August 27, 2008
Posted: 12:10 PM ET

From
 Jimmy Carter, a superdelegate, has endorsed Obama .
Jimmy Carter, a superdelegate, has endorsed Obama .

(CNN) — Is there a connection between big oil and Republican politicians?

Former President Jimmy Carter certainly thinks so. In an interview with CBS’s Harry Smith, the former president said the November election is to thank for lower oil prices.

“Between now and November, I predict that the oil companies will hold out on oil prices a little bit,” Carter said with a laugh, “you know, to try to get the Republicans the ticket.”

In July, after the Senate voted to crack down on oil speculators, Republicans vowed to block any further measures until the Senate came to a vote on energy-related issues—in particular, the GOP push to increase oil production.

With the economic outlook dim, and prices at the pump still high, Carter said Wednesday the economy will be the deciding factor for voters come November — just as it was during Bill Clinton’s first campaign for president.

“I’m afraid that by the time January comes along the economy will be the most serious problem in America,” Carter said.

Accusing John McCain of being in the pocket of big oil has been a consistent line of attack from Democrats in the past few months. Moveon.org along with the Obama campaign, have released ads spotlighting what they call the Arizona senator’s “ties” to oil executives.

Filed under: Jimmy Carter


pthrill   August 27th, 2008 5:19 pm ET

So all you Obama supporters…if he gets elected and the price of all stays the same or even goes higher, what is going to be the explanation for that???? You'll have a democratic congress and president. I would love to learn more about that…..please enlighten me.

New Yorker   August 27th, 2008 5:17 pm ET

I CAN NOT BELIEVE CARTER HAS THE NERVE TO TALK ABOUT OIL PRICES !!! I remember waiting in line to get gas when he was in office, not to mention the myriad of other problems this country had and still suffers from as a result of his poor policies. Good grief. I'm glad he's doing something useful now, redeemng himself.

Noemi in Los Angeles   August 27th, 2008 5:14 pm ET

In L.A. gas prices have begun to drop a few cents. Last month they were over $4.02 a gallon. This month, they're at $3.98… which is dramatic considering that we have not seen a drop in months! Now I know what's behind the gas price drops… Big Oil trying to keep GOP in the White House.

Debbie   August 27th, 2008 5:13 pm ET

Mike from TX.

It was Nixon who was President during the gas shortage of 1973. I know, I was not allowed to purchase gas on even days.

Independent   August 27th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

ummm in case no one has notices oil prices have been dropping for the last month…thhey are down by over 20%.

Ever since the administration changed their minds on offshore drilling. THats the psychological effect that you all keep making fun of..and chiding. Well guess what its how the markets work… learn it… and stop complaining.

If Obama gets elected the psychological effect will result in higher prices because he is against foreign oil independence… If Mccain wins prices will continue going down because he for foreign oil independence

Katrina   August 27th, 2008 5:10 pm ET

CNN: "Accusing John McCain of being in the pocket of big oil has been a consistent line of attack from Democrats in the past few months." Lol. Let's rephrase that: "The fact that the Republicans are in the pocket of big oil has provided the Democrats with good ammunition." Remind us, where's GWB's money from? With whom did Cheney hold closed meetings, the notes on which he refused to make public? How much money did the Oil companies give McCain after he promised to "drill here drill now"? Did you hear Schweitzer? "We can't drill our way out of this mess even if we drill in all of McCain's backyards, including the ones he doesn't remember he has."

Really, you guys are getting FOXier by the day…. painful to watch and read.

Steve   August 27th, 2008 5:08 pm ET

A comparison of Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush

Jimmy Carter–human rights crusader who pressured foreign nations to treat their citizens with dignity.
George W. Bush–refusies to permit inspectors from the Red Cross to visit our POW camps. Sanctioning the torture of American prisoners. Warrantless wiretaps, libraries compelled to keep lists of who checked out certan books,

Jimmy Carter–No American lives lost in war overseas.
George W. Bush–4,000 American lives lost in a war of choice in Iraq.

