMSELF. O.B. ISW STUCK ON HIMSELF AND NEEDS TO FALL ON HIS FACE. THE ARROGANT,HYPOCRITICAL CHICAGO CON MAN. AMERICA GETS WHAT THEY ASK FOR.

Go get em' Bam!

Bring the dirty dogs to jail!

Now we are getting to a real issue that affects "we the people." Good job President Obama.