“It's hard for the President to convince the public that he's really in favor of "all of the above" when he's disapproved the Keystone pipeline and drastically limited oil and gas exploration on publc lands. The Republicans have an easier case to make.”
“Just look at polling data, renewables in 80 and 90 percent range with both Republicans, Independents and Democrats. Fossil fuels only resonate with Tea Party which cannot elect a President”
“The Republicans are just barely winning. The script will be the same as last year... 'The problem is greedy oil companies!' 'No, its locked up natural resources!' 'No, its greedy speculators!' 'No, its mindless bureaucrats!' ”
Neither
"Neither, as both are not very substantive...”
“Today, neither side has the advantage and that is why both are scrambling to find the political high ground. Polling suggests that most Americans reject the White House position that not much can be done to influence oil prices, and thus those at the pump. The President is perceived as the head of the government. Yet, a majority of Americans are not yet feeling a household budgetary impact (see WSJ poll of 3/5). That will change after prices peak over $4 a gallon and then the Republicans will likely gain the upper hand.”
What do you consider the most effective arguments being made on energy in the campaigns? What do you think is getting through to the public the most?
"All of the above is fine and good, but Americans understand that wind isn't powering them to work every day. "Drill now" and Keystone XL will become rallying cries that drown everything else out, much like Summer '08 when prices "only" hit $4.12 and then, not until July."
"I haven't seen many effective arguments by either party. They are so busy slinging mud, the critical issues of long term energy security, rate and price stability, water availability and environmental protection are being subordinated by sound bites."
"The President's energy message focuses on the future and shows a "can do" spirit, new technologies will create jobs; the Republican message looks to the past and is rooted in fear, embracing a 19th Century fuel for the 21st Century, implying that future U.S. industrial competitivesness depends on dirty, inefficient 50-70 year old coal plants"
"When you have high gas prices, the American people understand drilling. They see through "renewable" power that has no impact at the pump."
"All of the above" -- very inclusive and feels good. Both parties are trying to capture public's attention with the essence of its message."
"I think the President is doing a good job of explaining that there is no silver bullet, which is certainly true (at least in the near term), but is not very satisfying to the average voter."
"Interestingly both side are making the same meta arguments: 1) We need to remove our dependence on foriegn oil: 2) We need all of the above in the US to do so. And the public agrees. The details are where the differences lie. And those arguments are yet to be won - by either side."
"It hasn't been made yet... "If more drilling worked to lower natural gas prices why won't it lower oil prices?" There is a reason why the markets are different but the explanation takes longer than most listeners attention span."
"Increasing production of oil and gas, increased renewables, and fuel efficiency are Obama's strongest arguments. Republicans strongest are the high price of gasoline and uncertainty about Keystone XL."
"Public likes to hear about long-term solutions that will give them a choice in whether to pay high gas prices. Public also repsonding to points about oil subsidies and speculation, and the possibility of tapping the SPR. But even if the public gets that this is a long term issue, they still want prices to come down -- it's too soon to tell how that frustration will play out in the election.
National Journal’s Energy and Environment Insiders Poll is a periodic survey of energy policy experts. They include:
Jeff Anderson, Paul Bailey, Kenneth Berlin, Andrew J. Black, Denise Bode, Kevin Book, Pat Bousliman, David Brown, Neil Brown, Stephen Brown, Kateri Callahan, McKie Campbell, Guy Caruso, Paul Cicio, Douglas Clapp, Eileen Claussen, Steve Cochran, Phyllis Cuttino, Kyle Danish, Lee Dehihns, Robbie Diamond, David Di Martino, Bob Dinneen, Sean Donahue, Jeff Duncan, John Felmy, Mike Ference, David Foster, Josh Freed, Don Furman, Paul Gilman, Richard Glick, Kate Gordon, Chuck Gray, Jason Grumet, Christopher Guith, Lewis Hay, Fritz Hirst, Jeff Holmstead, David Holt, Skip Horvath, Bob Irvin, Bill Johnson, Gene Karpinski, Joseph T. Kelliher, Brian Kennedy, Kevin Knobloch, David Kreutzer, Fred Krupp, Tom Kuhn, Con Lass, Mindy Lubber, Frank Maisano, Drew Maloney, Roger Martella, John McArther, Mike McKenna, Bill McKibben, Kristina Moore, Richard Myers, Aric Newhouse, Frank O'Donnell, Mike Olson, T. Boone Pickens, Thomas Pyle, Hal Quinn, Rhone Resch, Barry Russell, Joseph Schultz, Bob Simon, Scott Sklar, Bill Snape, Jeff Sterba, Christine Tezak, Susan Tierney, Andrew Wheeler, Brian Wolff, Franz Wuerfmannsdobler and Todd Young.
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