Jimmy Carter–Camp David Accords establishes peace between Israel and Egypt
George W. Bush–with US support, elections in the West Bank bring Hamas to power.

Jimmy Carter–pardons those who resisted the draft during the Viet Nam War.
George Bush–extends the tour of duty of Americans in the national guard serving in combat overseas. .

Jimmy Carter–Boycotts the Soviet Olympics over their invasion of Afghanistan.
George Bush–personally attends the Chinese Olympics despite their occupation of Tibet and their policy of compelling women who already have one child to undergo an abortion.

Jimmy Carter–no mention in history books of floods or hurricanes because relief was handled promplty and professionally.
George Bush–Katrine strands people for days without food or water.

Jimmy Carter–creates the Department of Education to centralize federal scholarships and grants.
George Bush–No Child Left Behind which compels useless and invalid testing, testing and more testing and imposes most of the costs on the local school districts.

Jimmy Carter–warns Americans that we are too dependent on foreign oil and predicts a crisis should we not become energy independent.
George Bush–His vice president meets oil executives behind closed doors. Whatever occurred remains a secret but oil prices double.

Jimmy Carter–eventually received the Nobel Peace Prize.
George Bush–not likely.

Sue   August 27th, 2008 5:06 pm ET

It is simply amazing to me how the democrats despise "big oil". The oil industry is the backbone of modern capitalism. Is that what you want to kill, capitalism, and then install marxism or just a pimple socialism?

Carlos, NM   August 27th, 2008 5:04 pm ET

Carter is the worst president of the modern time, he should not be saying anything

JB   August 27th, 2008 4:56 pm ET

Why did Carter tell Hillary to "give it up" well before the primaries were over. Carter has lost a lot of respect from a lot of people in this election season. It was odvious that he was for OBama but he should have let the people vote before pressuring Hillary to get out of the race. And what what does he know about oil prices? We had the worse oil crisis in history during his presidentcy.

rice, bryan   August 27th, 2008 4:52 pm ET

that's been the game of the gop since 9/11. big oil has had one hell of good time for 8 years. and they sure hope the good times will continue if mcbush is elected. they contribute heavily into his campaign run, they will expect to be treated very kindly in return. now for those of you that need a hit in face with an oil barrel. this means they want things as they are now with the criminal bush as president. after november if mcbush wins oil prices are going to jump through the roof.

OPEN YOUR EYES   August 27th, 2008 4:51 pm ET

OPEN YOUR EYES AMERICA!!!

Crisis in Georgia and Russia…Oil drops!

Hurrican Season underway and T.S. Fay sets record landfall
and Oil Drops!

Iran supposedly launches Satellite into Space..Oil Continue to drops!

If these moments happened in 2007 we would be watching oil continue to spike..

Last week when Oil Reserves were predicted to be low Oil Spike $5..the next day for reasons unknown Oil Dropped $6..

In America we have reduced our driving in the Billions of Miles driven monthly..and for years we have been told that Oil has risen due to our high demand..

Each of us have curtailed our consumption and have in many ways helped ourselves, but We Are Told To Believe that since Bush lifted the Executive Ban on offshore drilling that this in MENTALLY scared the Oil Market.

OPEN YOUR EYES!!

If you telling me an oil baron such as T. Boone Pickens has no interest in trying to impossibilty of "drilling our way out of this mess."That we need to become independent of foreign oil not just with domestic oil but with alternative energy.

Jimmy Carter may have missed the boat on the fact that we are conserving more..he is correct that certain conditions that have spiked oil in the past have all but been ignored to keep oil down this election season.

Short memories   August 27th, 2008 4:50 pm ET

People who think Bush is a worse President than Carter either weren't alive then or don't remember Carter. I'll take a guy who stands up to a dictator like Saddam Hussein over one who backed down to the Ayatollah any day. All Carter had to do was merely threaten aggression and the hostages would have been home in a week.

Helene   August 27th, 2008 4:49 pm ET

He is right. It's the economy stupid ! And McClone is clueless about it.

writeinhillary08   August 27th, 2008 4:48 pm ET

oil companies wish they could control the price. Price of oil is based on the international oil market. China used to be a nation of bikes, now its a nation of scooters and cars. Same for India. If Jimmy can get them back on bikes, then the price would go down.

