Kerry-Edwards Campaign: Even Bush's Secret Saudi Energy Plan is a Failure

[bigtree]

8/12/2004 1:30:00 PM
To: National Desk and Political Reporter

Contact: Chad Clanton or Phil Singer, 202-464-2800, both of Kerry-Edwards 2004, Web: http://www.johnkerry.com

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the Kerry-Edwards Campaign:

With oil prices hitting record highs, it is increasingly apparent that the Bush energy policy is failing. The only plan Bush seems to have is relying on his Saudi friends to boost their production. Journalist Bob Woodward told us in April that that Bush and the Saudis had a plan to lower oil prices before the election to help Bush's re-election chances. Even with the news of Saudi boosting production, oil prices continue to skyrocket, proving that even Bush's secret Saudi oil plan is a failure.

"Everyone is familiar with this White House's close ties to the Saudis. What's unfortunate is that even Bush's secret energy plan isn't doing anything to reduce these record high gas prices. It's surprising that an administration that's so close to the Saudi government still can't get the 'jawboning' done with OPEC," said Chad Clanton, Kerry campaign spokesman.

Oil Prices Skyrocketing...The price of oil closed at $44.80 a barrel in New York, up 28 cents yesterday. The record price at the end of the day was set this past Monday at $44.84 a barrel. According to the New York Times, "Prices within pennies of $45 have been seen during trading several times this week." (New York Times, 8/12/04)

...But Bush Plan Does Nothing to Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil. According to the New York Times, "Bush said soon after taking office that his goal was to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil, to increase domestic production and to make energy cleaner and more affordable for all Americans. None of these things has happened. The country still imports nearly 60 percent of its oil, close to a record. American oil and gas production have remained flat, gasoline and heating fuel prices have been high, and renewable fuels still account for less than 4 percent of American consumption." (New York Times, 2/23/03)

More: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=130-08122004

[Kierkegaard]

1. * retort

"See, I hold a whole buncha records for all my hard work over the past three years. Record energy costs, health care costs, unemployment, budget deficit, days on vacation, first to go to war unprovoked, and I'm a just gettin' started!"