Business

President Obama: Gas Is Expensive Because People Keep Talking About War With Iran

President Obama said on Monday that fears of an approaching war with Iran have driven up the price of gas.

“The biggest driver of these high gas prices is speculation about possible war in the Middle East, which is why we’ve been trying to reduce some of the loose talk about war there,” the president said during an interview with an ABC affiliate in Orlando, FL.

(Related: An inconvenient photo at a gas station outside the White House.)

The president made similar remarks last week when he criticized what he called the “loose talk of war” made by pundits and politicians in regards to Iran. The president took special care to single out the “casualness” with which some of the GOP presidential candidates have talked about armed conflict in the Middle East.

“This is not a game. There’s nothing casual about it,” President Obama said last week.

During Monday’s interview, the president repeated familiar themes, including the oft-repeated line that America “can’t drill its way out of its energy problems,” and said that tougher fuel economy regulations and green energy programs would help curb the nation’s demand for oil.

The president said he “understands why people might give him low marks” for high gas prices but he stands by his energy policies, The Hill’s Andrew Restuccia and Ben Geman report.

“As long as gas prices are going up, people are going to feel like I’m not doing enough and I understand that because people get hurt when they are going to that gas station and seeing those prices rise every day,” President Obama said.

According to Restuccia and Geman, federal policymakers have “limited options to lower gas prices in the short term,” because they are set to oil prices, which are set on world markets.

“Obviously what we want to do is get gas prices as low as we can, as quickly as we can, but the most important thing in order to do that is to reduce our demand of oil,” the president said.

Perhaps for good measure, the president made sure to repeat his “long-standing” opposition to the oil industry’s tax breaks.

“[T]here is no reason why we should be subsidizing the oil companies by $4 billion dollars every single year, money that we could better use to continue to invest in the alternative energy future that is going to be so important,” he said.

(H/T: WZ)

Comments (151)

  • thx1138v2
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:07pm

    Is Obama a Master Of The Obvious? Gas is expensive because it costs a lot.

    Report Post »  
    • little big man
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:18pm

      Hey president dumb a$$, could it be because you have at every turn shut down the gas and oil ind. in this country. could it be your lousy energy policies.

      yep I think that’s it.

      Report Post » little big man  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:23pm

      Actually, Gas is expensive… because people still use it… and the Supply has not increased by US Drilling… so, Obama’s Boycott of Oil, in order to force Americans to create & use Renewable Energy, has failed, so far… and so, he remains resolute, as a PUNISHMENT upon the nasty children who will not cooperate with the LORD & MASTER!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:31pm

      Why Doesn’t Obama Just Step Down, Even Joe Biden Can Do A Better Job.

      Report Post »  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:38pm

      We now have in the united states a huge supply of oil and natural gas in the new oil Fields of North Dakota We have unemployed people willing to work building pipelines We are going to be exporting oil in the future.. The natural gas can be used to fuel power plants for cheap electricity ..Only a dictator like Obama would let his country suffer while our future looks so good..We can achieve energy independence and put this middle east nightmare behind us

      Report Post »  
    • PRRedlin
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 12:06am

      Drilling has increased under Obama compared to under Bush.

      Rhetoric and beating the drums of war does create speculation.

      These are facts.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 12:25am

      Oh… is that Obama’s “MAD” face? He sure looks scary! I guess I’ll have to change my vote from reason to insanity because Obama looks so mad and upset about his current poll numbers. I hope The Blaze will post this next comment to Heir Obama… the only Bush that Obama can blame on his current situation is the one he rode to the White House. Moooooochel; now that’s a nasty fat @ss Bush!
      Yep, it’s Bushes fault!

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 12:27am

      I never thought anyone could make me wish Biden was President….. What a moron .

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 12:46am

      @Detroit paperboy
      Haven’t talked with you in a while… how are you doing?
      The-Monk

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • cuinsong
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 12:56am

      No you fre**kn idiot its because you are doing everything you can to stop production here at home.
      You are so full of it I can’t stand you, and it has nothing to do with your color because their a lot of colored people smarter then you!
      You have nothing more to offer but stupidity so its time for you to leave the game!
      Song for you “The Game of Life”http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_12524752

      Report Post » cuinsong  
    • cuinsong
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:06am

      sorry
      “The Game of Life
      ”http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_12524752

      Report Post » cuinsong  
    • cuinsong
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:10am

      think I got now
      “The Game of Life” http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_12524752

      Report Post » cuinsong  
    • cuinsong
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 1:16am

      @MCDAVE
      You are right on; Bingo. They do not want this country to do well.
      This guy upsets me so much I can’t see straight sometimes!