Canadian Bacon   August 27th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

the DNC has done it. they have successfully sucked the brains out out of Democratic voters and filled it with pure unreasonable hatred.
If you believe the DNC, Bush must be the most powerful and smartest man in the world. he has been able to increase the price of oil for the whole world to make himself rich.

Kevin   August 27th, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Carter-bashing may be fun for some, but please don't discount the work this guy has done for the poor people in the world. Bush may want to do the same type of work.

mike   August 27th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

Rocco,
The WTC attack in 93, the USS Cole, (having the opportunity to take out Bin Ladin and choosing not to) Clinton slashing the defense budget over 8 YEARS and Bush being in office for 8 months and 9/11 is his fault? Please.

California Gold   August 27th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

President Carter is a good guy, well inside the info loop and has insight we lack. When he was Governor of Georgia he was the only elected official with a picture of Martin Luther King, Jr. hanging in his office at a time in our nation's history when MLK was divisive and believe me, Carter endured a huge amount of anger and flack over that but he never backed down. He revealed election corruption and cleaned up the voting scams. He was a good President. I'd take another Carter Administration over George Bush (take your pick) any day, any year, any time.

The Hanoi Hilton Songbird   August 27th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

"…said with a laugh…" As in he was joking… Quit turning every little joke into a chance to praise your Songbird war hero

BillShneiderDaMan   August 27th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

Why is Mr. Carter is predicting oil prices? I think his best work has been after his presidency where he was working for charity and humanitarian/ diplomatic efforts. I guess he must have felt that his presidency was a failure.

Rocco   August 27th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

There are people who still think Jimmy Carter was the worst president? Can you say 9/11, Iraq, Iran, Patriot Act, warrantless wiretaps, secret torture camps, and attempted sale of US ports to Dubai? Who's the worst? Yeah, that would be George W. Bush.

Justin   August 27th, 2008 4:30 pm ET

Carter, you've messed up once with your "windfall profits tax". You're a crazy idiot, were a horrible president, and I can careless what you have or will ever have to say. If anyone takes advice from you, history really does repeat itself because nobody listens. We're destined to repeat our major failures of the past because of this.

Constitutional Lawyer   August 27th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

And the 10% drop in demand ahs nothing to do with the price going down? Once again Carter is proving he doesn't understand basic supply and demand, Every Econ 101 student understands the concept, but not Carter. Although, we do have to give him credit since he proved how inflationary wind fall profit taxes becomes.

susan from nebraska   August 27th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

I remember the gas shortages and increase in interest rates and gas prices when Jimmy Carter was president. He had begun to redeem himself in my eyes when he went to work with Habitat, but then he opened his mouth and started talking again. I say send Jimmy back to the peanut farm.

Obama/Biden   August 27th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

of Bush liking will bring more threat to our country. Obama/Biden ticket is very strong on national security and Biden as well as Obama is well respected around the world. Obama has better judgment on every single issues that we need on a president than mccain. That is why we must vote Democratic this November to prevent a second 9/11 and have someone who is ready for what ever decission to defend our national security in case of any plot.
Do not listen to the republican scare tactics and believe anything they have to say. The republican is the party we as voters should stay away from this November. They have done enough to our country and the economy and we cannot afford for more years of economic disasters and begging China to lend us money.

James L   August 27th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

Jimmy is correct. … George Bush will become the wealthiest President in American history when he leaves office because of his connections with the Big Oil companies.

Bean   August 27th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

Gas prices will fall after summer… I'm willing to bet the leaves will fall too!

Tony   August 27th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

Carter might have been the worst president of m lifetime - until we got Bush.

Rob indetroit   August 27th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

Jimmy carter is right the oil prices will fall once the Republican convention nears it's because bigoil whether american or middle-east has owned the republican party , it's time for the rest of america to wise up.

