Archive - Jul 21, 2008

In a new television advert released today, McCain attributes the high gas prices to Obama. McCain would like to persuade the American public that Obama not Bush is responsible for the failed Energy  policy we currently have.

Steve Benen does a great job in breaking down the ad. The ad claims gas prices are high “because some in Washington are still saying no to drilling in America." Benen quickly notes, "No one is saying no to “drilling in America.” There’s all kinds of drilling in America. There’s drilling in U.S. waters, and on U.S. land. I don’t know of a single U.S. policy maker who wants “drilling in America” to stop."

The ad would like to create the false perception that "drilling in America" (which we already do) will some how lower gas prices in today's market. Alan Stewart Carl of Donklephant gives his two cents on that particular notion. He claims, "If we canceled the ban on offshore drilling today, we wouldn’t be able to add any additional oil/gasoline to market until 2030." Even after that small amount of gasoline hits the market, it would only lower prices by 30 cents for 6 months at the most.

So at the end of the day McCain does not offer any true solution to the high gas prices . . . he just offers a short time solution for a long term problem. There is no secret that oil is a non-renewable resource. It will cease to exist one day. Instead of endorsing a pragmatic Energy Plan for America . . . McCain will rely on the failed antiquated policy of W. Thank you for giving us insight into another reason why McCain does not know what the heck is going on.

Alan Stewart Carl of Donklephant claims not to believe in the “liberal media” myth but cries “liberal bias” when all three major network anchors join Barack Obama on his foreign tour. He claims that John McCain would receive no coverage “if he journeyed to the moon” and such coverage is typically reserved for Presidents. He concludes by stating that Obama will benefit from this trip and he was wrong about thinking that “the media was McCain’s base.”

I find this post and complaints from McCain supporters amusing since this is exactly what McCain did one month ago. Keith Olbermann entertains the claims from the McCain campaign and offers his insight on the issue. McCain staged a foreign tour around Latin America for no explicit purpose other then a photo-op. It was McCain that went to Iraq and then chastised Obama for not visiting the region. It was McCain that ignored law enforcement pleas from Iowa when he wanted to stage a photo-op in the region after the devastation from the rainfall/flood.

Carl may attempt to remind us that Obama’s situation is different. He has three major network anchors along for the ride. I agree that is different because the Obama camp was keen on inviting those individuals. McCain could have but never invited those three anchors. Obama on the other hand did so and they accepted his invitation. Carl would like to paint a picture where these three major network anchors decided to scorn McCain and go on the trip with Obama.

As for the media bias in this election, I will have to claim that it is not liberal. Obama has been scrutinized far more than McCain. In fact, when Obama is not being personally judged, his wife, pastor or supporters are footing the bill. As for McCain . . . racist jokes can slide by, his hot temper is justified, his flip-flopping is ignored and his lack of knowledge on the economy and foreign policy is not examined. Talk about a bias . . . yes there is a bias and it is against Obama. How else can you explain that the amount of people that believe Obama is a Muslim has increased to 12% since January?