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McCain denies misstating the timing of Iraq surge

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Bob | 12:03 p.m. July 23, 2008
This is why I will be voting for McCain in November. If Congress will lift the ban oil will drop at least another $10 a barrel. Don't be fooled. Democrats have told you it will take 10 years to affect gas prices. I hope the voting public is not that dumb.
Patrick | 12:15 p.m. July 23, 2008
The notion that Bush's largely symbolic "ban lift" had any effect at all on crude oil prices is asinine. Any half-witted economist could tell you that commodity prices are based on much more influential factors than empty political gestures.
an election year | 12:19 p.m. July 23, 2008
Just yesterday, a person wrote: "Bush has nothing to do with oil prices!" It was (as expected in this the reddest state)met with thunderous applause.

And today we read Bush is responsible for the drop in oil prices.

I love election years!
Comments continue below
Not fooled | 12:25 p.m. July 23, 2008
Oil may have dropped ten dallors a barrel but I have`nt seen any price drops at the pumps. I think it`s just a tempory thing and prices at the pumps will continue to rise.
OilMan | 12:33 p.m. July 23, 2008
The price of oil went down because we are finding our tipping point, the point beyond which we begin to make changes to our lifestyle based on price. There were, as mentioned, a couple of recent letters taglined 'stop blaming bush'. So we shall not credit him, either. Government could take more of a leadership role in conservation, but won't, so the invevitability of economics will. Enjoy.
G | 12:37 p.m. July 23, 2008
I attribute it to volatility.
Not believing this one! | 12:47 p.m. July 23, 2008
You have got to be kidding. I think John M. has been in too much sun in Arizona. The next report will be that he is considering Mitt as his Vice Pres. GET A LIFE. The funniest part of this article is that people will actually buy what this guy is selling.
does he | 12:47 p.m. July 23, 2008
If Bush can make it go down, then why did it go up?
RE: an election year | 12:51 p.m. July 23, 2008
I am not sure if the President had anything to do with the drop in price either but your arguement is flawed. The President does not have any control over oil prices. A supplier can charge what they want. However, the president changing national policy opening up new venues for oil exploration and drilling could. An increase in supply in theory would decrease price if demand remained consistant. Simple economics.
JOHNJ | 12:55 p.m. July 23, 2008
It�s really coming true McCain is nothing but a mirror image of Bush. He says stuff that doesn�t make any cents. Well that may be wrong but I�d bet that if McCain gets elected President you will really have less cents to buy anything.
EdM | 12:56 p.m. July 23, 2008
I attribute it to the fact that we have the Days of 47 coming up and gosh dang it, people need gas to get to the parade! But then again, I could be wrong and misinformed.....sigh.....
Credit where credit is due. | 1:03 p.m. July 23, 2008
If he is taking credit for the whopping $10.00 drop in the price, will he also take responsibility for the previous $100.00 increase in the cost. His made up war definitely contributed to the increase in cost.
Darrel | 1:10 p.m. July 23, 2008
Funny how the price in oil dropping by 10 dollars last week made my price of gas go up by 10 cents. Go figure....
Bush Whaked | 1:17 p.m. July 23, 2008
I think if McCain wants to be president he better quit backing Bush. People are tired of Bushe`s antics.
Bob | 1:21 p.m. July 23, 2008
re: Patrick. Speculation, learn about it. Please, point out to the rest of us just how you who know so much. What would cause gas prices to decrease. Here I will help, let them get so high that people choose a different form of transportation. Then hope the rest of the world does the same. Isn't that the unofficial Bush hater talking point. Economic lesson: Production of a raw material produces wealth. After that the money is just traded around, speculated on ect. Perceived, supply and demand. Perceived. Next you will tell me if Congress lifted the ban it wouldn't affect gas prices either. Oh, and the other talking point. It will take at least 10 years for this to affect oil prices.
re: an election year 12:51 | 1:46 p.m. July 23, 2008
This person tells us:
"The President does not have any control over oil prices. "

So - McCain is lying?
Henry Drummond | 1:47 p.m. July 23, 2008
Amazing that the Bush Administration found oil that fast! Maybe now they can find those weapons of mass destruction...

Lame | 1:50 p.m. July 23, 2008
How stupid does McCain think we are? Even the most loyal republican has to be scratching their head on this one.
memikeyounot | 1:51 p.m. July 23, 2008
Bush can't make anything go down except the spirit and emotions of the country. The last 7.5 years with 181 days remaining, have been a nightmare for any right-minded person. Nothing could be worse than a continuation of any sort of Bushco's policies.
Ernest T. Bass | 1:59 p.m. July 23, 2008
McCain will be as pathetically horrible as Bush has been.
That's pathetic. | 2:07 p.m. July 23, 2008
Bush had nothing to do with the drop in the price of oil. Can you say "supply and demand"? With the economy tanking, there was less money to spend on gasoline so the price dropped.

