From the NYT: Bush Calls for Less Driving.
Mr. Bush's comments, while similar to remarks he made shortly after the disruption from Hurricane Katrina pushed gasoline prices sharply higher, were particularly notable because the administration has long emphasized new production over conservation. It has also opted not to impose higher mileage standards on automakers.
I'd take him a lot more seriously if he'd said to Detroit, "Look. I know you guys make thousands per car on SUVs, but your country can't afford to use the amount of gas they require. So figure out how to make them run as hybrids. Oh, and by the way, I'm gonna demand that Congress institute CAFE standards that actually encourage you to build smaller cars. The only people who need Hummers are in Iraq."
Posted by Linkmeister at September 26, 2005 09:45 PM | TrackBackI noted the same thing; I think Bush must be losing it. Diana Moon of Letter from Gotham has suggested that maybe Bush is on a suicide watch, or something. It's all unraveling around him: his approval rating has dipped into the 30's, and there seems little reason for it to come back, given that even in the event of a terrorist strike, it's likely to more quickly evoke memories of Katrina than 9-11, as most American municipal officials are much more in the Nagin mode as opposed to Giuliani...
But, I mean, for President Arbusto to suggest that we drive less... no, he's just lost it. Where's that cowboy swagger that he loved to shove in our collective faces? To tell Americans that they should cut back on ANYTHING? Shared national sacrifice, of any kind?
Outrageous.
Just outrageous.
Posted by: the talking dog at September 27, 2005 04:56 PMI've got to agree with you on this one.
Posted by: ruminator at September 29, 2005 12:39 PM