Vegas   August 27th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

Has Jimmy Carter ever been right about anything?

ehhhhhh….. NOPE…..

marsg c   August 27th, 2008 4:18 pm ET

That did happen last election!

ran   August 27th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Mr. Carter is so right and I can only hope more people see how big oil and the current administration and the Republicans have abused us so much in the past 8 yrs. What do you think they were planning in that meeting with Chaney in 2001? Anwser: just what we have now with gas prices. People WAKE UP. Vote Obama/Biden and Democrats to get our country back.

steve   August 27th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

if people read more newspapers and books they'd know OPEC controls the price of oil.
but no, go put your blinders back on and tow the party line, evil cartoonish republican fat cats in a smoky dark room somewhere decree what the price of gas will be.
laughable.

the US government makes more in taxes of a barrel of oil than the oil companies make refining and selling it.

PUT A WINDFALL TAX ON THE US GOVT!

Reality Check Richmond Virginia   August 27th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

yep.

Noah, from the all important swing state of Michigan   August 27th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Jimmy Carter is the best former president! He's the only one who goes around personally building houses for poor people!

Task   August 27th, 2008 4:11 pm ET

Isn't anyone going to bring up the half a million dollars Obama has recieved from oil execs this election? Anyone who think that Republicans are the only ones in big oil's pocket are kidding themselves. Gas prices went from $1/gallon to $2/gallon under Clinton and dropped to $1.80 just as he left office.

Former BO & Dem Supporter   August 27th, 2008 4:09 pm ET

Like Carter would know….why didn't the oil companies react sooner to make McCain look even better to potential voters. Oil companies might affect the price to some small degree but you cannot control the GLOBAL SPECULATION MARKET!!! Which is why we need to be drilling for our own oil….get out of the foreign oil market!!!

Ross   August 27th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

Carter the "worst" president ever………try this moron who just ruined our country in 8 short years as the WORST ever!

I hope republicans lose every seat they have contested!

sharon walker   August 27th, 2008 4:08 pm ET

DEAR FRIENDS:
WHAT GOES UP COMES DOWN! JUST LIKE THE SAVINGS AND LOAN . LED TO THE MORTGAGE CRISIS AND YOU IGNORED THE CRIME. WHO IS PAYING BILL

R.O.B.   August 27th, 2008 4:05 pm ET

Of course, I said this in July. The price of gas is going to continue to drop, probably down around the $2.50 mark or lower by the time the GE comes around. The top executives at the oil companies are Republicans. They are dropping the price of gas to try to not give the Democrats anything to argue and make a case about. But it's too obvious and too late, the majority of Americans aren't going to be stupid enough to fall for the banana in the tailpipe this time around. We all know that if the Republicans win the election, the price of gas will be back where it was or even higher by the time February rolls around.

OBAMA / BIDEN '08

Michael in Houston   August 27th, 2008 4:05 pm ET

Uh first of Richard you are not a PUMA you are a R-PAD (Republican Posing As Democrat) okay now don't for get your new name. Alrighty got that out of the way. Of course they are going to manipulate the oil prices to get back in the oval office. That's what Repubs do. Hey McFix the oil prices, if you really want to convert me, bring the gas prices back down to pre Bush years and maybe, just maybe, you will be able to call yourself a real Maverick.

I am on CNN politcal ticker punishment for some reason!

Ron Ft. Myers   August 27th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

Bendo, you're unbelievable! What was your point?

Carter? The guy was the worst president this country ever had and working for Habitat for Humanity will not buy him forgiveness. He was an example of change for change and we sure got it. Interest rates have never been as high as when that moron was in office. He appeals to all the nut cases.

If Bush is in fact controlling oil prices, why are oil prices coming down during the DNC? The president, in fact, isn't controlling much of anything, be it oil, outsourcing, etc. You want to help the economy, buy American! Then American Express and all the other corporations, that no president can control, will still be in our country.

JT in California   August 27th, 2008 4:01 pm ET

Why is Jimmy Carter the only one who calls it like it is? The American public has been robbed by the U.S. oil industry, yet no one is getting angry at them? Are we all so undereducated that we don't know when someone is blatantly ripping us off? These are the same creeps that are lobbying to keep a lid on renewable energy. Think about it. If we elect John McCain, we'll get four more years of oil company pandering and disregard for working people in this country.