      Report Post » cuinsong  
    • old white guy
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:33am

      gas is expensive because the government is printing money and creating unnecessary inflation. the refusal to drill for and use american oil is also driving the price. the middle east could go up in flames tomorrow and there still would be enough domestic oil for hundereds of years.

      Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 10:54am

      I think this is proof positive that the Left wants to keep people distracted with shiny objects so they will not notice the cage being built around them. This president is a moron plain and simple. Sounds like the housing pundits who said all was well with housing during the run up and if people would only stop talking negative about it then all would be fine. Stupid logic never wins the day! BHO is stupid!

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 12:57pm

      Yo Preedlin;

      I believe the facts are … obama has not signed a single contract for drilling … the drilling that has/is taking place are/where prior contracts to his election.

      Report Post »  
    • SamIamTwo
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 3:35pm

      the man is simply passing gas..

      Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • The American People
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 5:55pm

      The most destructive President in US history thinks the American People are stupid enough to buy his BS that everyone talking about Iran’s public threats, is what is raising prices? WOW, how many times does he have to spit in your faces and call you subhuman America? Has this country’s self respect been reawakened yet???? Come on! The best looking dress, evil has ever put on since the founding of the country, is progressivism. Wake the hell up America.

      Report Post » The American People  
    • Fear The Voices
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:34pm

      Will this moron-in-chief ever admit it was his intention all along? His policies had led to this and well as the monetary policy of his co-horts in the Fed. Inflation is real, and our dollar isn’t buying what it did years ago.

      Report Post » Fear The Voices  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 12:59am

      He’s right but only speaking in half truths.

      We can’t drill our way out of the energy crisis because our National Parks are the collateral against our Chinese debt obligations. Why the national parks? Because that’s where the oil is! So it’s not our parks backing the debt, it’s the oil and it belongs to China until we pay them back.

      If we start pumping it out of the ground and using it to fill our gas pumps we’ll have a billion Chinese foot soldiers on our shores more than willing to die to take it from us.

      We do not have a fiat currency, our currency is simply backed by something more plentiful than precious metals. Our dollar isn’t backed by Fort Knox, it’s backed by ANWR. Simply follow the debt collateral, it‘s so obvious why we don’t drill here I‘m shocked it’s still largely a secret to most people.

      WAKE UP AMERICA!!!

      Report Post »  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:03pm

    Yeah… that’s it Pres. Geezuz.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
    • Lord_Frostwind
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:11pm

      I’m going to need a replacement for my bull s*** meter after that one.

      Report Post » Lord_Frostwind  
    • PRRedlin
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 12:08am

      So heated rhetoric of instability wouldn’t cause speculators to drive up the price of gas? Is that honestly what you are saying? Heck when one platform in the gulf is threatened by a hurricane (not even one 100th of 1% of world oil production) gas prices rise 20 cents due to speculation.

      Report Post »  
  • Obama Nation
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:03pm

    Video: Trevor Loudon Explains Communist Infiltration In The United States

    http://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/video-trevor-loudon-explains-communist-infiltration-in-the-united-states/

    Report Post »  
  • smokeyridgerunner
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:02pm

    Gas is high because you will not let us drill for our own, in our own country!

    Report Post »  
  • pinchanze
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:02pm

    Is this guy a Panty Waist or what?

    Report Post » pinchanze  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:41pm

      That would be an insult to panties worn everywhere…

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
  • watman43
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:58pm

    Hey Obama its the excessive printing of money( qwantitative easing) causing inflation and the dollars loss of value, Thus causing gas, food, fertilizer , pesticide, plastice used for computors ,cell phons, tv’s, pharmaceuticals,household cleaners and chemicals,and for you global warming nut jobs freon for the air conditioning you could‘nt possibly live without in your homes and your SUV’s , carpet.flooring, plumbing pipes, to become more and more expensive. I could go on and on and on .But I wont . I think you get my point. Hey Obama its not just gas prices just try to live your rock and roll life style with out all your oil based toy;s .Air force one would look like a striped out cargo plane. Also no tires and most parts on the giant SUV you drive .They dont use real rubber any more. Its oil man so get your head out of the clouds. Its not just gas its everthing we have and use in life today. I DO GET IT !!