It's clear McCain knows and understands exactly nothing about the economy. Sad.
Capt. Smash | 2:08 p.m. July 23, 2008
Really, so when prices go back up we can count on Bush to bring them back down! Please, I thought they went down becuase of increased supply. Also Bush started talking to Iran just like Obama wanted to and the threat of Iran shutting off its supply was temporarly removed from market.

Futher, if elected McWar will bomb Iran and lets see how much we will be paying.
Rolling my eyes | 2:13 p.m. July 23, 2008
That's like saying that Bush saved a guy falling out of a window after Bush pushed him out of the window. In other words, you can't be the hero when you were the villian to start off with.
EdM | 2:19 p.m. July 23, 2008
I guess my reasoning was flawed after all....not a single comment in reply....sigh
JAB | 2:21 p.m. July 23, 2008
It sure sounds like McCains Alsimers is kicking in!!
J in SD | 2:27 p.m. July 23, 2008
The only thing that Bush has made go down during his presidency was his job approval ratings!!
Anonymous | 2:30 p.m. July 23, 2008
It appears that McBush, the neocons, and the entire GOP can sense a landslide victory for Obama and perhaps a new beginning for America and they are throwing caution to the wind in absurd and desperate comments as this.
hoodoo1939 | 2:33 p.m. July 23, 2008
This is an immediate reaction to the resolve that will further happen as Americans get on the ball. If we can get Congress off 'dead center' and show OPEC that we are serious about "drilling here, drilling now" you will see the prices further drop. We need to use every means to become energy self sufficient, sooner, rather than later. If it takes years to get more oil, let's start NOW, rather than wait another minute: the results will come sooner, rather than later. Vote those out who will not comply!
Speculators | 2:31 p.m. July 23, 2008
Once the speculators see that America is serious about increasing supply in the long run, then the price of oil will go back to where it was a couple years ago. $50 - $70 a barrel is not unrealistic. Remember, demand did not increase proportionate to the rise in oil prices just this last year. It was $70 a barrel just last summer and I thought that was too high personally. Let the Markets work, let companies bring more oil supply online.
lol | 2:40 p.m. July 23, 2008
Yesterday the conservatives wanted us to believe Bush wasn't accountable for any assurance during the last seven years.

Today, Bush controls global oil prices. :-)

Anonymous | 2:39 p.m. July 23, 2008
wow we haven't even started drilling and gas prices drop. What are the dumbocrats going to argue next, Global warming?
Name1 | 2:47 p.m. July 23, 2008
We could drill all the oil wells we want...if we don't build any refineries for the "new" oil the gas will never make it into our cars and the price won't go down....there is a large cork in the supply line in this country and it is not enough refineries so drilling won't help the problem...Plus McBush wanted to send all our alaska oil overseas anyway...How the heck will that help us???
bring it up in the debates | 3:09 p.m. July 23, 2008
Perhaps McBush should bring this up in the upcoming televised debates.
This, plus every other topic in the debates should be both interesting and highly entertaining.

I'm trying to be respectful and compassionate as I can, but it seems to me Senator Obama has set the stage for chewing McBush up and spitting him out - but the decency and class Obama has exhibited thus far might indicate he will only take the gloves off unless forced to.
Really? | 3:12 p.m. July 23, 2008
Can a conservative intellectual elitist please explain what is unique about gas that oil must be transported thousands of miles from it�s source so, it can be refined were there are higher land and wage cost than, if oil was refined in Mexico?
CiCi | 3:36 p.m. July 23, 2008
He's is still a day late and a dollar or so short, he only acted after pressure and a feared revolution.
Please explain | 3:37 p.m. July 23, 2008
Please explain the better plan. Someone, anyone. You are all so intellectual. Please explain how to get gas prices to drop and meet the demand for energy in this country.
to: Please Explain | 4:31 p.m. July 23, 2008
Here is one possibility: President Bush goes on tv and announces that we are in trouble, that we will drop the speed limit to 70, etc. on federal highways, and that encourages states to drop their speed limits too.

That is step one: ack. there is a problem and give us the first piece of simple action that can take place tomorrow at 8 am.

Decrease speed means less gallons used, which means that demand falls a little and a surplus starts back at the pump... which then leads to a drop in prices.

Nuclear physics it ain't. It is called supply... and demand. Demand falls, supply grows, prices fall. It ain't nuclear physics.
marc | 4:33 p.m. July 23, 2008
McCain misspoke. He is old Give grandpa a break, will yah.

His brain worked better 8 years ago. He is slowing down now. Someone tell him please.

Note: does the GOP really have to nominate grandpa after these goofs????????????
cat | 4:39 p.m. July 23, 2008
I just told my cat that i think that McCain kind of acts like Bush.

The cat jumped out the window.
G | 5:23 p.m. July 23, 2008
"Note: does the GOP really have to nominate grandpa after these goofs???????????? "

What goofs? Like Obama not knowing which banking committee he sits on in the Senate? Obama has enough gaffes to keep those Bush calender publishers busy for another eight years.

