The President seems to acknowledge that’s he’s got a growing weak spot on energy, as can be seen in the television ads both his campaign and one of those devilish, secretive outside groups [1] that have Tim Kaine in such a lather are running in the state.
The President’s ad goes like this:
To accept the premise, we have to ignore the wholly inconvenient fact that then-Sen. Obama voted for [2] the very tax deductions for oil companies he now decries and, in his now deader than Jacob Marley budget [3], the President’s budget boffins proposed giving oil companies fresh, new tax cuts [4].
We must also ignore the fact that oil production has risen — but only private lands [5]. Oil and gas production on federal lands is actually falling.
As for the renewables push the President continues to make, the news today that Solar Trust of America, which received $2.1 billion worth of conditional federal loan guarantees had declared bankruptcy [6].
With an energy record like that, it’s no wonder the President is a bit touchy on the subject. And plays fast-and-loose with the facts.