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?

[Andrew]

Pani, you're funny. There is no such dissatisfaction with Pelosi or Miller in their districts. Really, you're funny when you make up this stuff.

[NinaK]

Guess anyone who does not agree with Hilliary is an "elitist" in her way of thinking. Aren't Bill and Hilliary part of the elitist group...Bill travelling the all over the globe with his multimillion and billion dollar associates?? When was the last they either he or Hilliary sat down to dinner with a blue-collar family (aside from this campaign)? Niether of them has anything to do with blue collar workers or the poor EXCEPT WHEN THEY WANT THEIR VOTES!! Back to the economists. Hilliary cannot run her campaign budget, she was broke by the time she got to New Hampshire; she owes approximately $8 Million to middle-class vendors and business people (dating back to Iowa), she owes Mark Penn at least $4 Million, and his company over $10 Million, and owes herself and BIll $5 Million!!! And she is saying she KNOWS more than the professional, expert economists??? Hilliary, just zip it up, you cannot run your campaign, what the heck do you even know about economy and what is best for the nation??? Hilliary, you are a pathetic, insecure, and horrific individual who cannot get anywhere without tearing others down. SHAME ON YOU HILLIARY CLINTON!!

[Joe]

When price goes down, demand goes up. When demand goes up price goes up. If gas prices drop by the amount of the federal gas tax, then demand will go up. Then prices will go up, and before the Labor Day weekend, we'll be paying more for gasoline than we are today. Cutting the gas tax is a gimmick. And saying that we'll recover the tax revenue by "taxing the oil companies," is pure nonsense. The oil companies will just pass the tax increase along to their customers. Uh, that's US.

[DoTheMath]

Mona, please try very hard to pay attention:

"There’s nothing in our history to indicate that oil companies will pass on any savings to the consumer."

It's not pennies. It's nothing. Zero. Zip.

[Paul Kopper]

I lost all faith in this woman months ago as a sham, a fraud, and a cheater. How anyone can trust anything that comes from the mouth of this woman is absolutely beyond belief... And now this gas-tax gimmick? Unreal! She must get back to her hotel room at night and just laugh her caboose off at how stupid people are! Hey..., but anyone that cozies up to the Murdocks and Mellenscapes of the World are capable of just about anything. Beware Barack. Beware...Just like Bonnie and Clyde; no rules... God save us from this poison.

[Michael Reed]

Pelosi is one of the biggest disappointments to emerge on the democratic horizon of late! It’s sad to say that the strongest action Pelosi has taken is to undermine and criticize Clinton every chance she gets. I was undecided till she spoke out! Sorry Obama if Pelosi is for you I must go with Hillary

[Linda]

Evidently none of you are independent truckers. Too bad. Maybe then you would understand what this means to many on the road. Might be symbolic...but it is a start. And a windfall profit tax sounds like a good start to me. Go Hillary.

The composers of this letter failed to factor in WE that appreciate Senator Clinton's effort CAN"T afford a vacation or to travel EXTRA miles. Maybe we can save a little more to give the next Stearns buy out, or how about the airline subsidies.

Maybe we should start flying all our truck freight.

But then they are among the Obama Elite. Maybe you best be thinking about how you are going to get your milk for your Latte.

Take you letter and stuff it!

[toby]

Pelosi doesn't want the Democrats to win the White House. Because if they did, chances are she would lose her Speaker job.

I mean, tell me another time where the Speaker of the House has injected themselves so much into a Presidential primary?

She's so self serving, it's disgusting.

[DEnny]

Pelosi and miller two hard core commie left wing anti American fruitcakes. It has often been said that what will destroy this country will start in the bay area...now it begins

[JAE]

What is it about allowing people to keep more of the money they earned that liberals hate so much? Here in California we pay on the order of 50 cents a gallon in taxes. The oil companies make about 10 cents a gallon. So when people rail against the oil companies' profits they forget that they are being extorted FIVE TIMES that amount by the government! And the oil companies search for new finds, drill, transport the crude, refine it, transport it again, and facilitate its retail sale. The government does ............ what exactly for five times the profit?

[geo magn]

This one issue shows which candidate really will sincerely help the consumer and which ones want to mislead. If Obama would try to stop the alaskan oil givaway and make oil companies pay for our crude oil by the gallon instead of these joke free oil leases bush wants to bestow on exon and company, we could force them to give our citizens cheap oil and gas.

[FRED CAHILL]

GAS SHOULD NOT BE THIS HI . GAVE US A BRAKE.WE
THE LITTLE PEOPLE DONT HAVE A CHANGE OIL MEN FROM THE PRESIDENT ON DOWN. ARE POCKETING AND LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK .
WE ARE SALEING OURS OVER SEAS. I THINK. WE SHOULD TURN SOME OF OIL IN OUR MARKET.
THE WAY OUR COUNTRY IS GOING WE WILL BE A THIRD NATION IN 10 YEARS

[JustConsider]

To those who say even saving you 1 PENNY makes this gas-tax holiday worth it--think again: This gimmick may even RAISE GAS PRICES, not lower them, because of an increase in demand for gas.

Plus--it will take away about $9 billion dollars from the Highway Trust Fund, which means A LOSS OF 310,000 JOBS, including 6300 in IN and 7000 in NC. Not to mention that public safety is compromised when you don't maintain our highways and bridges--which is what the Highway Trust Fund pays for.

And Clinton saying she'll get the oil companies to pay for that $9 billion is BUNK! There is no mechanism in place to make her do that. There is no legislation even on the table to do that. She knows it, too.

But you know what's really disgusting about all this? CLINTON KNOWS THIS IS A BAD IDEA, but she also knows it would never pass Congress anyway. So, she figures she'll dupe many voters into believing she's actually for it. Who cares if she lies--no harm done, she figures.

Talk about morally bankrupt leadership! Talk about ELITIST: she's banking on the voters not being able to see through her lies because they're not smart enough.

