Dubya definetely has it right on conservation...

[7.62]

Bush won't demand conservation - Mike Allen - Politico.com

President won't ask Americans to conserve gasoline, despite rising oil costs.

President Bush said Tuesday that he will not call on Americans to conserve gasoline despite the rising price of oil, saying consumers are "smart enough" to figure out for themselves that they should drive less.

"They're smart enough to figure out whether they're going to drive less or not. I mean, you know, it's interesting what the price of gasoline has done," Bush said at a news conference in the White House press room, "is it caused people to drive less. That's why they want smaller cars: They want to conserve. But the consumer's plenty bright. The marketplace works."

"You noticed my statement yesterday, I talked about good conservation and — you know, people can figure out whether they need to drive more or less," he said. "They can balance their own checkbooks."

"It's a little presumptuous on my part to dictate how consumers live their own lives," the president added. "I've got faith in the American people."

Bush was asked about an earlier news conference in which he said he had not heard of forecasts that gasoline could reach $4 a gallon, a mark that was soon eclipsed.

“I’ve heard of it now,” he quipped.

The president said the “psychology” of the oil markets must be considered in carrying out an effective energy policy.
See also

* Hill Democrats miffed at Obama
* Obama strategy: Equal pay, not abortion
* Obama says Iraq war must end

“It seems like it makes sense to me to say to the world at we’re going to use, you know, new technologies to explore for oil and gas in the United States … to send a clear message that the supplies of oil will increase,” he said.

“The president doesn’t have a magic wand,” the president added. “You can’t just say: ‘Low gas!’ ”

As the former oilman has throughout his administration, he referred to oil as “product,” in the industry lingo.

Bush was asked for the first time about "What Happened," the blistering memoir by former White House press secretary Scott McClellan.

“I have had — no comment now on Scott’s book,” he said.

Bush looked and sounded jaunty despite the weight of the issues, responding to a reporter’s greeting by saying it’s always a good morning when you’re serving the country.

At one point he referred sardonically to “your wonderful newspapers” and “your TV shows.”

“Is that what you call them – TV shows?” he teased. “Newscasts!”

unlike the democrats which want to control our lives, President Bush sees that people are capable of making decisions.

[tattedupboy]

As much of a failure as I believe President Bush has been, at least he does have the good sense to know that the free market, and not the government, should be the ultimate determinant in determining the future course of energy policy.

[7.62]

if america gets four years of Obama, they will be wishing Bush was in the white house. you don't know what you have until it's gone. While i do not agree with Bush 100%, i do not think he is a failure. he is a hell of a lot better then who we having running now and who could have won in 2000 and 2004.

[Memphis]

That's the most intelligent and Presidential thing he has ever said.

[tattedupboy]

Originally Posted by 7.62

if america gets four years of Obama, they will be wishing Bush was in the white house. you don't know what you have until it's gone. While i do not agree with Bush 100%, i do not think he is a failure. he is a hell of a lot better then who we having running now and who could have won in 2000 and 2004.

You're right that no person, including those who have been president, is perfect, and Bush is about as imperfect a president as I have ever seen, but even lousy presidents such as him get it right every once in a while, and he got it right in this case. Obama, on the other hand, I kinda see as being another Jimmy Carter; we all know what a failure he was.

[toreskha]

Originally Posted by Memphis

That's the most intelligent and Presidential thing he has ever said.

Ditto that.