But I half hope Obama wins in November. If McCain wins the ire that the media and democratic interest groups have carefully cultivated for the last eight years for Bush will just come back in four years.

With Obama and a Democrat Congress in power, the Bush tax cuts will be repealed and that revenue will go into the enormous new proposals Obama promised. Deficit spending will continue to increase unless they pass new taxes, which will put tax rates at an all time high. This will retard job growth and set up from for a new wave of Republican victories post-2010.

Bush's approval ratings are terrible but about half the population still identifies with small government and low taxes. If the GOP can regroup and cleanse itself of its recent excesses, it could come back.

Otherwise, be looking for a good offshore tax haven.
Anonymous | 6:12 p.m. July 23, 2008
He can deny it all he wants. There was a transcript (which at least yesterday hadn't been scrubbed) that is now in circulation. The rest is merely comparing his words to the historical record. And, guess what?

He was flat out WRONG. Like he has been about who the Suni and Shi'ia are. And who he choses as advisers.

He's lost it. He doesn't have his faculties anymore. It's that simple.
Rutland vs. Medfield | 8:35 p.m. July 23, 2008
John McCain is not an honorable person. He misstates, then says he didn't. He supports one initiative, then says he never did. He straight talks out of one side of his mouth, then double speaks out the other.

Only a freshly caught trout flip-flops more.

He says he will run a campaign above the fray, then accuses Obama of supporting genocide while Obama is laying a wreath at the holocaust museum in Israel.

A basket of rotting fish smells better than stench coming off the Straight Talk Express.
Business | 8:41 p.m. July 23, 2008
Oil companies buy oil in devalued dollars. People think oil producers with take dollars worth half as much and not adjust the price? The same is true for, corn, Iron, gold or copper. If, I produced oil I would want euros pounds or yen over dollars or pesos. Business is about making money not being a charity.

Bush will do something to destabilize the oil market and prices will climb once more. Iran is buying SS 300 air defense missile from Russia.

Conservatives think debt magically gets paid off. I don�t see our economy reversing for at last a year.
ex mayor | 8:47 p.m. July 23, 2008
If I understand all of the lib�s and their media cohorts; the surge did not have anything to do with the improvement in Iraq, the President rescinding the executive order did not have anything to do with the lowering of the cost of oil and Obama thinks if his plan would have been implemented Iraq may have even been better than it currently is. Talk about Alice in Wonderland thinking. Up is down etc. What is scary some really educated people act like they believe it. Surely they are just shucking and jiving us.
The Universal Curmudgeon | 8:50 p.m. July 23, 2008
I see that the "Minitry of Truth" is alive and well.

Mr. Bush didn't announce that he was sending 30,000 additional troops to Iraq, he announced that he was sending 12,000.

The fact that he ended up sending 30,000 is only indicative of the depth and breadth of Mr. Bush's contact with the realities of Iraq (or, alternatively, that he has no idea that there is such a thing as a logistics tail for any detachment of troops in combat).

If Mr. Bush had taken a look at Sun Tsu, he would have had some idea of the probable fate of a general who doesn't know what he wants, doesn't know what he has, doesn't know who the enemy is, doesn't know where the enemy is, doesn't know what the enemy has, and doesn't know what the enemy wants.
Ernest T. Bass | 9:25 p.m. July 23, 2008
McCain's lies are almost as bad as Bush's. They are both horrible men. McCain would make a terrible president.
Minutiae | 9:23 p.m. July 23, 2008
Who cares? It's the stupid economy, stupid.
Rutland vs. Medfield | 9:52 p.m. July 23, 2008
to "ex mayor"

Please keep you thinly veiled racist comments to yourself. It begs the question as to what type of community you would be mayor of.

We all know that if you don�t fit the approved ethnic or worship profile, you can only go so far in the Republican party. You should listen to those educated people you were slamming.

Barak Obama is a better person and will make an infinitely better president than John McCain. That is straight talk you can take to the bank�if your bank is still solvent.
Old Timers Disease | 11:12 p.m. July 23, 2008
To JAB 2:21 let's hope your spellchecker kicks in soon.
JT | 1:16 a.m. July 24, 2008
To Rut vs Med

Since when is "shucking and diving" considered racist. Some people are just too overly sensitive and trying to be too politically correct. I swear you Obamabots try to make everything about race even if you have to pull it out from between your cheeks (not the ones on your face if you get my meaning). From the Clinton's "kid", "fairy tale", "Jesse Jackson" and "MLK" comments all being spun as veiled racism by Obama and his supporters, I am lead to believe that Obama is willing to sacrifice all the progress this country has made dealing with prejudice just to try to win with sympathy and guilt. Obama playing race is just a form of extorting votes. The only racists I see are Obama and his supporters.

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