Here's her stance: I'm smarter than they are and they're too dumb to figure out my gambit. If that isn't the definition of elitist, I don't know what is.

[geo magn]

This one issue shows which candidate really will sincerely help the consumer and which ones want to mislead. If Obama would try to stop the alaskan oil givaway and make oil companies pay for our crude oil by the gallon instead of these joke free oil leases bush wants to bestow on exon and company, we could force them to give our citizens cheap oil and gas.

[geo magn]

This one issue shows which candidate really will sincerely help the consumer and which ones want to mislead. If Obama would try to stop the alaskan oil givaway and make oil companies pay for our crude oil by the gallon instead of these joke free oil leases bush wants to bestow on exon and company, we could force them to give our citizens cheap oil and gas.

[Lucky]

I see a lot of comments that are just statements of opinion and attacks from Clinton supporters. To the people making those types of comments: why don't you take a minute to sit and think about what is actually happening here before getting worked up over something into which you obviously haven't put much thought? Maybe there's a reason economists nation-wide are screaming "no!" to the gas-tax holiday.

Here's what a gas-tax holiday would NOT do:

1) It WOULD NOT help the current economic crisis. It's an 18.4/gallon tax so let's do the math with a couple of average assumptions. Let's say you have a 20 gallon tank and you fill it up every week over the summer. This proposal saves you $44.16 over the course of the summer. This is the equivalent of giving up lattes for a couple of weeks .
2) It WOULD NOT lower oil company profits. Simple economics I think we can all agree on: removing the tax would cause more people to buy gas than without removing the tax. This means more money into the pockets of oil companies?
3) It WOULD NOT be beneficial in the long term. The holiday is a removal of the govt. tax on top of oil prices and removing this means less money for govt. funded programs. [This is an extreme example, but...] Do you like your kids to read? Schools are funded by taxes from state and local govt. Less tax revenue could mean cuts to programs that help the young/needy/etc.

That being said, vote for who you're going to vote for, but don't take the other guy down with you (without at least backing up your claim :D).

[Pablo]

I want my gallon of snake oil! If you take away the 18 cents a gallon federal gas tax for 3 months will the price of gas go down 18 cents? NO - It definitely will not. It might go down 8 cents a gallon for a month - but I'm sure the oild companies will raise it right back up again, and secretly thank Hillary for that extra profit margin. Heck, they might even give her some extra campaign contributions. Hmmm, I'd be more impressed if she got rid parking tickets....

[Joe]

Those stupid enough to take the gas tax holiday seriously are like mice stupid enough to take the moldy cheese in the mousetrap as a lifesaver.

[rob]

Representative Miller and perhaps Nancy Pelosi have no clue the pain most of us feel at the gas pump. They live an entirely different life than the typical American. I'd love to have their health insurance and retirement benefits, as well as their annual cost of living raises.

Keep on fighting Hillary.

These elitist's are trying to steal this election from the American people by pressing super delegates to commit prior to all voter's voices being heard. They should be ashamed of themselves and in my humble opinion will pay a very high price in November. Obama is hemorrhaging and there isn't a band-aid large enough to stop the bleeding.

If Obama wins the nomination I believe that McCain will win in November. I for one will vote for him before I cast a vote for Obama.

[Phil]

George Miller is a shill for Progressive Left Democrats, and the Mainstream media - all who have been desperately trying to regain the power they lost when Bill Clinton showed them that a political centrist could balance the budget.

I'm a moderate liberal Democrat, and I'm sick and tired of the posturing by the Progressive Left of my party. It's the Progressives who consistently promise "hopes and dreams" and then end up accomplishing *exactly NOTHING*!!

How is it that Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Miller, and their respective crews have not been able to get us out of iraq, as they PROMISED?! How about the recent appropriation they all passed, without a PEEP??!!

George Miller and a lot of other flaming progressives - including pelosi - are going to be surprised in the near long term (3-5 years) as they're tossed out of office by a moderate liberal and independent constituency that's tired of their doublespeak.

That they would savage the fine reputation of a long time moderate liberal like Hillary Clinton is despicable. the Pelosi/Miller/Eshoo/Boxer crowd have lost my vote forever. And, btw, MANY of my friends and associates.

Bill CLinton took away GOP talking points - he balanced the budget. The GOP HATED him for that. As well, he took away the progressive left's talking points, because along with encouraging economic growth, most of his policies pointed in a left-center, moderate liberal direction.

Bill wasn't perfect;; neither is Hillary. I don't expect perfection in a President; not do expect to see a knight in shining armor saving America from evil.

The mainstream media, infused with Ivy League Journalism school writers, filled with white guilt, have done Obama;s negative campaigning FOR HIM.

I've seen more sexism and reverse racism in the primary than ever before - most of it promulgated by Progressive left types who have finally found a way to make me sick of their sorry rear ends.

Obama of OVER. I will not pull a lever in a voting booth for someone who has let slide the most egregious sexist and reverse racist attacks on his opponent, one of the finest liberal politicians in our generation.

Last: George Miller isn't fit to tie Hillary's shoes; that he's a close associate of Nancy Pelosi is just one more reason that has come along for me to never vote for her again.

GO HILLARY!!

[Angela]

I don't care what this guy says. I probably pay for his gas as a taxpayer. Gas is almost 4 dollars a gallon in his district. Will 18 cents make a huge dent? Probably not, but it will make me feel better.

I could care less if an economist doesn't think I should be allowed to keep my own money. Let me keep the paltry 3 dollars I would save at each fill up. I will use that money better than the government has.

[Loyd in Cerritos]

Well in so many words they did say the idiots vote for Clinton and the smart people vote for Obama. Are we really a nation of idiots? Listening to the Clinton supporters it's not a hard leap.

[Engy]

Hillary seems to be gaining popularity with this, right? It's amazing that she's using people who are in a bad economic situation, gaining their praise for ultimately hurting them in the long run.