Jim   August 27th, 2008 3:59 pm ET

I've noticed this too everytime there is an election going on oil price's come down. The last senate election same thing happened.

dave in RI   August 27th, 2008 3:58 pm ET

it is because of this sorry administration that our dollar is so weak. As a result of the weak dollar, the oil is high. The repugs have let the speculator run wild. it is not rocket science to connect the dots. The only people who can not sdee this are blind or they are following blindly

TCE   August 27th, 2008 3:57 pm ET

Who are on the boards, the CEO's, the CFO's and the majority stockholders of these oil companies and their subsidiaries–Republicans or Democrats? My bet its more the former than the latter, so maybe Carter's not that far off base.

Biffington, Biff   August 27th, 2008 3:52 pm ET

Mike - Texas…

EVERY SINGLE THING YOU MENTIONED WAS SET UP BY THE BUNGLING ADMINISTRATIONS OF NIXON-FORD….

THE GAS SHORTAGES WERE IN 72 AND 74….

DUH!

richard   August 27th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

Attention these are not PUMA's who are posting that they are moving on. These are Obama minions. Be aware. Same people who said Florida and Michigan were moving on. PUMA power.

Dan, IL   August 27th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

Who's Carter? :)

Denise   August 27th, 2008 3:48 pm ET

Not if Gustav strikes and Russia keeps behaving like Goliath

jeff   August 27th, 2008 3:45 pm ET

I like how Jimmy Carter acts as if he was an actually good president

Adam Jones   August 27th, 2008 3:45 pm ET

Oil companies have been manipulating gas and oil prices for decades. Everybody knows it. But now its even worse, because Cheney and Bush are both oil men who are making all the money on it. Yet another reason for impeachment.

Hillary's Speech Made John McCain President   August 27th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Mr. Carter you are 100% right on this. I suspected this last week but believe it or not-people are stupid enough to fall for it.

Obama/Biden '08

Pat Riot   August 27th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

Pfftbahaha. Is he serious? It never ceases to amaze me how far liberals will go to distort the facts in their favor.

Reasonable Observer   August 27th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

If I could believe Republicans have the ability to control World oil prices, I would never vote any way other than Republican. Having that kind of control over the marketplace would ensure US economic success.

I find it amazing the a former US President (arguably not a very good one) would advance such a theory. Also amazing is that there are people that believe that theory. I am wondering who these folks think control the other commodity markets.

Concerned   August 27th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

The price of gas didn't start going up until the Democraps took over Congress in 2006, hmmm????. And as for Carter, look at the mess he left us in and Regan had to fix!!

Scott Robinson-Woodinville   August 27th, 2008 3:30 pm ET

This is exactly what happened in 2006. Oil companies were raking in the profits until a few months before the elections, at which point the prices dropped…until a few days after the elections, of course,…and then marched up again. This was done to help republicans. It didn't work, of course, but every little but of help is appreciated. By this time next year, of course, oil and gas will be up again. Remember I wrote it.

-Scott

Matthew   August 27th, 2008 3:29 pm ET

As a Democrat I say, will somebody please keep Jimmy Carter quiet? He was the worst president in recent memory and his conspiracy theories and controversial statements on the Middle East do more to hurt Democrats than help.

nitro   August 27th, 2008 3:29 pm ET

I thought I was the only person that notice that the minute the Exon profits were reported and people started to talk about it the price of gas started fallen and have not stop since. Its a shame how stupid the republicans think the American people are.

V   August 27th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

Gas prices went down before the 2006 mid term elections too. I do think the GOP has a hand in it

JinNJ is still undecided   August 27th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

He was a failure as president and is not doing anything to deter votes from McCain. The more I learn about BO the more he reminds me of Carter and pushes me toward McCain.

indiePA   August 27th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

Does this come as a surprise to anyone??? These are the same people who want us to think that giving them the rights to even more drilling holes will somehow bring us a lot of oil, reduce the price, etc., etc. DON"T YOU BELIEVE IT!!! The only purpose further drilling rights will serve is to keep us indentured to the oil industry at an even higher cost. If they want McCain elected, you can bet that it's not in the best interest of the citizens of the U.S.

