Barack Obama's energy speech draws attention -- to his changing stances

Barack Obama surrogates fanned out on various TV interview shows today to discuss the dominant issue of the moment -- energy -- and to press the case that their candidate rose to the occasion Monday in laying out a comprehensive policy in a high-profile speech in Michigan.

We have to wonder, though, if the much-vaunted Obama campaign team anticipated that print coverage would focus so heavily on his latest change of position in the energy debate -- his support for tapping the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserves to drive down the cost of gasoline.

Here were the leads from the big three dailies:

"With the politics of energy shifting as rapidly as gasoline prices, Democrats, led by presidential candidate Barack Obama, are retreating from long-held positions and scrambling to offer distressed voters more immediate relief from spiraling costs." (Los Angeles Times)

"Sen. Barack Obama altered his position on Monday to call for tapping the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower gasoline prices as he outlined an energy plan that contrasts with Sen. John McCain’s greater emphasis on expanded offshore drilling and coal and nuclear technology." (New York Times)

"Sen. Barack Obama called Monday for using oil from the nation's strategic reserves to lower gasoline prices, the second time in less than a week that he has modified a position on energy issues, as he and Sen. John McCain seek to find solutions to a topic that is increasingly dominating the presidential race." (Washington Post)

The first-day Associated Press story by Tom Raum, which no doubt was widely used by medium-sized and smaller newspapers, quickly drew attention to both Obama's shift on the petroleum reserves and his surprise support late last week for a compromise that would ease the long-standing federal ban on offshore oil drilling.

Obama's new proposal, Raum wrote, "includes two significant reversals ...

... of positions he has taken in the past: He had steadfastly fought the idea of limited new offshore drilling and was against tapping the nation's emergency oil stockpile to relieve pump prices that have stubbornly hovered around $4 a gallon."

In terms of opinion pieces on Obama's plan, his aides won't bat an eye at a bashing from the conservative New York Post, which began an editorial today: "One more week, one more Barack Obama reversal on a key issue. Actually, make that two reversals."

But Obama aides may have noticed -- and become concerned about -- the San Francisco Chronicle's editorial take: "Sen. Barack Obama's energy policy is offering more flip-flops than a Lake Tahoe souvenir stand."

That's not quite the narrative the Obama camp was looking for from his speech.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[T Vazquez]

Imagine, someone changing their mind due to changing circumstances.

[Clinton for Pres.]

We're voting Hillary Clinton for President.

Obama is a phony, opportunistic, self-serving flip flopping gasbag with a nutjob hater wife

McCain is an outdated one-track limited thinker

Edwards is a smarmy, deceitful betray-and-humiliate-his-cancer-afflicted-wife liar

You men make a disaster of this world, be it in politics or business.

We have stopped doing business with men as much as possible because they always make a mess and misery. With women, all prosper. This assessment was formed only after repeat experience and observation.

Clinton for Pres. Write it in. Demand it.

[BJ]

It's about time the press and media caught up with the negative aspects of Obama! And they ARE numerous!!!

The Democratic Party only have 3 weeks to correct their gravest error in pushing Obama as their "presumptuous nominee".

Hllary supporters are NOT turning to Obama. If anything, more and more people are getting turned off by him! He truly is the "emperor with no clothes".

[Sam]

The media really hates Obama. I Wish the media would report instead of lie.

[edward cookman]

HMMM, do I want a president that is flexible and allows himself to consider all options, and make changes according to changing conditions, or do I want a president that decides on a policy and sticks to it no matter what?

[Donald A Gonzalea]

You want this man to be our next president? You cannot trust his positions from one minute to the next.

[Donald A Gonzalea]

What a phoney

[Earl]

both McCain and Obama has shifted on various positions. They're politicians and thats what politicians do. What;s the NYT, NYPost. LA Times and SFC plans on energy? All i see and read his cynicism. At the least the 2 have plan, personally, i perfer Obama's plan. MSM cynicism--its no wonder news paper readership is down 45%.

[Robert Witherington]

So whats the big deal? he compromised to get somthing done. What canyou say for GWB/DC or for that matter McOil?

