The LA Times reports

“Democrat Barack Obama called today for tapping the nation’s strategic oil reserves to help drive down gasoline prices, a shift from his previous position on the issue.”

Although it was nice of the LA Times to acknowledge that this has not always been Obama’s stance on the issue, the word shift is certainly an understatement. Saying he had performed an about face would be much more suitable if you take into account his words from 2005 in the aftermath of Katrina:

However, I do believe that this tragedy makes it very clear that that the reserve should only be used in the event of an emergency, and that we shouldn’t be tapping the reserve to provide a small, short-term decrease in gas prices.

On a tip from Jim Geraghty who wonders Does a Poll Drop Count As an Emergency?

Three years ago, Obama had it right. A release of oil from the strategic reserves would only offer a short-term decrease in gas prices, and those decreases would inevitably be followed by an increase once the United States had to replenish those reserves.

Ed Morrissey:

Obama changed his position to protect Nancy Pelosi, who demanded a release from the SPR rather than allowing a debate and a vote on the House floor on increased domestic drilling. However, a release from the SPR would only provide momentary relief and do nothing to resolve the underlying issue of higher gas prices — a supply shortage on the world markets. Eventually, the US would have to refill the SPR, increasing demand which, without any increase in supply, would drive prices up even farther than they are now.

Obama used to have the intelligence to understand this. Now he’s too desperate to care.

If you are an Obama supporter, read his quote from 3 years ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and ask yourself if it makes sense to you. Once you conclude that it does, ask yourself why Senator Obama has reversed his position on the issue, and wether that reversal represents a movement in the right direction on energy policy. Let me know in the comments what you think, I cam certainly looking forward to reading your replies.

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Barack Obama, Election 2008, Energy, Features, Politics