Keep our USA safe! McCain 08   August 27th, 2008 3:27 pm ET

WHO CARES WHY! No one will ever know the real reason,.Justl let it keep coming down…..

plainandsimple   August 27th, 2008 3:27 pm ET

People are really making this decision much harder than it needs to be. If you are happy with the way things are in this country then vote McCain, for it will surely continue in the same direction for 4 more years.
If you believe there has to be a better way then vote Obama. I'm pretty sure he can not make it worse. You should also remember that no one elected as president starts the job with any experience whatsoever in their first term. It's not possible - the only experienced guy is the guy beginning his second term. And how did that work out for America last time? Oh Yeah….not so good. So much for experience!

Clinton, no, wait, McCain Supporter   August 27th, 2008 3:22 pm ET

I don't think the Republicans are going to need much help from the oil companies, Mr. Carter.

The Democrats appear to be doing a find job of electing Mr. McCain.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   August 27th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

To anyone who looks at many things, this will not come as any great surprise. There are many connections between the GOP and OIL. It isn't a hard sell to connect these groups and what they can do together.

Joe C   August 27th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

@ Darko - Then why does the GOP refuse to acknowledge that speculation has an effect on the market, and in fact deny it? Why do they tell us it's all due to demand from China?

Michael   August 27th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

Carter's gray matter is showing it's age. Since when has any force in the US been able to tell OPEC what the price of a barrel of oil should be? The best we can hope to influnce it is by altering our own demand for it. Like by producing more of our own while at the same time reducing how much we need overall by developing alternative forms of energy. In other words the complete McCain package. Carter is a waste of time. The economy was a disaster under his watch.

MCD, SF, CA   August 27th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

I totally agree with Carter… said it myself just the other day. McCain says there is nothing wrong with the economy… now they have to make it appear that way.

I use to be a level-headed person but after what I've seen over the past 8 years… I'm willing to believe just about ANYTHING when it comes to the present admin. No ethics, no morals and don't even get me started on 'VALUES'

Martin Corbin   August 27th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Not only will the oil prices drop, but we'll see more progress in Iraq. You can already see how the Bush Admin is taking the Dem's viewpoints in Iraq and making it appear that they are accomplishing something to keep the Iraq vote in McCain's hands.

KC   August 27th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Mike - Texas, you need to go back to school and learn what caused the oil crisis under Carter.

Sue   August 27th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Of course it will, and Sidekick will claim it was because he was a POW!

mike   August 27th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Wow. Oil has been going down for the last 7 weeks and now Carter "predicts" that the Republicans are controlling it between now and November. Isn't the price cyclical, spikes in the summer and begins to lower in the fall? Any more revelations, Jimmy?

Manuel TX   August 27th, 2008 3:12 pm ET

Haven't Pelosi and other Democrats been demanding the release of some of the federal emergency oil reserve, specifically to drive down the price of oil.

If the Republicans are going to orchestrate activity to drive down the price of oil to win an election, wouldn't they have jumped at this opportunity instead of fighting it?

On one hand you have Obama supporters slamming Bush for the high price of oil, and also slamming him for wanting to lift the ban on offshore drilling, which had an immediate impact on oil speculation and the price of oil, and now Obama supporters are spinning the notion that there will be a conspiracy to drive down the price of oil. Seemingly, Obama supporters want as much negative news on the economy and war as possibly to justify the election of their candidate.

What lunacy.

I guess that Obama's personal merits as a candidate are not enough to get him elected and his supporters agree.

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S. Boatman   August 27th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

This Is Why Republicans Will Be Voted Out Of The White House This Year! Mccain Is Not Mentally Capable Of Being The President! I Question His Military Record! He Is No Hero! He Is A Manchurian Candidate!

