A Nancy Pelosi confidant hits hard at Hillary Clinton's gas-tax gambit

Why did we take notice when Rep. George Miller, a Democrat from the Bay Area, issued a release today ridiculing the gas-tax holiday plan that Hillary Clinton and her crew not only are promoting but are touting as a boon to them in their battle with Barack Obama?

Because Miller is the longtime friend and ally of the highest-ranking Democrat in the land, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (who is second in the presidential succession line after the vice president).

Pelosi has chosen not to officially make a pick yet between Obama and Clinton. But when Miller came out for Obama back in early January, it was widely assumed he did so with Pelosi's tacit approval.

NBC Deputy Political Director Mark Murray wrote at the time: "This is perhaps the closest thing to getting a Nancy Pelosi endorsement as you can come without actually getting it. Miller is incredibly close with her politically. He wouldn't be doing this without her consent of sorts."

We wonder if Pelosi also was nodding her head over the release from Miller (a onetime chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee) that lambastes the call by Clinton (as well as John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee) for suspending the federal gasoline tax through the summer.

Miller's comments are notable not only for the blunt criticism one Democrat directs at another party member -- in so many words, he calls Clinton a purveyor of snake oil -- but also for the intimidation charge ...

.... he broaches at the end of the release. Here are the quotes Miller sent out in the missive:

“The call by Sens. Clinton and McCain to temporarily suspend the federal tax on gasoline is a short-sighted stunt that will hurt consumers and do nothing to reduce the price of gas.

“American consumers and our economy need a real solution to the energy crisis, not an empty trick. You can run cars on a lot of different fuels, but snake oil isn’t one of them.

“In the hopes of winning votes, the Senators are preying on consumers’ justified anxiety about the economy without offering a solution to their real problems. There’s nothing in our history to indicate that oil companies will pass on any savings to the consumer. So despite the McCain and Clinton gas tax holiday, the price at the pump will continue to rise and oil companies will take even more of the profit.

“My constituents are reeling from the highest gas prices in the country. But they understand that we can only break the oil chokehold and bring prices down by investing in highways and mass transit, new technology, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

“Siphoning off the political energy from these necessary steps to focus instead on a plan that some political consultants favor is cynical politics. Taking a break from the federal gas tax and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it produces is harmful to the long-term economic well-being of our country.

“Sen. Clinton knows it is not easy to pass a windfall profits tax on oil companies. We have been trying to rein in record oil profits for years, and the House has repeatedly passed legislation to roll unjustified federal oil subsidies and invest instead in renewable energy -– but President Bush and Senate Republicans have blocked us. Some of the subsidies we are trying to eliminate started under President Bill Clinton’s administration.

“Sen. Clinton is trying to intimidate members of Congress into validating her bad policy prescriptions. Congress should reject her and Sen. McCain’s idea. Relief from soaring gas prices will only come from smart investments and real change in our energy policy.”

The Clinton campaign, for its part, continued to play what it sees as a winning hand, airing an ad in Indiana and North Carolina on the eve of their Tuesday primaries that laments Obama's opposition to suspending the gas tax.

It begins with an announcer intoning: "What has happened to Barack Obama? ... He is attacking Hillary’s plan to give you a break on gas prices because he doesn’t have one."

The ad, and a closing spot from Obama's campaign, can be checked out here.

Also, remarks from Clinton on the trail today about the issue can be viewed below.

-- Don Frederick

Photo: Associated Press

Comments

[mona]

The elitist's in Northern California who support Barack Obama just don't get it do they? When I got to the pump and there are two gas stations directly across from each other and one says 2.79 and the other says 2.78 I am going fill up at the 2.78 gas pump. Why? Because that penny matters to me if it means I am saving something. So if what Hillary proposes is going to save me a penny in the summer...so be it!!!

President Hillary 08

[ApostasyUSA]

Hillary is a tool........I never thought i would say that.....she will lie strait to your face about this gas tax holiday cra-p. Go....figure.... Eh?

"More Than 200 Economists Denounce Clinton, McCain Gas-Tax Plans"
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aTzCmqCNyLho&refer=home

"Columbia University economist Joseph Stiglitz, former Congressional Budget Office Director Alice Rivlin and 2007 Nobel winner Roger Myerson are among those who signed the letter calling proposals to temporarily lift the tax a bad idea."

Meanwhile........Barack Obama superdelegates keep rolling in.

The chairman and vice-chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party are throwing their support behind Sen. Barack Obama on the eve of Tuesday's primaries in Indiana and North Carolina, giving the Illinois senator at least two additional superdelegates.

Kalyn Free, an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee, today announced that she supports Illinois Senator Barack Obama for the party’s presidential nomination. As a DNC member, Free will serve as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention. Free is also founder and President of INDN’s List, an organization dedicated to recruiting and training American Indian candidates.

Senator Clinton needs over 77% of the remaining votes and super delegates to win.

Game over, the fat lady has sung, it's time to unite behind the winner and fight together against the Republican nominee

[John]

Pelosi has played the most underhand and despicable campaign in the election process. The epitome of purveyors of snake oil are Obama, Pelosi, Kerry, Daschle and all the other elitists from the loony left.