I guess whoever claims that they'll make gas free will win. Of course, that's an exaggeration- I hope. I hope almost everyone could see through that. But why can't they see through this? Is it just too comforting in the short run?

[FJ Stratford]

The LATTE LIBERALS strike again!

Proving once and for all that just like the Rich Republicans, they do not understand the issues that resonate with the working middle class.

And just like their Rich Republicans, they do not care!

[Ronnn]

The issue is can you trust the candidate to do what's best for the country or what's best for the candidate. Hillary's policy will fail but if some people due to their ignorance will think that lowering the tax will come into their pocket which it won't Obama thinks policy should be made to improve the country not to get votes so he is against it.

The worst thing about Hillary is she will not back down just like Bush.

Clinton is mendacity we can count on. Obama is transparency we can count on. That is what this election is about.

[Robert Bcek]

Funny how some will go across the street to save a penny a gallon, but will drive cars that cost four dollars for every 12 or 14 miles they drive, and are glad to support politicians that will give the oil companies yet another windfall with this ridiculous Summer gas tax scheme. How about investing a Summers-worth of gas tax revenues to help get us off oil? Now that's worth more than a penny or two a gallon!

[JB]

Anyone who is swayed in their support over a 'proposed' gas tax suspension is a little skewed in their thinking. Number one, it is only a proposal and not something that Hillary or John McCain can accomplish--neither as candidates or as president. Only the congress can make that happen, so CLEARLY this proposal is, in fact, a stunt. While it might be a start or a relief in the future, it is not something that's going to happen THIS summer when it will matter most to consumers. Therefore, it is not a voting issue. Obama is right, it is a stunt and won't address real issues just like my tax rebate won't solve anything in the long term. 600 dollars? Nice pocket change but not a solution. 18 cent temperary gas tax relief?

[kmb08]

Were you all aware that Obama voted for the same kind of tax relief when he was a state senator? He thought it a good idea then.

In addition...Hillary intends on investigating the market speculators who are obviously driving the price of oil up artificially. She has many solutions that are long term oriented.

Obama is offering a $1000 tax credit immediately. He can't get this accomplished, so he is just as guilty of pandering.

Hillary has been humbled by this struggle I believe. I've always known she would work circles around Obama, and she has. She'll also be a peoples' advocate if she is President. I do believe she actually wants to be held accountable, and I believe she'll work her heart out to try and help middle class americans. Believe what you want, but she is a much more likeable, humorous, resilient, compassionate, passionate, intelligent, honest, capable person than many of you want to acknowledge.

hrc'08

[2Party]

This is the silliness you get from a two party system...no offers any real solutions, they don’t have to cause you will vote for YOUR party (sheep.) OIL comes from the earth, it belongs to all of us, so lets make some SMART economic policies to protect our right (yes right) to have what is flowing under all of our feet in our earth at a fair price. I agree that the tax break will disappear when oil companies raise prices above the tax cut to make more profit (that is a 100% certainty unless the FED freezes gas prices - yeah right!). That being said, the is government wasting billions in taxes on bad policies, pork, and a “100 year war,” so I will GLADLY take my 18 cents a gallon from them -FED doesn’t deserve it any more than EXXON, they are both robbing us blind anyway. At least you know EXXON will use some of it to find more oil!

[Kees]

Sorry Mona, but you don't get it.

When you look at the fine print next to the 'reduced' price at the pump, its says "we'll be mailing you the difference as soon as we pass a bill in Congress and the Oil Companies send us the money. Until then, you're a chump.

Clearly, this gas holiday is gimmick. Gas stations will simply raise the price now that they have some room to do it.

I don't get this elitist stuff. Some people are smart; some are dumb. Some are elitist; some aren't. But being smart doesn't make a person an elitist. Nor are dumb people immune.

If Senator Clinton isn't going to listen to the experts, who is she going to ask for advice?

I can't imagine that any Democrat would have put up with this nonsense if just McCain endorsed this folly. We'd have all been united at how stupid this ploy is.

[Charlie Peters]

Should Speaker Karen Bass consider a "fee" on corn fuel ethanol use?

* Lower price for food, gas, water, beer, cleaner air… and… funds for the budget from oil profit

* What was the cause of death of Alexander Farrell, 46, expert on alternative fuels?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/18/BAOK1087DP.DTL

* Was Dr. Russell Long/REAP/Pavley 2002 CA tailpipe bill for Bill Jones’ corn fuel ethanol Pacific Ethanol business?

* Clean Air Performance Professionals (CAPP) supports a Smog Check inspection & repair audit, gasoline ethanol fuel cap and elimination of dual fuel CAFÉ credit to cut car impact over 50% in 1 year.

* Some folks believe ethanol in gasoline increases oil use and oil profit

* Ethanol uses lots of water

* A Smog Check audit would cut toxic car impact in ½ in 1 year. Chief Sherry Mehl, CA/DCA/BAR, has never found out if what is broken on a Smog Check failed car gets fixed.

* An ethanol waiver would stop a $1 billion California oil refinery welfare program coming from the federal government @ $0.51 per gallon of ethanol used

* About 60,000 barrels per day of the oil used by cars is allowed by the "renewable fuel" CAFE credit

[Matt in Montana]

Mona, get your facts straight, there is a reason that NO reputable economist supports the gas tax holiday. That despite the fact that you may get 18 cents a gallon back intiially with increased utilization due to slightly lower prices this will drive the gas up MORE. And as the column correctly stated passing these windfall profits against oil companies will not happen. Then the money that is supposed to go to highway reconstruction will be drained. If you want to be duped by a politician who will do and say anything to get elected, that is your business, but don't call Obama supporters elitist because we can see through the Clinton same old same old smoke and mirrors. There is a difference between Obama who will tell us what we need to hear and Clinton who tells us what we want to hear.