Joe C   August 27th, 2008 3:10 pm ET

@ Wedge - The oil prices will come down not because big oil fears the republicans, but they fear the windfall profit tax they will have to pay under a democratic administration. They will do ANYTHING to not let that happen, including a huge loss in the next 2 months. Exxon-Mobil just posted the largest quarterly profits IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD!

ReverendZ   August 27th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Carter is a good decade older than McCain - but would still be a far better choice today for president. Shoot, he's a better choice for that office now than he was in '76.

Janine   August 27th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

You know what's funny - I was actually thinking the same thing about gas prices the other day. That gas prices were going down due to the fact the election is getting closer.

Bendo   August 27th, 2008 3:07 pm ET

correction Nixons Cap: was on wages and prices not taxes my mistake.

darko   August 27th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

Gustav is a shadow of what Katrina was…it will not drastically affect prices.

Hurricanes have been hitting the Gulf platforms for decades…they're prepared. Prices will be affected by Georgia/Russia more than Gustav.

Scott, Wichita   August 27th, 2008 3:06 pm ET

I can't wait until four years from now, when people in bread lines are looking back and saying to themselves "maybe we DID need someone with more experience than a speech in 2002 to run this nation"

darko   August 27th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

What a moron…why oh why do the democrats keep trotting this guy out in public? The GOP loves you for it.

Oil is a GLOBAL MARKET. The entire USA can't control the prices, much less the GOP.

The prices are going down because speculators believe that the US will begin expanding it's domestic drilling and production in the next decade.

Crazy how that works, huh???

philosopherkingtomas   August 27th, 2008 3:04 pm ET

What does Ross Perot think of McCain????

Black Truth, AZ   August 27th, 2008 3:02 pm ET

The GOP is going to responed like they have in the past… oh wait they did not responed and look at the mess LA, MS and the rest of the Gulf Coast are still in today!!!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12

Tammy   August 27th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

The same thing happened two years ago when the Republicans were set to lose Congress. While it's nice now, I hope people remember when they were paying more than $4 a gallon. Because if the Republicans take the White House, it will be back up there before you know it.

Big oil knows who butters their bread. They'll forego a little bit of profit this quarter to ensure four more years of insane tax breaks and favors from the White House.

Marge Hibbing Mn   August 27th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

One politician can see the truth….I bet the go down and down and down. They want to get those republicans elected….

Farrell, Houston, Tx   August 27th, 2008 2:59 pm ET

Additionally, if you think Bush, McCain are bad news just give Louisiana Gov. Jindal an opportunity and you haven't seen anything. He's in bed with them also.

eric   August 27th, 2008 2:58 pm ET

Had we listened to Carter when he was in office, we wouldn't be in the position we are today with high oil prices. Carter was one of the wisest presidents we ever had but conservatives, in their love of ignorance, laugh him off because he had the audacity to suggest our gluttony of oil was not sustainable. This election's October surprise? Oil just under $100 in a deliberate attempt to engineer another Republican administration. Disgusting.

jerry   August 27th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

Jimmy has now lost his mind, just like most dems

Sherry, Atlanta   August 27th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

OF COURSE MCCAIN IS IN THE OIL POCKET. . .AND MORE REASON'S TO VOTE AGAINST MCCAIN:
1- MCCAIN MADE 'ANTI-AMERICAN' STATEMENTS, WHILE IN VIETNAM
2- MCCAIN LEFT A CRIPPLED WIFE WHEN HE RETURNED FROM VIETNAM
3- MCCAIN'S INVOLVEMENT IN 'KEATING 5 SAVINGS AND LOAN'

AND MCCAIN IS CONSTANTLY TELLING AMERICA THAT HE PUTS HIS COUNTRY FIRST. . .

MCCAIN=LIAR, CHEAT, THIEF

IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME. . .DO YOUR HOMEWORK. . .I DID MINE!

OBAMA/BIDEN '08-'12

EBC   August 27th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

Now what McBush? Are we going to hear….

WHEN I WAS A POW…. POW…. POW….