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 7:31am

      100% correct and nobody is really talking about that.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Fear The Voices
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:37pm

      Gonzo, a few people are, have heard it several times the past few weeks; but don’t expect the lap dog media tools to mention it; since it would make it obvious they have a marxist bias when one considers their future and past endorsements of dear leader .

      Report Post » Fear The Voices  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:54pm


    FLUKE YOU OBAMA.
    Take a stand for Israel or step down as President.

    Report Post »  
  • jerannco
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:41pm

    Why is it with thus guy that everything is always someone else’s fault and never his? The theory he believes will work is more EPA regs and more Government strangling private industry, not to mention those ‘green schemes’ that only fatten the pockets of politicians and their families while raping the taxpayers. Entitlements or not, this crap isn’t flying Barry. It‘s obvious that you can’t do the job.

    Report Post »  
  • BJC
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:41pm

    Well! At least he didn’t blame the tsunami, earthquake, or the Tea Party. That’s new.

    ABO–Anybody But Obama!!!

    2012–The End of an Error!

    O ne
    B ig
    A $$
    M istake
    A merica

    Report Post »  
    • martinez012577
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:58pm

      Why vote for anyone but Obama when only one candidate really addresses the issue.

      When the dollar goes down in value, oil rises. Its simple economics. We spend to much, so we have to print money. When we print money the value of the dollar goes down.

      Only one candidate in the race cuts real spending instead of cutting future increases.

      Ron Paul 2012!!!! I voted for him today, and will vote for him in November.

      Report Post » martinez012577  
  • ree758
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:38pm

    Gas prices are high because you signed a filabuster in 2006 stopping drilling in anwr
    Gass prices are high because you took over GM and killed the hydrogen car
    Gas prices are high because your biggest contributer Soros benefits from it
    Gas oprices are high because you stopped the oil spill in the Gulf from being cleaned up by sending the cleanup boats back.
    This is your depression I’m living in Stop blaming Bush

    Report Post »  
  • ambrosia
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:33pm

    No, Dumbo-
    Gas is expensive because YOU keep campaigning & talking CRAP. non-stop !

    You destroyed the jobs, on the thriving Gulf Coast.

    You stuck your nose up, at the Keystone XL Pipeline.

    You gave billions of taxpayer’s dollars to Brazil for their drilling industry.

    You have knocked & nixed EVERY single opportunity
    for America to drill & free herself from the ongoing Mideast headlock.

    The minute America mentions serious drilling, oil prices dive.
    Obaba-Louey is too stupid to play “energy poker”.

    Citizens need to march in the streets with signs that merely say, “SOLYNDRA”

    Go Green & go belly up, on the taxpayer’s dollar-
    As SOLYNDRA goes, so goes Obama !

    OMG…OBAMA MUST GO !

    Report Post »  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 12:19am

      George Soros own the majority of Brazil’s off shore oil operations, he didn’t want the Keystone pipeline…What can a puppet like Obama do?..Campaign contributions are more important than the people of America..

      Report Post »  
    • Fear The Voices
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 9:40pm

      Can we write in Ted Kennedy’s corpse? Could do any worse!

      Report Post » Fear The Voices  
  • mwhaley
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:32pm

    President Pookie Remember you’re drilling moratorium? How about your EPA? I’ll bet you forgot your Keystone pipe line. I really think you know what you are doing. Your muslim brotherhood did state, “We can’t bring her down from the outside, We will bring her down from the inside.”

    Report Post »  
  • bmel
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:32pm

    speculators would freak out if the Odramnator would announce drilling on all fed lands previously explored.There is fed land that has been set aside since WW2 to allow Navy oilers to function in war time oil untouched. Let alone Anwar. But I guess we can all ride bicycles like Chue or anyone seen a windpowered 18 wheeler yet??

    Report Post »  
  • Tankertony
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:29pm

    If we had a respectable energy policy, we’d be able to take out Iran (their leadership),
    and pay even less for gas.
    But no, we under the regressive influence of the progressive marxists.