[Nick Wiley]

What happened to the good old days when politicians staked out their positions on issues for decades, no matter how irrelevant or irrational their positions became as world events changed. Take George W Bush for example. He'll _never_ alter his position on anything no matter what happens or how irrational his views become. Solid as a rock, that guy...

[Arthur LEMAY]

Know we KNOW Obama is an imbecile, and should not even be in the Senate.

The .emergency oil stockpile is intended for a national emergency, particularly for the military. If we use it for everyone, it will run out in a few weeks and will not affect prices. So, using it this way will not work and we risk jeopardizing our military capabilities.

Is this our next President? He is a feeble minded incompetent and fool.

[kate cooper]

"We have to wonder, though, if the much-vaunted Obama campaign team anticipated that print coverage would focus so heavily on his latest change of position in the energy debate"- more LA times anti-Obama propaganda - Who writes the news anyway? Everyday the LATimes has a negative story about Obama and gives McCain's flop-flops a total pass. Don't you!!

No one wrote much about - McCain saying he would accept a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq -- What too busy with the Paris Hilton story ..LA times...??

McCain didn't want to drill off-shore untill the oil companies dumped millions on him last month.

how about him being against torture - untill he voted for it.
on and on and on but not the LA Times no they just monitor Obama position.s McCain he's the ONE and gets a total pass.

[The big picture]

Why is it unreasonable for Obama to make compromises on the oil reserve or drilling if it helps get the energy bill passed? A number of people may not realize it, but those are the types of compromises that are sometimes necessary to get a bill passed. I don't believe the senator is a fan of either of those compromises, but will accept them for the greater good. And enough with the personal attacks... why don't we talk about the issues.

[jojo star]

what is the surprise, he doesns't stand fo anything except being the first black president - when you understan that then you realize he can say anything or change anything he previously said because that is not the issue he is pushing - vote for the black man or be a racist

as or the press hating him, he is just getting a few justified comments after flipping so much, the press still loves him compared to how the treated clinton or are ignoring maccain

[Dave]

Obama's flip/flops are so regular that the phrase "To Obama" is entering the lingo at my work.
It isn't about changing circumstances- gas prices have been coming down over the last few weeks.
Tapping into the strategic reserve is for emergencies.- like Iran using nukes against Israel.

Again, this really calls into question his judgement. He was right to not tap into it.
It also calls into question the judgement of those people who still support him. Change is not neccesarily always good. No matter how bad things are, they could be worse. And Obama seems like the person best qualified to ruin what we have left.

[Bob Fanning]

Obamagasims generated by the Establishment Press. I think they are really overplaying their hand and pissing off a lot of Americans for their over-the-top promotion of Obama.

In his entire life, Senator Obama has never managed an organization larger than a Senate staff, or that of a law school publication. And, he's never operated a for-profit business or been responsible for any profit center within one. "

He just turned 47 and has never had a job, which qualifies him for;..................

PLENIPOTENTIARY POOH-BAH FOR LIFE OF THE WHOLE WORLD........coronation Aug. 28, 2008 in Denver where 75,000 will lock arms and sing "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mOEU87SBTU before toasting "The One " & consuming Kool Aid.

[chowderhead]

Baloney! John McCain was against offshore oil drilling before he was for it. Who's changing stances? Besides, what has McCain offered that's worth anything? Environmentally unsound offshore drilling, and patently dangerous nuclear technology. Obama's proposal makes infinitely more sense, and at least offers something to get us into the future without reliance on oil, foreign or otherwise. McCain's a hack, and he's been fooling us for years. Time to show him the door.

[Sin Amos]

Why are people so obtuse when it comes to reality that circumstances change and that the reason the war went so wrong is because the commander in chief was too daft to ADAPT to unseen situations and issues? People can just use crusty logic to make any thing seem how they want to show it. Shame on you ignorant folks that don't understand much about anything. LIFE is chaotic and ever changing and those that stay STAGNANT and do not adapt, PERISH. Get it. Learn it. Love it.

[Bruce]

Do you know what the "changing situation" is that made Obama change his position?