[jsp9999]

Above Clinton supporter,
Stupid people who symbolizes why Clinton is pitching this. Of course, the consumers will choose the cheaper ones and there is no question about that. The question is on what expense. There is never going to be money there to pay for you contrary to what Clinton is proposing. What is she going to do? Most likely borrow from reserves in the trust fund which is vital for the roads, highways, etc. And you don't even feel the difference because you don't even though why some gas stations are more expensive than the others. This is exactly why I was so insulted by this McBushClinton scam. I was so insulted that our politicians use the naive Americans to pitch this even though they already know it's a scam. Ah... It's sad to see her deteriorate this way.

[kmb08]

What's really amazing is Obama's supporters actually think he's going to "change" Washington DC. Now, that takes some naivety!! Also, they actually buy his snake oil that he isn't in the pockets of special interests and lobbying groups. That's snake oil at its' finest...

.............................................................................................
There isn't enough difference in the college educated voters voting for Obama vs. Clinton to brag about it. I'm college educated, but I have the intelligence to know that my degree from a University doesn't compare to the wisdom acquired from life's lessons after I received my degree. Perhaps Obama's supporters equate college educated with superior intelligence!! Many senior citizens are Hillary's base, and many of them weren't spoiled brats who had the same chances to attend a college. Consider yourselves lucky, but not necessarily intelligent.

[Thron]

The level of stupidity That I see in some comments is stunning. How can someone think that saving a penny will make a difference, specially when that penny will be taken back by simply rising the gaz price this summer. China will stew us while some people will be commenting on how we can obliterate them.
Question, what will it takes to have America stand up again with true and rational solution.
Answer, prevent those who do not know, to play with, comment on, and decide with our future.

[Ron Catapano]

Members of the democratic party keep complaining that Clinton is hurting the party by continuing the primary race, but as a registered democrat what is really making me re-evaluate the democratic party is the divisiveness and infighting within the party.

The comments and actions of Ms. Pelosi (and a few others) makes me root for even harder for Clinton to win, if for no other reason, than so she can get payback! This is something the average peson can identify with.

[kent]

OK, so what all you folks are telling me is that what resonates with the "average American" is a plan that everyone says will save you nothing.

Here's a question: what happens when the oil companies raise the prices by $.28 and then the tax comes back in September - do you think they are just going to drop the prices back? Nope - it's a guaranteed $.18 hike at the end of the summer.

No wonder you folks don't like Pelosi. A 4 year old HATES their mom just before nap time as well - then they wake up and get some milk and cookies.

[kmb08]

I can't believe we are even discussing this gas tax proposal as a deciding factor in whom we choose to vote for. There is a much larger picture to consider.

Hillary has been a human rights advocate long before she even met BC. She is a tireless worker, and she has demonstrated an ability to work across party lines, many in congress have corroborated this. Obama only talks about unity...he rarely made an effort to work across party lines.

Obama appears weak, which explains why he earned the reputation as "gutless" and "absent" in the Il. Senate. Sen. Ted Stevens said Obama "folded like a cheap suit" when time to make a tough stand. I've never seen a weak far left liberal win the Presidency.

My sister, a staunch Republican who supports McCain, hopes Obama is the nominee because she thinks he'll be easier to defeat. She says the Republicans won't have to play softball with him as Hillary has been forced to do. Everything will come out in the general.

hrc'08

[Terry]

Everyone see Hillary riding to work in that oversized 8 cylinder Ford truck going to the gas station to fill up? What kind of a freggin' idiot do you have to be complaining about gas with a gas guzzling, inefficient vehicle built by car companies that haven't listened to the American car buyer in their existence. Its no wonder Toyota is eating our lunch. Not to Hillary.... get a fuel efficient car and you wont have to have cheaper gas!!! Duhh!

[James]

1. Hillary Clinton is much more of an 'elitist' than Barack Obama. She was raised in a very wealthy, privileged family. Her yearly income has always been much higher than Obama's.

2. The gas tax issue is *hypothetical.* Everyone is talking about this as if presidential candidates actually have the power to pass the legislation. They don't.

3. Hillary Clinton is feeding everyone a lot of BS. She is pretending to be 'working class' when in fact she is far more 'elitist' than Obama, who comes from a poor background. She is talking about this hypothetical gas tax as if she had the power to pass it, when of course she doesn't, and moreover knows that in the long-run it will be bad for the economy and especially bad for the working class... She has gotten to the point where she will say and do anything, pretend to be anyone to get people's votes, regardless of the consequences. Her behavior is spineless and disgraceful-- very similar to the tactics that Bush used to win the last election.

[james]

Am I crazy-- because it seems like there are actually people being paid by the Clinton campaign to write comments on this page (!)

Does anyone else get this feeling?

[kmb08]

Elitism....This means an air of superiority....not a financial position. One can be financially wealthy, and still know how to listen to average people. Hillary and Bill were two of the financially poorest people to enter the WH. They were only making a few hundred thousand when they left the WH. The Obama's made over $4 million last year. The difference...The Clinton's paid more in taxes and donated more to charity than most in their tax brackets. Contrast this with the Obama's who only donated 3% in charity.

Hillary has an uncanny ability to listen to people. She doesn't go around talking about the high price of arugula as Obama does. Remember in NH when a woman telling Obama her sad financial situation began to cry...Obama showed no change in expression, but went on to tell how he acquired his large home in Illinois. This, my friends, plus his mouthing off to SF liberal fundraisers, is how he got the "elitist" moniker. Hillary had nothing to do with his actions....he has himself to blame.

Yep, believe what you want...Hillary and Bill actually do get average people better than Obama. Just watch Hillary when she's working the people lines...she seems more genuine, more likeable....Obama relied on the big stage to show off his stump speech....he tried to shy away from the small(gotta meet the little people) type of events until recently.....now, he has no choice but to try.

hrc'08

[Strkout]

This is the most moronic idea ever conceived. Suspend the gas tax and pay for it by issuing a "windfall profit" tax on the oil companies? What do you think the oil companies are going to do? Do you think they're just going to suck that up or will they just raise prices to cover the tax?