[Pani]

Well, it looks like Miller and Pelosi will not be re-elected in their districts---according to the local gossip around town. People are not happy with them.

[Joe]

Nothing convinces me more strongly that I cannot vote for Hillary than her behavior on this issue. McCain is no better, but at least he's taken a back seat once he realized people knew how stupid an idea it was.

Alas, there are probably enough stupid people out there to make it work. I remember one politician being told "You have the support of every thinking person!" who then replied "That's not enough! I need a majority!"

[JRT]

Anything for votes. What's next? This "tax holiday" is nothing but a political stunt. They fact that Clinton is now labeling all of the world's economists as "elite" is an insult to our intelligence. This is Bush all over again. If people that are experts don't arrive at your pre-determined conclusion, you dismiss and discount their opinions as unimportant. Take a close look at this method of operation. This is exactly what a Clinton presidency would look like. Clinton is "blowing in the wind" looking for anything to get traction. The Clinton that we see today is nothing like the Clinton we saw a few months ago. That Clinton would have never courted the Republican right for votes, would of never had Bill appear on Rush Limbaugh's show, etc. Clinton will do or say anything to get votes. It's time to leave "old style" divisive politics behind and look to the future. The American people deserve better.

[Frank Papasavas]

No where do I see Rep Miller advocating an increse in production of availible oil. We need a multi-tier approach; nuclear, wind, hydro and geo-thermal for homes and industry. Increased oil production and coal conversion to oil/gas for vehicles. We also need alternate vehicle fuels, ethanol/hydrogen, but not from food competing sources such as corn. There are a number of other plants and bio mass sources which is more effecient and will not compete with food resources. High speed mass transportation cross country. Quite franky I think we have idiots running the country in both parties. The current triad of presidential canidates is pathetic. I dought that their combined knowledge, could compete with a 5th grade science student.

[baxter9999]

Nancy Pelosi and her cronies just do not understand the American people, but when you are worth all the money she is does she really care about the prices you pay at the pump. Maybe her & her cronies can focus on what she was elected to do.
How dare Nancy criticize any one after the HORRIBLE job she has done as speaker. She and her big mouth are two of the reasons that I am going to vote for McCain after being a registered Democrat for years!

[roger]

if two stations were 1 cent apart, I'd use the one on this side of the street. At most, I'd save maybe 10 cents. I'd use more than that in gas going to other side and waiting for traffic to clear to come back to this side.
some people just don't get it.

[Larry]

Pelosi has played the most underhand and despicable campaign in the election process. The epitome of purveyors of snake oil are Obama, Pelosi, Kerry, Daschle and all the other elitists from the loony left.

Posted by: John | May 05, 2008 at 03:27 PM

As apposed to Hillary's campaign. Are you senile? Or, are you just another bitter republican whose all upset your little operation chaos isn't coming to fruitation! That's just got to burn your and these other fake
Hillary democrat's asses!

[Ryan Healey]

Oh please! I normally support the Democrats, but I am so tired of Nancy Pelosi being nothing but jealous of Hillary Clinton and making swipes at her through fake smiles. First Pelosi thinks deligate counts should decide the winner because Obama is a head in that count. Then, she feels a "dream ticket" is a bad idea because that could make Hillary VP if she doesn't get the Presidental post. NANCY, GIVE IT UP. We know you are upset because Hillary Clinton is overshawdowing you and you, as Speaker of the House, want the spotlight and want to be seen as the higher profile female in the government. WELL, YOU ARN'T. Hillary has taken your spotlight, move on! Enough of acting like a 2-year old!

[bcinkc]

Well, I'm pretty sure they could spell doubt though. As in I doubt you could win a 5th grade spelling contest.

[bcinkc]

Well, I'm pretty sure they could spell doubt though. As in I doubt you could win a 5th grade spelling contest.

[bts]

If you believe that hiliary and granddaddy mccain are telling the truth then you are an idiot. point blank period.

[Sally]

Mona, dear, *you* don't get it. 1) That penny you save will cost thousands of dollars in construction and infrastructure jobs. Those people need those jobs. 2) The oil companies aren't stupid and they aren't trying to save you money. They're gonna jack up the price to make up for that penny.

[John Biggs]

To Mona:

What you don't get is that gas prices will still continue to rise despite this tax break and the savings will go to the oil companies, not to you.

Any difference you see at your gas station is based on the final price set by that gas station regardless of this tax break.

But if a penny means that much to you, go ahead and vote for Hillary. Your short-sighted views are typical of Clinton supporters.

[Rodney Lamprey]

Clinton, McCain, and Bush know how to deal with economic problems: Charge it to the credit card and leave it to your children to pay the bill. So what if a few bridges collapse due to lack of repair while we stop gas tax, and improve the profits for oil companies? It is elitists like Obama that listen to economists and want us to pay our own bill. That is unfair. Why can't we just print more money, run up the debt, and subsidize gasoline to keep prices at 1950's levels? We can sell nuclear weapons to Iran in exchange for oil.