He was behind in the polls.

If he was well in front, he would not have changed his psotion several times in a few days.

[BrianD]

Dear Don,

I realize you have to deal with the stigma of being with the LA Times and the accusation of being a dreaded liberal.
You need to overcome that guilt, end your obtuse bias, and report news objectively.
If you were to do so, you would then evenly report of the many flip-flops of John McCain. Stop giving him the beneift of the doubt because he is 72 years old.
It's OK to be objective. Say that again.
Do not allow youself to be drunken by the slop from the right. Balance out, my friend. Get real and be real.
Stop falling for the BS that comes from the mouth of McCain and the right, dude.
Get a clue, and you shall redeem yourself. Otherwise, Join Fox.
Brian

[eman]

In all his speeches, I hear Obama criticize McCains' plan. Obama says McCain is wrong. He tells you what he envisions instead, but never gives ANY details about HOW he intends to accomplish the task. He seems to be all talk, with nothing to back it up.

Its a simple fact that if we want to reduce carbon, we need to go nuclear. Sure wind and solar can SUPPLEMENT our power, but the sun doesn't always shine, and the wind doesn't always blow, and we use power 24 hours a day, rain or shine. Besides, the Kennedy's have been blocking the installation of a wind farm near their property. Who else is going to block the construction wind farms in their neck of the woods? I'not saying that we shouldn't pursue wind, but it isn't a silver bullet either. At least McCain is addressing ALL options available that do not create huge quantities of carbon.

If you need to replace the source of gigawatts worth of constant coal power, then nuclear is the ONLY viable answer. Otherwise, if Californians don't have enough power to run their air conditioners today, then how do they expect to power a fleet of millions of cars as well? You would need a soloar system costing $30-60K to power our car. How does that reduce the cost to everyday americans?

Clinton didn't want to drill in ANWAR, stating that it would take ten years to see any of that oil. It's been ten years, and we could sure use that oil right now. Isn't anyone thinking about ten years from now? It could replace 3% of our foreign oil habbit. Obama argues that drilling in ANWAR is stupid because keeping our tires filled would do the same. Here's a thought...add 3% to our capacity AND reduce our consumption by 3% and now we're at 6% of the way there. How do you argue against that?

Obama says McCain is part of big oil bacause he supports off shore drilling. Now he changed his position, stating that SOME off shore drilling is OK. No information on WHICH drilling is ok, why his approach is any better, or how that doesn't put him in big oils pocket as well. Heres a thought. If you don't believe in supporting big oil, then stop buying their product.

Obamaa is just a wind bag that I can no longer support.

[me]

flexibility is good retards. being a rigid unconditional mule is a bad thing!

[Dath Lightbringer]

Obama has the right to change his mind, just like McCain did the other day. Or should we forget McCain tried to enter his wife into the Miss Buffalo Chip contest in Sturgis the other day. Oh and that Yugoslavia hasnt existed in 20 years.....de de dee.

If you want the same M.O. in the white house for the next 4 years vote for McCain, but if you want real change...then vote for Obama. Clinton supporters please give it up, shesh you are worse than those confederate asshats that still fly the confederate flag.....YOU LOST, GET OVER IT.

[Robert Downey]

Sycophants crack me up.
We have 3 people on here saying, "circumstances changed, that's why he changed his mind."
Really, other than dropping poll numbers, WHAT circumstances changed regarding oil and it's prices?
What made what he thought a terrible idea suddenly a good idea?
And didn't YOU supporters think his positions were glorious?
As for Witherington, I guess this is the mindset of Obama supporters. He compromised to "get things done?"
What are you babbling about?
He isn't getting "anything done." He isn't president (YOU DO KNOW THAT, RIGHT?) And I suspect it is these types of "moments" that will prevent him from being POTUS.

