Obama: ‘Instead Of Subsidizing Yesterday’s Energy, We Should Invest In Tomorrow’s’
In this weekend’s YouTube address, President Obama reiterated his call for an end to subsidies for the oil and gas industries:
“Understand, I’m not opposed to producing oil,” said Obama. “I believe that if we’re serious about meeting our energy challenge, we need to operate on all cylinders, and that means pursuing a broad range of energy policies, including safe and responsible oil production here at home. In fact, last year, America’s oil production reached its highest level since 2003.
“But I also believe that instead of subsidizing yesterday’s energy, we should invest in tomorrow’s – and that’s what we’ve been doing. Already, we’ve seen how the investments we’re making in clean energy can lead to new jobs and new businesses. I’ve seen some of them myself – small businesses that are making the most of solar and wind power, and energy-efficient technologies; big companies that are making fuel-efficient cars and trucks part of their vehicle fleets. And to promote these kinds of vehicles, we implemented historic new fuel-economy standards, which could save you as much as $3,000 at the pump.”
GOP Rep. Lankford: Obama Administration ‘Has Knowingly Increased Energy Prices’
In this weekend’s Republican address, freshman Rep. James Lankford (R-OK) criticized President Obama on the issue of gas prices:
“Americans are looking for leadership to tackle the rising gas prices, but President Obama has only offered a tax increase on energy and the prospect of reduced supply. For more than two years, his administration has knowingly increased energy prices by choking off new sources of traditional American energy and smothering our economy in new energy regulations. His latest proposal – hiking taxes by billions of dollars – will not lower gas prices and would actually make the problem worse.
“In my state, and in many other states, thousands of people depend directly on American energy production for their paychecks. The President may think he’s punishing CEOs of big companies, but his plan will hurt the everyday consumer of energy and imperil the jobs of millions of hardworking people in American-based companies.”
Obama Meets With Giffords
CNN reports: “President Obama and the first lady went to the final launch site for the space shuttle Endeavour Friday where Obama personally visited with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords for about 10 minutes, a White House official said. Obama also met the entire Endeavour crew, including Gifford’s husband and mission commander Mark Kelly.”
Obama Says Will Keep Pushing Immigration Reform
Reuters reports: “President Barack Obama on Friday vowed to fight for immigration reform, a goal that has eluded him and which matters deeply to Hispanic American voters, whose support he needs for reelection in 2012. In remarks delivered to several thousand wildly cheering community college students, Obama was also courting support in the vital election battleground state of Florida, which he won in 2008 and wants to keep in his column next year. ‘I strongly believe we should fix our broken immigration system. Fix it so it meets our 21st century economic and security needs,’ Obama told a Miami Dade College graduation ceremony. The college serves tens of thousands of Hispanic and African-American students.”
Obama Promises Help To Rebuild Tornado-Hit South
Reuters reports: “President Barack Obama promised federal aid on Friday to the tornado-ravaged South, where deadly twisters have killed at least 339 people and caused billions of dollars in damage. Obama toured smashed homes and met survivors on a visit to the worst-hit state, Alabama. It was one of seven southern states mauled by recent tornadoes and storms which have caused insured losses of between $2 billion and $5 billion, according to one catastrophe risk modeler’s estimate.”
Hillary Clinton To Attend Rome Talks On Libya Conflict
AFP reports: “US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Rome next week for fresh talks on how to help the rebels fighting in Libya and protect civilians caught in the cross-fire, US officials said Friday…This will be the second official meeting of the contact group after one in Doha on April 13, which was attended by leaders of the Libyan opposition’s shadow government, the Transitional National Council.”
Barack Obama’s Online Army Quietly Gears Up
Politico reports: “President Obama’s aides have quietly turned the key in the engine of the massive campaign-in-waiting that’s been operating under the name Organizing for America for the past two years, and will begin his reelection with the sort of online and field organizations most presidential campaigns would be glad to have 16 months from now.”