[Joe Dirt]

Well, at least Hillary isn't an elitist... she gives speeches from the back of a pickup truck - she must be just like you and me. That $30 I'll save on gas is enough to buy a whole weeks supply of delicious manwich! What is mister elitist Obama gonna give me? Just a bunch of fancy talk about long term solutions! You can't eat that for dinner while watching American Idol! I bet he gives his speeches standing on a stage behind a podium! Who does he think he is, shake-spear?

[Dave]

There is only one solution to the gas price issue and that is more refining capacity and more oil development like ANWR. Until the liberals get out of fantasy land I hope all Nancy's voters enjoy what they deserve.

You reap what you sow, libs.

[Jeff Songster]

As a constituent of Rep. George Miller, I heartily endorse his views and agree completely. I have never had a Representative, in all the San Francisco Bay Area Counties I've lived in (6), that has represented the views of his district as well as George Miller does. You all can thank him too as our district includes several fuel refineries (Shell, Chevron and Tesoro) trying to keep up with demand right now.

I only wish that King George Bush hadn't screwed things up so badly so we wouldn't all be in the recession we are in now.

We all need to work together to get a Democratic Majority in the House and Senate to Support our speakers and fix this damn Republican Recession before it overshadows our "Great Hoover's ghost depression".

Jeff S. From Martinez, CA

[jindi]

funny how people who can't understand the reality of this issue settle for throwing "elitist" stones instead of trying to educate themselves on the truth.

you will save $0.00 per litre, $0.00 per fill-up. Gas companies have historically increased their prices to make up the difference in any "decreases" in the price of fuel.

that means consumers save NOTHING and oil and gas makes MORE.

if understanding an issue makes me an elitist - am i EVER PROUD TO BE CANADIAN.

OBAMA = FUTURE

CLINTON = PAST

[Gene]

Most of those opposed to relief gaz tax have invested directly or indirectly in oil. There is a conflict of interest in their opinion.
Thanks,
Gene

[DP]

Remind me again, does elite mean "smart" or "rich"?

Both the Clintons and the McCains have more money than the Obamas, so I guess they're accusing Barack of being smart. Pretty scary idea, having a smart person in the White House. What would happen to this country?

[Christopher London]

I learned a great deal by working on the Clinton/Gore Campaign in 1992, going door to door in New Hampshire and making phone calls on behalf of the campaign. But my real education came in the years following 1992 when I observed how good people were thrown under a bus, continual moral lapses, self inflicted scandals were rationalized, the Democrats lost seats all over America and the White House was sold to raise funds. That is the real Clinton Legacy: http://prorev.com/wwindex.htm The Clintons became very proficient at getting powerful people to part with their money. Clinton is in fact quoted in a Moyer's PBS special where he tells fat cats that their money buys influence.

"Washington's Other Scandal" with Bill Moyers
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/scandal/etc/script.html

excerpted transcript:
BILL MOYERS: In 1996, a "For Sale" sign was hung on the White House.
Pres. BILL CLINTON: [to contributors] And I think it's okay if your investment gets you influence, but your investment shouldn't get you control.

Since that time the LIES, DECEIT, VOTER FRAUD & MANIPULATION have grown increasingly similar to the NEOCONS who stole the election in 2000. Hillary is running a campaign out of the Karl Rove/Lee Atwater/Jessie Helms playbook: scare the hell out of white working class voters and paint a member of her own party who is from a more modest and humble background as an Elitist. Clinton's wealth in the years immediately preceding her presidential run, wealth derived largely from foreign sources, has sky rocketed.

Memling Index, Bill & Hillary Clinton's Recent Meteoric Rise in Wealth: http://www.thememlingindex.com/hillary_clinton_net_worth-wealth.html

So this begs the question, who owns the Clintons? Make no mistake, once you stop drinking the kool-aid it is rather easy to see that if ever there were "ELITISTS" in the Democratic Party, they are the Clintons. The politics of "TRIANGULATION" which they mastered is the art of appealing to and manipulating to the uninformed, the intellectually undernourished, the lower middle class and whatever ethnic minorities that they need as part of winning coalition while winking to the powerful that they have the little people under control. Hillary Clinton's Campaign has made aggressive, racist appeals to frighten those on the left side of the bell curve, the working class etc. This is at the heart of CLINTON FRAUD...they think all the little people are DUMBSH_TS that can be easily duped. The Clintons are financed heavily by foreign elements who paid for the Clinton Presidential Library, donated to the Clinton Global Initiative, pumped funds into Hillary''s Senate run and this presidential race where they are trying to buy the next Clinton Administration. The essential fraud of the Clintons is that they are the furthest thing from middle class warriors. The CLINTONS ARE WORKING CLASS PREDATORS. The people most easily fooled by their rhetoric are too consumed with their own economic survival to verify the accuracy of what they are told. BOTOX, BLUE CONTACT LENSES, BLONDE HAIR DYE are part of Hillary''s carefully crafted All American persona to manipulate voters into thinking that she is "one of you"---the last white lady standing.

[AZT]

This is dumb, why trade a penny at the pump for less roadworks, leading to dangerous highways for your kids? What is the use of owing an expensive car with cheaper fuels when there is no road to drive on?