[rollingmyeyes]

Have you all heard McCain speak at one of his town hall meetings lately and make any attempt to talk about his policy positions? I haven't seen anything different from him and Bush. He is vague about talking about policy positions and then attacks versus offering any solutions to any problems just like BUSH. His press conferences are even worse because reporters will destroy him with questions he doesn't have any qlue how to answer so just like Bush they don't even take unprepared questions at press conferences any longer. McCain just stumbles and bumbles along rambling about any ole thing before finally making a stop at the Let Me Find Something Bad To Say About Obama Express. If elected "guaranteed" we will be the laughing stock of the world and corporate corruption will continue.

[Jason]

The notion that a leader must determine their stance on an particular issue and then never falter is ridiculous... Why, as new information becomes available, or one attains new insight into a situation can't they modify their stance on the issue?

If they didn't modify their outlook after new and better information became available they would seem awfully stubborn. Stubbornness is a highly ineffective behavior especially from a leader.

One particular quality that makes Barack a good leader is his willingness to listen to differing points of view. Whether right or wrong I think he truly seeks to understand the opposing point of view. A true leader does not need to have all the answers, however they must know how and where to find the best solutions and be adept at implementing the most appropriate.

Only time will tell how well he will implement the solutions he preaches. But he is certainly more able to analyze the information available to him then either John or George.

Let's move past this notion of a flip-floppery... so childish it is... we're a better Nation then that!!!

[miki san]

now just wait and see... he'll start with "what i meant was or what i said was or better yet you all have not been listening. No wonder the rest of the world think americans are stupid. We have someone like obama always have to explain to americans exactly what he thinks should be deduce from all his lies. anyone who thinks he's an intelligent man because he went to Harvard need their head examine as well.

[Joe Diego]

Arthur LEMAY appears to be another Obama hater making ignorant statements Perhaps he should have read this unbiased article: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2008/08/01/0801obama1.html

But I'm sure he'd rather listen to Rush L make more ignorant statements like "Obama wants gas prices to be high and wants Americans to suffer financially" or McCain blaming Obama for the current gas prices.

Obama never suggested we drain the emergency stockpile. He said he would consider limited offshore drilling _IF_ it would mean gaining approval for other more significant programs to reduce our dependence on oil.

The US has LONG had domestic sources for oil so why is it suddenly such an urgent issue to approve more new drilling that will have NO immediate effect on gas prices. For reasons we may never know, we have not fully tapped into existing sources and continue to rely heavily on foreign oil. Still, some people will try to convince us that drilling new sources is the qwik fix that will allow them to keep driving their 12mpg, 8 person suv with no passengers.

[orkid]

GO HILLARY. It is a shame we are now just getting to know Saint Obama!

[brian]

Yeah, only feebleminded people call for that during their campaigns.

Just like Bush in 2004, flipflopping - except that he was in office, and actually DID tap into the reserve...
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_41/b3903049_mz011.htm

Or maybe it's just feebleminded voters with no memory of their own?

[TJ]

At present, I do not support either of these two candidates. I am offended and disgusted by their campaign, puffed up on personalities and egos, at a time when the people of this country are in dire straits and the world is so uneasy. Neither one seems capable of "rolling up their sleeves and going to work on Day 1" because they want the office for personal reasons and not for any strong desire to actually get something done.
I do not know why, with the multitudes of problems and issues, and with the severity of them, that either or both did not begin by saying that solving the problems we face will need a little of this and a little of that. Instead, they patronize with untenable stances that will require compromise and blending if they are serious about solving problems. This results in "campaigns" about flip flops, silly ads, back and forth, blah, blah that does nothing for us but serves their own individual needs. This is just one of the major differences we may have experienced had we selected a capable, strong woman to compete in this election. We would, most certainly, seen a woman who was intent on doing the best possible job for the best possible reasons because there was so much riding on it. It is too late for that. The convention will not change what was decided for us in the primary. We are left with the same old same old---no CHANGE, no SAME, a big nothing, and, with either of these two men, we do not know what we will get. I am not so stupid not to know that solving the energy crisis will require all sorts of things to be done FOR me, AS WELL AS, me taking small steps to help myself, as well, such as, maintaining the air pressure in my tires, consolidating my trips for errands, budgeting my gasoline for the car, turning up the thermostat in the summer and down in the winter, turning off the lights, reduce eating out, and adopting a "pay as I go" instead of ready credit. That is how my parents continued to live long after their Depression Years and they managed just fine, without fancy clothes, designer lattes, and indulging in every restaurant that popped up on every corner of every town.
I am sick of the hype and pitiful campaign. I cannot bear to watch TV news or read these articles. I just cannot sleep tonight and went to my computer. Good Luck to all of us; we will need that and a whole lot more.