Hey Hillary, why don't you propose suspending sales tax over the holiday shopping season and impose a "windfall profit" tax on retailers? What an idiot. I can't believe this person actually is trying to run our country.

[Eric]

Linda's comment:
"Evidently none of you are independent truckers. Too bad. Maybe then you would understand what this means to many on the road. Might be symbolic...but it is a start. And a windfall profit tax sounds like a good start to me. Go Hillary...Maybe you best be thinking about how you are going to get your milk for your Latte.
Posted by: Linda "

Dear Linda,

If you are a trucker or know one well, you surely are aware of how over-run our transportation system is currently (bridges and over-passes, for example) and that even the current funding is inadequate to maintain it.

Beyond the "symbolic" meaning and the immediate small saving to individuals (that is, if the oil companies don't simply "fill the gap"), could you enlighten me how our country will benefit if we abruptly cut the gas tax that is in part needed to maintain our infrastructure, such as bridges and trucking lanes? Hillary's banking on passing a windfall profit tax (on oil companies) to cover the revenue that would be lost by her gas tax cut. If that doesn't pass or is undoubtedly delayed, what would cover the cost of her gas tax cut?

What kind of security is that for our national infrastructure - specifically the roads we drive on? Cheaper gas for a few months while banking on a hypothetical windfall profit tax? I'd rather skip on a latte - or a soda for that matter.

You don't have to be elite to think about the national economy and infrastructure.

-Eric

[mona]

I think all Obama supporters should all run for president since they obviously think they are smarter and wiser than I. Don't forget the first thing they taught you in kindergarten, PENNIES MAKE DOLLARS Hillary believes in saving those pennies. All the Obama supporters who have kindly and so richly enlightened me about taxes and the negative affects of Hillary's gas tax holiday, quoting economists and their statistics, there is something your vast wealth of knowledge can't teach you, COMMON SENSE!!!!! With $30 I can feed one child for the whole week:

tray of eggs $2.50
wheat bread $2.75
milk $3.75
cheese $2.95
turkey meat $3.25
lettuce $1.65
tomatoes $2.25
cereal $4.25
oatmeal $2.65
soup (4) $4.00

TOTAL $30.00

Therefore, I appreciate the educated advice provided by the Obama supporters but your reality is not my reality and therein lies our disconnect. I count pennies, you count thousands and millions and your concern is for the whole, my concern is immediate.

President Hillary 08

[James]

"your concern is for the whole, my concern is immediate"

--Therein lies the fundamental problem. If we elect a President who continues to be concerned consistently about the immediate over the whole, America will continue its downward spiral

[ceesay]

hillary clinton will say anthing to get elected first ofall which summer she is talking about. she will never take a break from her campaing to go introduce this bill. if she is serious she should have a bill ready by now to be introduce instead of shouting all over. hillary go introduce a bill now now instead of blah blah blah.

[jacksmith]

President Clinton thinks it's a good I idea. And unlike everyone else, he actually managed the greatest economic expansion and prosperity in the history of America. So I'm with Hillary Clinton on this gas tax holiday. :-)

Jacksmith... Working Class :-)

[connect the dots]

Go to Senator Dorgan's website (North Dakota) and see his proposal. He says that speculation on oil futures is what's raising the price on oil, or at least, a big part of it. His idea is to require more of a margin be put down to speculate, as is done with stocks. In other words, you would have to put much more of your own money on the line in order to speculate. It would be like having to put a large down payment down to get a loan. If you had to put $100 down to bet on a horse race where you could win only $200, you would be less likely to bet so much as if you only had to put down $1.
The gas tax holiday idea is bogus, although it will probably get lots of votes.

[irienet]

Cutting the gas tax will eliminate jobs. Most state and federal gas tax dollars are required to be spent on road and highway projects. Eliminating gas tax revenues would eliminate many road projects which eliminates thousands of jobs. It's a stupid idea in a slow economy. And a pandering one at that.

[Dmitriy]

I guess if you can blow your dough on face lifts of course 18/gal is not that much.

[Kitade]

Good Morning Ind. and N.C. voters, please vote the Clintons for a third term. They deserve it, it is their birth right. The Clintons and the Bushes will rule us forever. That is our destiny, we do not deserve any better.
Hillary, the Bosnia warrior, the Northern Ireland Peace Motivator, the spouse of the businessman that collected $850,000 from the Colombian government to promote a trade agreement she now rejects and renounces, the spouse of the master grantor of Presidential pardons to felons, aka. Marc Rich Cash for Pardon Scandal, Hillary - our best hope for the future.
After Hillary, we want Jeb Bush. After Jeb Bush, Roger Clinton. After Roger, Jeb bush jr for president. After Jeb jr, the lady we have all been waiting for - CHELSEA CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT
Go Hillary 08….
Concerned Citizens - On behalf of Members of the Clintons and Bushes Forever Network

[s haffa]

She really is something.

Claims an idea that she knows very well will never get approved by the President for this summer, then come next year if she is some how in office, she will have moved on to the next pander....... makes me sick!

[s haffa]

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

No .......... you are mistaken. Obama also said he will take that tax from oil companies, but instead of squandering it & driving up demand for oil that will then drive up what you pay at the pump, he will invest ALL of it in new technologies for renewable energy.

[joceeco]

Clinton will probably have forgotten about her plan to give a "gas tax holiday "by the next round of primaries. She's going to pander to the next group of voters, just as she has done in Indiana and N.C . with some other regional tactic. The Clinton's remind me of that snake in the "Garden of Eden." They are evil and will say and do whatever it takes to swindle voters.

