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

[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.

[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.