OAK BROOK, Ill. -- One week after asking CSP Daily News readers their thoughts on a Barack Obama TV ad promising to have Big Oil "pay a penalty on windfall profits," opinions are mixed. Some readers back the presidential candidate's pledge, while others say he needs an education on where those profits come from. Still others say he's just saying the things he thinks will get him elected.
In the TV spot, which played in Pennsylvania last week, Obama takes a strong stand against Big Oil, saying he "won't let them block change anymore." Senator Obama stands at a gas station and goes after [image-nocss] ExxonMobil in particular in the ad, which starts off with old footage of cars lined up for gas at an Exxon station back in the 1970s.
People cried out for energy independence back then, Obama says, and "nothing's changed—except now Exxon's making $40 billion a year, and we're paying $3.50 for gas."
Here are some of the thoughts about the ad shared on the CSP Discussion Board:
· I agree. I am not only for taking back the country but letting the consumers dictate the market. A growing trend right now is the boycott of Exxon/Mobil till December. As the trend gains strength, they will be forced to drop prices to gain market share.
· Mr. Obama should do his homework before playing to the emotion of those that do not understand the energy business. If Barack or his supporters would analyze ExxonMobil's P&L, they would know that 70% of ExxonMobil's profit is made outside the United States.
· Democrats are always talking about "windfall profits." They can never say how much profit is too much profit. Nancy Pelosi actually said one time that she would tax windfall profits at 100%. It is not up to the government to control the free market. If a politician wanted to do something to help consumers with the gas issue, let them be brave enough to say they would eliminate federal gas taxes and offset that income loss with equal cuts in pork barrel spending. It will never happen!
· He will fool people with this ad, but obviously, he doesn't run the government by himself. It's nice to say he'll save us money, but I find it hard to believe he'll find enough senators who will support any legislation that would hurt the oil industry.
· I think Sen. Obama's statements are somewhat misguided and politically uneducated, but you can't blame him for trying. More coverage needs to be given to the boycott of ExxonMobil—not the "one day" one but the long term one. E/M is not the leader in this market, but I note they do have the lower prices. Maybe the new boycott is having an effect?
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