[joceeco]

The only Bill that Hillary needs to working on is her "low-down, cheating Husband. Within a year of Hillary taking office, there will be a scandal involving Bill clinton and some poor young lady. The Republican's will dig up more dirt on these folks and we will spend the next four to eight years watching Billary defend themselves rather than solving America's problems.

[John Johnson]

Could they all stop with the cheak tricks.I like McCain and Hillary......but geeze!!! I'm sure the Obama people have things up their sleeves too. It's nice to get a $30 gift but this is about winning the election. We're all hurting and trying to pay our bills and we are being fooled. How about $1000 tax credit instead? Then I could save the $30 by finding ways to cut back on gas AND have an extra $1000 to help with food, repairs, utilities, school expenses for my kids, clothes, etc. I'll vote for whoever comes up with the highest amount......a bidding war!

---John

[politicjunkie]

who thinks gas prices will not rise. It will with or with out the rebate.
use your elitst logic; higher prices- less driving- reduction in road projects - less revenue needed.
exxon is tanking my portfolio
Time for the Fed and Market to look to alternative transportation methods, a shock to the revenues is ineveitable.
What do I know I'm a country bumpkin.

[US Citizen]

Gullible people to the front of the line. Hillary is looking for you...

[Greg]

Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi can get out of politics for all I am concerned. I don't trust either of them, and frankly it concerns me that this ego battle continues.

Barack Obama on the other hand is starting to really gain some momentum again off of this. This new metric, http://www.spartaninternet.com , shows that he is 15 points ahead of Clinton!

[Fed Up]

The embarrassing ignorance demonstrated by the "average jacksmith american" Clinton supporter has caused me to realize, I hate poor people and feel they should get what's coming to them. I'm signing up with the republicans.

[dan miyers]

obama is best in speeches...but we r voting for a president of america and the world . we need the one who thinks, we need the one who acts and we need the one with more EXPERIENCE... thats HILLARY.

[Rajendra Ram]

I will definitely vote for Nancy Pelosi if she was running for President. At least she does not tell LIES like Clintin. Her friend Vincent Foster committed suicide because of her and she LIED in court about his status with her...Hillary is very dangerous, and yet these stupid Americans vote for her...It is astonishing how most Americans think. It appears they believe in lies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!and support LIES?????

[ORT]

Sen. Hillary Clinton: "You know, more people have now voted for me than have voted for my opponent. In fact, I now have more votes than anybody has ever had in a primary contest for a nomination. And it's also clear that we've got nine more important contests to go."

Sincerely

Jacksmith... Working Class :-)

And with this statement/quote you provide us all with another glimpse as to why the candidate that started out with every advantage imaginable has lost the nomination. LIES LIES LIES.
For the love of American common sense - at least post a lie that would be more of a challenge to uncover.
Is it possible that she is adding the votes from two primaries that nobody actively campaigned in (Obama was not even on one state's ballot)? Clinton had more influence than all other candidates combined in regards to the DNC but used none of it to get Florida and Michigan in line. She did not bother (just as she did not bother to read the reports before voting to authorize war). Now that she is loosing this all matters to her.
She is behind in every measure that Americans and Democrats use for nominations. You could convince more by not wholly swallowing this kind of nonsense then to spit it out. It diminishes your case.

[Sarina]

you FOOLS who keep saying "it wil cut jobs" don't get it, Hillary Intends to be m aking the oil & Gas companies cover the tax instead of us...the Tax $ is still being revenued. No wonder Obama supporters get so easily Sweeped by his empty "Let's Change The World" message. you can't even get your facts straight. to those who say "the oil companies will raise prices to make up for it" guess what they are being regulated by the goverment...so if the goverment doesn't approve the raise they will NOT be able to raise prices.

[Fed up]

Anyone that is getting excited over a gas tax holiday is a retard. There is no nicer way to put it. There's people talking about pennies and the price of eggs and oatmeal... give me break.

This is analogous to putting a bandaid on liver cancer.

This country is filled with sheep that go bananas for b.s. propaganda like a gas tax holiday. 18 cents, we're paying $4 a gallon. She wants to save you a whopping $50. Only by this time next year gas will be $5 a gallon. Let's
fix the problem! Hillary Clinton is a moderate-liberal version of George Bush, she will say anything to get elected, I wouldn't believe her if she told me it was May.

Wake up America!

[Middle class working veteran]

Comments are moderated and only allowed to appear if they support Democrats.

I for one will vote republican, not because I am wealthy, far from it, but because I believe in maintaining my rights as a free citizen.

Those of you that are willing to sacrifice freedom for safety, deserve neither and will only learn the horrible truth that the democratic party wants you unarmed, uneducated, and unwilling to put up a fight.

The news media wants the same thing. The papers and online so called news sources, post democractic news 3 times more often than they will print republican news. Then they only report negative news about republicans.
You are being manupulated by the printed word.
It is just marketing. They make you feel you need to have that new car, new shoes, and to charge it on your rewards card credit card. Why do you feel that you have to keep up with everyone else?

It is not the government that scares me, it is the unfree press, and how our society has become so compliant to anything they see on the web, watch on tv or read in the papers.

Try thinking for yourself, stop trying to be on the winning team, as we are going to lose no matter what the outcome. The president is a figure head, the real changes and the real power belong to the mega corporations that manage the bulk of the worlds wealth.

Why do more people vote on Idol than vote in elections?

Why are there more headlines about hollywood types than real people.

Why do teachers, fireman and police make the least amount of money and are the most vital to our society and movie stars and athletes make the most money but are the least necessary?

Why isn't there a single prescription medicine that cures a disease? They are all maintance drugs. So you have to keep buying them, month after month.

We have become a society of convenience. We have drive up windows for everything. The average middle class family eats 5 meals a week from a fast food place. The rest of the time they eat in front of the tv.

