The Stakeholder

GOP Talk on Gas Prices

Posted by Brandon English
Aug 12, 2008

DCCC Press:

Republican Spin:

Minority Leader John Boehner (OH-08) is arguing "that their protests were already helping to lower oil prices." [Roll Call, 8/11/08]

Reality:

"Hard evidence is emerging that the changing behavior of consumers and businesses may be making a dent in the oil market. The Energy Department reported last week that demand for gasoline for the four weeks ended Aug. 1 was 2.3% lower than in the same period last year. Declining demand is the prime force behind the oil market's recent slide." [WSJ; August 12, 2008]

"The International Energy Agency said oil prices will remain high despite their recent drop and lessened demand in developed countries." [MSNBC; August 12, 2008]

"A stronger U.S. dollar is also pushing oil prices down." [MSNBC; August 12, 2008]

After months of pushing President Bush and Big Oil's agenda by blocking one commonsense measure after another to ease families' pain at the pump, Minority Leader John Boehner and his colleagues in the Grand Oil Party now claim credit for the recent drop in gas prices. You read that correctly - economics be damned, House Republicans believe that because they are talking about the cost of gas, prices are declining.

"After Republicans have spent years ignoring Americans' struggle with high gas prices, it's amazing that Minority Leader Boehner and his Grand Oil Party colleagues in the House now believe that their words are lowering gas prices," said Jennifer Crider, Communications Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Minority Leader Boehner and Republicans in Congress should now use their ‘magic words' to address other economic squeeze issues Republicans have long been ignoring while middle class Americans struggle to make ends meet. In that spirit, we suggest a few issues that House Republicans ought to stop ignoring and start talking about so that those costs also decline - - rising unemployment rates, increasing grocery prices, and the skyrocking cost of health care."

More than 438,000 American jobs were lost in 2008 alone under the economic agenda of Bush and his Republican rubber stamps. When will Minority Leader Boehner start talking about those job losses so hardworking Americans can get back to work?

Bread, milk, and produce all cost more. American food prices increased more than 5 percent in one year under the economic agenda of Bush and his Republican rubber stamps. When will Minority Leader Boehner start talking about the cost of food so that Americans will be less squeezed at the grocery store?

More than a million family homes in foreclosure under the Bush economic agenda? When will Minority Leader Boehner start talking about the housing crisis so middle class Americans won't lose their homes?

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