[victor knopp]

well my freinds it looks like were in the middle of an american awaking....the coat rack known as obama is starting to show his true lack of vision,wow fads end fast,and thank god hes falling like a rock,maybe before this fiasco is over we will all have learned an important lesson about the dangers of popular culture be it buissnes or politics,and to think they basicly destroyed all the good that was cilntons legacy,ELECTIONJACK 08

[TJ]

Furthermore, the Paris Hilton ad is about the best thing that I have seen throughout this campaign. Sadly, however, it is a parody of the entire campaign of both of these candidates. No longer can we be respectful of our presidential hopefuls and of the process. It has turned into a great big joke!

[victor knopp]

FLOOR VOTE

[Arthur Berry]

In the last 40 years I've seen ALL politicans flipflopping on their stances for a better America especially GW Bush. John McCain and Barack Obama are no different, so whats' new. Somehow americans seem to still survive the rhetoric that these politicans present. Hate mail and name-calling will not promise us a better presidential candidate but it prolong global peace. Let's Wise-up Folks !!!! History has proven to us that we cannot advance into the future with Hatred on our shoulders.

[dayouth2015]

If you really want to learn stop writing about the presidentcy because none of us have a say so, the electoral college does . and to make matters worse nobody realizes the rising population will soon be relieved in the near future. This types of things always happen every few hundred years, then a natural disaster occurs and everything goes back to normal. The main problem is that people have to much to think about and speak before they think.

[dave]

despite their difference in years, there are a lot of parallels between mccain and obama, other than that both have their birthday in august. both don't qualify as 'natural born americans', both have psychiatric issues, both have a tantalizing 'father figure' trauma, both have legal issues, both have a 'skin condition', both are 'puppets' of 'corporate america', both have inferiority complexes and delusions of grandeur, both are manipulative and manipulable, both are exponents of the same nwo ideology and political agenda, both despise the american people, and the values of the constitution, both prioritize their private interests that are contrary to the interests of the people, both are corrupt and without positive ethical principles, guidance and orientation, both are intellectually incurious, both are as shades in an intangible world that is their dream. and both are bent on destroying the american republic, and misleading the american people to give up their freedom, for what they might believe to be a better world, but what can only be a nightmare.

[victor knopp]

it seems like hes desperate to avoid admiting that the surge worked now there trying to confuse us on his other misjudgements

[Randell Young]

You act like you just discovered that any Democrat will say anything to get elected. They are all and only about power. They don't give a damn what the policy is or isn't. They just want to be the ones in charge.

The Messiah is different but only in that he is a committed Marxist. As soon as the dust settles, he'll go right back to opposing anything that works (no drilling, no nuclear, no new refineries, no coal) because in his heart of hearts he doesn't trust us with the freedom that our cars give us. He wants us riding the bus on our way to perform our mandatory voluntary government service. Haven't you heard these Marxists say over and over again that they have to get people out of their cars? The change The Messiah wants us to believe in is gas at $12 a gallon so that only the ruling elite will be able to afford to use the highways.

[Stan U.]

There's a BIG problem with trying to lower fuel prices by releasing oil from the Strategic Reserve:

Sooner or later the Strategic Reserve would have to be replenished with oil purchased from the international market. That purchase will temporarily raise prices at least as much as the release depressed prices. Given the ongoing volatility of the oil market, it is lousy economics to manipulate prices by artificially and temporarily adding supply.

If Sen. Obama is smart and calculating, as I hope he is, this new proposal is not a policy goal but an empty promise.