We are a fat nation because we have tasty high fat food 5 minutes away, and we all sit behind a desk, or go home and sit in a recliner. That and the advertising for fast food and soft drinks is dynamic and appealing, and only shows trim happy healthy people enoying that 1000 calorie mega burger, supersize fries and 2 gallon soda.

People, we have to change ourselves. You have to make a choice between convenience and real freedom.

We already have to endure TSA at airports. Why? There will not be another attempt like that because we are looking there! But is is the greatest single sham scam wool over the eyes ruse over put over on the American people.
We as Amercian citizens have to go through 3 security checks , remove shoes, and endure humiliation just to travel, yet out there on the runway with full acces to the same plane you spent 90 minutes in security for is a muslim employee, who does not go through any security because he works there as a baggage handler, clean up, food service etc. How ironic is that?

Now we have to be on the look out for tanker trucks near our schools. Trucks that carry cargo containers that slipped into the US on a mega ship loaded with a stolen russian nuclear warhead. Heck, the muslims wanted to get the security contracts for the ports. How stupid do we have to be that we cannot see the real threat to our way of life?
If the terrorists manage to scare us into keeping our kids at home, then we lose half of the buying incomes due to one parent staying home with the kids. Less money will be spent and the economy will continue to spiral downwards.

The opec nations are Muslim nations, the muslims want us gone.

Now you figure it out!

[anthony]

I can't believe people are still falling for this idea that Obama is an elitist.

OK, Hillary fans, here is what she really thinks about people who are really affected by an economic downturn (hint: they are not multimillionaires like her):

"During the 1990s, I cannot remember being asked about immigration... Why? Because the economy was working... And average Americans didn't have to go around looking for someone to blame."

Here is the link to the November, 2007 article on Time.com:

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1688794,00.html

[roslyn]

Memorial Day is about two weeks away. When will Hillary have time to even introduce a "bill" to be considered? George Bush will not sign it and Hillary is not the presdent-----Hello-o-o

[Sandy]

Pelosi has become a JOKE in this election process. She has been undermined over and over again, because she does not have the leadership skills to actually remain neutral. People have already criticized her for being an ineffective speaker, and now I realize how corrupt even the Democratic party has become in her inability to monitor this race with grace. You have lost a lot of fans Mrs. Pelosi, you have become a testament that liberals in power are really no different than Republicans in power.

[Turnie]

You people don't get it. It's the green dollars falling fast and becoming toilet papers. That is why everything else is costly - the dollars have less value now - please observe the currencies exchange rates!!

[Ryan Wilkins]

We want action in Congress and real solutions; here is my proposal. We reduce all politicians salaries to $35,000 a year, give each of them 2 children, a dog, 1 suburban, 1 volvo, soccer practice, chearleader practice, college loans and an adjustable home mortgage; then we will see results. Anyone agree?

[Craig]

Mona,

That is assuming that the price of gas is fixed, and the gas tax will result in an expected drop. But not so.

The price of gas is determined by the cost of crude, the cost of refining, the middle-man's change, the oil company's margins etc (all adding up to 95.5% of a $4 gallon).

When the Feds remove the gas tax and replace it with wind-fall tax, the oil companies will simply charge $4 for their gas and reclaim the 18 cents you were hoping to get.

So when all is said and done, you would have been had by another smart politician and gain nothing in return.

Compare this scheme to one where you get a rebate of $1000. That is 35 time your $30. It wold feed one child for 35 weeks at your calculation. That is HALF of a YEAR!!!

So ask yourself this question: "Do you want the ILLUSION of being able to feed a child for ONE WEEK or the REALITY of being able to feed one for SIX MONTHS?"

DON'T LET HILLARY FOOL YOU.

OBAMA IS THE REAL DEAL!!!

[wlbill]

You gotta be pretty ignorant to fall for this one!

[Robert]

Ah yes... Let's have a tax break so the oil companies can raise their price to close the gap and then when the tax holiday is over, gas will be even higher. Yes, let's believe Clinton when she says she'll go after big oil and at the same time take massive contributions from them. People need to get a clue. Obama's position isn't popular, but it's correct from every point-of-view.

[Robert]

"President Clinton thinks it's a good I idea. And unlike everyone else, he actually managed the greatest economic expansion and prosperity in the history of America. So I'm with Hillary Clinton on this gas tax holiday. :-)"

You mean he and Bush created the very mess were in now by creating economic bubbles and costing American jobs slowly over the last 15 years.

[Kris]

Hmmm...Now I see why the polls show that majority of less-educated and less free-thinking Americans are flocking to Hillary Clinton's camp. Wake up peolpe! No one says that just because you're less educated and poor you should not think for yourself and exercise your God given common sense. I know you can't be that lazy to think forself or for your children's future. Please wake up and smell the coffe! The Clintons are not for you or for anyone else. The Clintons are only for themselves and they will use you as a tool to get their fix - MONEY and POWER.

[Robert]

Finally, media is starting to ask where is Obama's plan? It is one thing to act like a southern preacher and another to deliver. Obama has offered only one plan for anything he has talked about. He is presuming we will all wake up and start singing Kumbaya and everything will be all right. This approach is just what the new young "entitled generation" wants to hear: "rewards without sacrifice".

[John West]

They don't want to eliminate the gas tax and they know they can't. That's just a stunt so during the election they can say they tried.

Yeah, reduce the gas tax. What America needs is more demand. Now I can go buy those Hummers.

[yo]

You don't have to be an expert to understand that repealing the gas tax won't save consumers money. There is no economist who agrees that this will work. Multiple elected officials from both parties have stated their disagreement with this plan. Its been tried before, heck even in Illinois, where Obama himself first thought it was a good idea. Then he learned that it did not work either. Just listen, and learn, and make good decisions. This is what Obama has done and is doing, this is true leadership

[DWR]

If you support Clinton because she is a woman, McCain because is is a conservative, and Obama because he is black, then our democracy is in danger. Pull your heads out of your behinds and start to understand ALL the issues that face ALL of us. Don't be a single issue voter, and don't vote on emotion, vote on FACTS. I am so disappointed in the public, the very people who vote against their own best interests.
The Gas Holiday is all the same political BS time and time again, understand the issue,the repercussions and intent.