WHEN I WAS A POW…..I didn't have a chair, a table, a car, a yatch, a private jet, a million dollar "barbie doll" I left my first wife for… thousand dollar suits, $600 pairs of shoes, 7+ houses….

WHEN I WAS A POW…..I didn't have chair, a table, a car, a yatch, a private jet, a million dollar "barbie doll" I left my first wife for… thousand dollar suits, $600 pairs of shoes, 7+ houses….

WHEN I WAS A POW…..I didn't have chair, a table, a car, a yatch, a private jet, a million dollar "barbie doll" I left my first wife for… thousand dollar suits, $600 pairs of shoes, 7+ houses….

WHEN I WAS A POW…..I didn't have chair, a table, a car, a yatch, a private jet, a million dollar "barbie doll" I left my first wife for… thousand dollar suits, $600 pairs of shoes, 7+ houses….

WHEN I WAS A POW…..I didn't have chair, a table, a car, a yatch, a private jet, a million dollar "barbie doll" I left my first wife for… thousand dollar suits, $600 pairs of shoes, 7+ houses….

ObamasTheOnlyChoice   August 27th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

and this comes as a surprise to who???

Farrell, Houston, Tx   August 27th, 2008 2:57 pm ET

This ain't no joke. If Americans aren't angry now and don't hold John McCain and the Republicans responsible for what they have allowed big oil companies to reign upon us, I don't know what it takes. Let's get these Republicans out of office with the quickness.

George   August 27th, 2008 2:56 pm ET

Not only lower oil prices but another war or international crisis where we can find Republicans finger print there

v.a.   August 27th, 2008 2:56 pm ET

yep, doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. glad president carter just comes out and says it. he might not have been the best politician, but he was always honest.

Joe Regis   August 27th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

The price better fall or else!

Speculators will find difficult to gouge consumers like they have been allowed to under Bush.

No more repubs, not this year.

beevee   August 27th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

That is what I also thought would happen. Oil prices will come down between now and election time to give boost to the republicans and getting the votes of americans to elect the GOP candidate. The oil industry is Pro GOP and everyone knows it.

Franky   August 27th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

LOL!!! All I'm gonna say is do you think I trust the GOP??? LOL!!!

Like I said, there more slick than Bill Clinton himself…

Mike - Texas   August 27th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

And this comes from this doofus that gave us;

Under Carter, we had 18% interest rates and run away inflation.

Under Carter, we had gas shortages and gas lines.

Under Carter, we had stores running out of food because of the gas shortage.

Carter led to one of our alies ,the Shaw of Iran, to be over thrown to give us the mess that we have in Iran today.

Carter did more to mess up the country in 4 years than Bush has done in 8.

Carter has NO room to talk.

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, Utah   August 27th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

Not if Gustav gets its way! Look out GOP thing will get large and remind Bush/McCain they were not present for Katrina!

Tropical Storm Gustav may regain hurricane status. This Hurricane will send a clear message a to the GOP next week.

It will remind everyone of Katrina I hope no one gets hurt though. It will take the news away from the Meeting of the Top Crime Family's in Minn. next week!

Remember how that freak Dobson asked that his cult pray for rain during Obama's speech? Now there's a good chance that a hurricane will strike the US during the GOP convention. Hmmmmmm.

Wedge   August 27th, 2008 2:52 pm ET

Wow, what a simpleton. Sure, the Republicans wield that much power over the global petrol trade, even with a lame duck president and no control of Congress? In that case, hell, let them win both branches, maybe the spike in oil prices since the 2006 elections was punishment!

joe   August 27th, 2008 2:51 pm ET

jimmy carter the man!he is right except for supporting a loosing candidate - hillary 2012

Kevin,FL   August 27th, 2008 2:50 pm ET

Jimmy Carter is the last man who should be talking about Oil or Gas Prices

Bendo   August 27th, 2008 2:48 pm ET

wow, now isnt that the real October Surprise, Mclame: " the reasons why the price of oil has come down, is because I spent 5 yrs in a communist prison cell, I didnt have a car"!

Spencer from VA   August 27th, 2008 2:45 pm ET

Does Jimmy Carter know something we don't?

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