[jon]

Obama's campaign slogans seem to take the place of religion for many people

[Jim]

In reply to "Hil for Pres" manhater,
Hey sweetheart, you know the computer your typing on? Guess who invented it? A man. How about the light bulb that lets you see your computer keyboard, guess who invented that? A man. The air conditioning/heating that keeps you cool and warm? Yup, a man as well. The pre-cursor to the cell phone? Why, what do you know, also a man. You seem to hate men, but don't mind using some of the neat things they've invented - namely just about everything present in Western - and Eastern civilization. My guess would be you are either a divorcee 50 something woman, or gay - or both. Either way I don't care. Just don't take food from the hand that feeds you and then decry its evils. You remind me of Al Gore flying in his private jet from city to city and then complaining about global warming.
With regard to Obama and this story, the fact that he flip flopped (or "compromised" as some people so cutely put it) proves that he doesn't have a comprehensive, realistic, workable energy policy. Because if you do have a solid policy, then you don't have to change positions. The fact that now he wants to drill of shore proves that he is not a staunch supporter of the environment, and that he is ok with global warming, and that he must be in bed with big oil - or at least that is what the liberals have been saying about anyone else who wanted to drill offshore for oil for the past decade. What is Obama doing to reduce global/national emissions?

[Libby]

For those who are just catching up, Obama is doing what he did during the fight with Hillary. When he sees her being successful with a campaign he tries to duplicate it and says that is what he always said. Now he is doing the same, once McCain locked him into his stupid stance of doing nothing, so he comes out swinging like he is flexible on energy?

II am really hoping that the general voter population will pick up on this very soon. Bottom line is, you do not know What Obama is for because he goes where he thinks the votes are, and none of it means a thing. You cannot trust anything his says. Take that thought with you to the ballot box in November.

Obama change means whatever he has to say to get him to his next goal. Since he thinks he is already president, I'm guessing once he gets that job, which he will not do, because that is his history, he will move on to run for King of the World.

[marla]

obama flip flop more than a whale.
WHAT A DRACRAZY ... HE WONT GET IN WITH THAT Moma Joma.
Go McCain, you better get the USA STRAIGHTEN OUT.
And Peliosa better get those DEMOCRAZY BACK TO WASHINGTON DC. AND VOTE ON THE GAS LIMITS BEING LIFTED. OUR GAS IS OUT OF LIMITS NOW......
SHE DONT KNOW. WHAT FOR????

[Samuel]

Obama's changing position implies that he speaks without conviction. He will say whatever people like to hear. I do, however, think that he does have an agenda that is well hidden. He does mean something when he says "change" he believes in. But he does not spell out what that change is.

[Mainer1776]

Oh... part of Obama's energy plan is to label McCain as a "stooge".... This from the one, the One we've been waiting for, the One who will bring us together.

[DerbyDaddy]

Well, HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOO America. I was about to get my fifth case of whiplash watching BHO change positions again. Looks as though I will finally have some company in the medical emergency room. You have now entered the Twilight Zone where the real BHO is harder to find than Paris Hilton at a Mensa meeting.

[Milton]

The reason for supporting Obama had been his vision for the future and his apparent williness to avoid panderingon emotional issues...like the gas tax holiday. However all these flip flops in the last month...since securing the nomination, on FISA, torture,off shore drilling, and now draining the SPR are scary. And they are bad policy. Where's the beef?

[jjappy]

I am voting for Obama. Flipping is good and flopping is better. Just look where the economy is right now thanks to the "firm," "solid," steadily catastrophic course of GWB and his Republican cohorts and special interests. The same special interests that back McCain. Obama is my Flip-Flopper in Chief. He will flip and flop the economy to where it needs to be, where it was when Clinton left office. There is nothing wrong with a flip-flopper. America needs a good one right now, badly. Obama is the one. Of course he wants to be president, duh!! And I want him to be president, too. We need a Democrat in the white house. I am an independent, but right now any Democrat will make a far better president than any Republican. It is time for the Republicans to hand over America back to common sense and good governance. Enough is enough. Vote Obama!

[Kathy]

I'm sure that the New York Times won't give "Obama Nation" by Jerome Corsi a decent review but if people would like to know who Oabama really is, it's an excellent and well researched book. I believe the man is a compulsive liar.