[Andy Bantly]

I am tired of people saying that the gas tax will not work and spouting off a bunch of political garbage. I want someone to spell out clearly why it will or won't work.

I really don't care about politicians. In the Bush age, government is at its best when it can't do anything because that is one less thing to screw up.

I'm voting Democratic for president. I personally support Clinton but if Obama is nominated, I wil gladly cast my vote for him.

[Isabeau]

Mona, did you ever hear the expression, "Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime." Hillary just handed you a fish darlin.. and you're satisfied with that. I want to feed my family for a lifetime. I think it quite egotistical that you laugh at the ecologists just because you want to see a woman as president. But that is truly the Hillary way.

[Cynic]

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Saving a few pennies today, at the expense of thousands of jobs and higher prices tomorrow, is good for the working man. Repeat it hundreds of times a day and it becomes true, even when it's false.

[CORE DEMOCRAT]

This whole bunch of the Democrat Party, a party for ALL, are clueless to the MAIN BASE of this party! And it is not AA's, but majority white and with Clinton, HISPANIC community! We know enough about Obama that we are NOT voting for him if he is the nominee. He will NOT carry the Popular vote and that is what is important! Not a bunch of delegate counts NOT allocated in propotion to the vote in each state. And why does N Carolina have a delegate count HIGHER than states LARGER than it? Another "FIX" by the Party? ENOUGH! If the DNC and the rest of the "heads" of this party and the head of the DNC, does not start playing FAIR, we will do what we need to do to see it is challenged. Both legally as well as our vote in November! We will not be FORCED to have a nominee that is not representative of the majority of this party in his biased and racist views. And this is NOT Wright but Omama's OWN WORDS in his OWN books. ENOUGH! We must win in November and we cannot WIN in November with Obama. He will NOT carry Florida or Ohio or Pennsylvania and he will not carry Middle Income Whites, Hispanics and Women. So you can TALK about a 50 state strategy, but he cannot win ONE big state. He may win New York and California in November (even though he LOST them in the PRIMARY, but he loses the MUST WIN states! And he was ahead early PREWRIGHT but he will never again gain back that base. Look at the splits NOW! This is OBAMA'S OWN FAULT! NOT CLINTON' S .And the Democrat Party better step in! And we MUST count, and as ALLOCATED by the VOTERS, Florida and Michigan. You cannt just "dump" 2 of the LARGEST states in the US when voting is this close! If Obama is given this nomination, when it clearly shows that Hillary would win with Florida, then Obama has NOT won, but STOLEN this election! She, not Obama, will carry the Popular vote! And Hillary, NOT Obama, BEATS McCain in November! And that is what COUNTS!

[Isabeau]

To Frank Papasavas, I was almost impressed by your quaint little speech, all the way through your "multi-tier approach" ideas straight up to where you "dought" that the candidates combined knowledge can compete with a 5th grade science teacher. I believe the word you were looking for was DOUBT. See... you just lost all credibility, one little mistake and you are doomed, and you aren't even running for president. I'd hide my head in the sand if I were you. And meanwhile I'll go back to backing OBAMA in 08, since I "dought" any other candidate is worth voting for.

[zombi]

"

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

Posted by: mona | May 05, 2008 at 03:22 PM
"

congrats mona! you just sold your vote for $28!

[Dave]

Supply and demand is the problem with gas prices. The oil company's have us by the #ss. We must develope alternatives. Solar, Wind, Fusion, and switchgrass ethanol are the answers. Corn ethanol is killing the food supply. Let's get our troops home from around the world, keep all our money here to spend on our own problems, develope alternative fuels, and laugh at the rest of the world as they flounder like the animals a lot of them are. The current candidates are all way off. The only one close was Ron Paul.

[FRGus723]

I'll give you $10 now and you give me $40 in three months. Who is really agreeing to this? Wake up people, that is exactly what is going on with this stupid gas tax.

If 1 cent or $30 means that much to you then you are only going to hurt more in 3 months when big oil makes up for the extra $10 they gave you. If you can't afford to fill your tank now, good luck in 4-6 months. I guess then you'll be thinking, wow, what a dumbass I was to think this would work in my favor.

[Isabeau]

I just want to agree with one comment I browsed through.. it's true that the Clinton supporters are older women and lower class society who have not had the opportunity to be given the kind of education they deserve, Obama supporters are the higher working class and young college students who have been educated and know sound judgment and true hope for a great America. I feel badly for the ones who have been duped by Hillary, if any of you own computers and can read... Google all the criminal issues she has been involved in. The woman is evil. But go see for yourselves.

[DWR]

Single issue voters are destroying this country. Do you really understand the consequences of saving a bit of money at the pump? Do you know how WE will pay for saving this money? If you answer NO, then you better find out fast. Instead of relying on a savings of about $100 to the average consumer this summer in gas, buy a more efficient car, ride a bike, quite buying useless crap, do something other than consume. If this $100 is going to make or break you, then you have much more severe problems than buying GAS. If you think prices are high, guess what they will only continue to rise, so where is your line in the sand, and what are you willing to do about it? DO MORE FOR THE WORLD THAN COMPLAIN. SAVE AMERICA-STOP GREED!

[Obamamania]

Obama is the Messiah. I do not understand the "typical white people" who can not see that. They are blined by their bitterness and would rather cling to their guns and religion. I guess Obama and Reverend Wright are Right! God D*** america. Perhaps hillary needs to be a slave to Michelle for a while to understand why she is not proud of US of KKK. Mean Country!

[DenisR]

Miller knows what he is talking about. The snake oil people should be obvious by now! America needs Obama.

lets face it! the poor ignorant