Will Republicans be able to continue attacks on Obama’s energy policies in light of the perception that the oil and gas industry is getting along better with the White House?
(42 votes)
- Yes 93%
- No 7%
Yes
“EPA actions during the Obama years provide plenty of material for Republicans to criticize. Moreover, oil and gas aren't the only hydrocarbons American companies produce and use — the White House has much less shelter on coal.”
“Even with warm relations, more than eight out of 10 attack ads against the president are about his energy policy.”
“The GOP has never let facts stand in the way of ridiculous attacks. Why would that change now?”
“They will try their best to differentiate themselves, but it will be a hard sell.”
“As long as gasoline prices remain high, the president is vulnerable to political criticism from Republicans on his energy policies.”
“Neither party lets the facts stand in the way of a good story.”
“Yes. Despite the fact that domestic oil production is up, the switch from coal to natural gas will be driven in part by EPA regulation and [that] the price of oil is set on a global market, Republicans will continue calls for 'drill, baby, drill,' attacks over Keystone XL, gas prices, fracking, and Solyndra. Count on it. Old habits die hard.”
“The manufactured détente means nothing outside of the Beltway. Fuel prices have softened, but $3.70 [a gallon] still takes a huge toll on families. And at the end of the day, the White House can't deny that 83 percent of all federal lands are off limits to energy production, and production on federal lands is down.”
“It may be harder now for Republicans to land punches related to oil and gas because the administration has called off the dogs, but many voters still think the president would like to thwart production and consumption of fossil fuels. Every time the president singles out the oil and gas industry for unfavorable tax treatment, voters are reminded of the White House's true goals. I think voters get that when you tax something, you get less of it.”
“There's still plenty of ammunition for the Republicans, and they will be able to use it effectively in at least a few states — places where people really care a lot about coal, oil, and natural gas.”
“Energy is one of the president's biggest vulnerabilities. From Solyndra to 'cap and tax,' the administration has pursued one energy flop after another. The president's campaign team must agree, since their first ad was a defensive spot on their energy record, and the follow-up was a campaign swing through the country's energy heartland. Republicans are going to continue to pound away on the president's energy record to make sure he doesn't get away with trying to mask it.”
No
“I think the biggest problem for Republicans is that gasoline prices have eased. The attack line isn't working as elegantly now.”
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, Michael Bromwich, David Brown, Neil Brown, Stephen Brown, Kateri Callahan, McKie Campbell, Guy Caruso, Neil Chatterjee, Paul Cicio, Douglas Clapp, Eileen Claussen, Steve Cochran, Phyllis Cuttino, Kyle Danish, Lee Dehihns, Robbie Diamond, David Di Martino, Bob Dinneen, Sean Donahue, Tom Dower, 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, Linda Stuntz, Christine Tezak, Susan Tierney, Andrew Wheeler, Brian Wolff, Franz Wuerfmannsdobler, and Todd Young.
Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox. Sign up for National Journal's morning alert, Wake-Up Call, and afternoon newsletter, The Edge. Subscribe here.
Leave A Comment