    Report Post » Tankertony  
  • Maximus_Delta
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:26pm

    no hussein, it is because you have stopped drilling for oil, put epa regulations on refineries, stopped building new refineries… no it is all on your black arwse…

    Report Post » Maximus_Delta  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:26pm

    Here’s a quick way to take down Iran fm the inside:
    1. Bomb their one or two refineries (they have to import their own oil back as refined fuel)
    2. Interdict gasoline shipments fm other area refineries
    3. Blast their internet w/“Rise up and overthrow the mullahs” messages (think Radio Free Europe and Radio Marti)

    A’jad and mullahs gone — problem solved. Few dead.

    Report Post » Elena2010  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:09pm

      @Elena2010,

      “Here’s a quick way to take down Iran fm the inside: …”

      Our CIA started our problems with Iran, and we are continuing to cause problems, today. We think their hostilities toward us are unprovoked because our government doesn’t tell us this.

      Yes, there are insane religious people there who don’t need a legitimate reason to attack us, but a lot of their anger toward us is due to what we first did to them.

      See here.

      Is Ron Paul serious? Blowback in 1979 from a 1953 coup?
      http ://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldgbOxDX6DE

      And here.

      Closing Hormuz
      http ://lewrockwell.com/block/block193.html

      Report Post »  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:34pm

      Al true doc, but at this juncture, leaving them alone is no longer an option. Nuclear proliferation in a country that has vowed to wipe another state off the map is not a good solution.

      Taking out the gas supplies is less costly for all concerned than taking out their nuke sites. It also puts the power back into the hands of the Iranian people as opposed to the ruling elites.

      I’m all for bringing most of our troops home fm Europe and Asia. I’m also for cleaning up the mess that we and the Brits had a hand in when we swapped their socialist PM for a shah, then stood around w/our thumbs in our butts when they declared war on us by taking our diplomats hostage.

      The fact that they overran our embassy makes it a state of war betw our countries since 1979.

      Report Post » Elena2010  
    • this1can
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 11:47pm

      don’t be saying that stuff your going to make gas go up

      Report Post »  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 12:37am

      @Elena2010,

      “Al true doc, but at this juncture, leaving them alone is no longer an option. Nuclear proliferation in a country that has vowed to wipe another state off the map is not a good solution.”

      A respect for the principle of national sovereignty precludes our involvement in other peoples’ wars; and our Founders held the same non-interventionist policies as Ron Paul.

      “Taking out the gas supplies is less costly for all concerned than taking out their nuke sites. It also puts the power back into the hands of the Iranian people as opposed to the ruling elites.”

      No, war necessarily makes the state stronger. Also, they are about to bypass their central bank because of the embargoes, and start using gold; This will be very good for everyone, as a gold standard restrains government.

      “I’m all for bringing most of our troops home fm Europe and Asia. I’m also for cleaning up the mess that we and the Brits had a hand in when we swapped their socialist PM for a shah, then stood around w/our thumbs in our butts when they declared war on us by taking our diplomats hostage.”

      The attack Iran Hostage Crisis was due to our sticking our noses where it didn’t belong. They had every right to demand that we leave. Also, having bases overseas is NOT Constitutional.

      “The fact that they overran our embassy makes it a state of war betw our countries since 1979.”

      Again, the CIA started it in 1953.

      Report Post »  
  • campt1
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:21pm

    There’s the Blame Game again.

    Report Post » campt1  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 7:32am

      He did just blame the Jews. Let’s hope somebody calls him on it and makes an issue out of it.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • majasdad
      Posted on March 14, 2012 at 8:59am

      @Gonzo
      How did he “just blame the Jews”, you f–ing ******?!

      Report Post »  
  • Glenn in Virginia
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:20pm

    Gas is expensive because Obumbler has his head up his ****.

    Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:19pm

    Rush came up with a great True Stat today.
    ALL this “There is more oil being brought up , right now”

    is from permits given out ,, BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION.

    NO Permit’s ,, ZERO < ZED < NADA have been issued by president SKYROCKET

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • abwehragent
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:16pm

    Ya’ gotta give the man credit for one thing: he is consistent. Blame everyone and everything but himself. The buck stops…. never.

    Report Post » abwehragent  
  • randy
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:09pm

    Yeah Ok, Odumbo, Gas prices raising a little too high, too fast for you? Wasn’t supposed to happen until after the election? Do you really believe people, with half a brain, believe any of the cr@p coming out of your mouth any longer. You and your administration make me sick. And the first order of business I would take care of if I was elected, was to make sure you and your thugs spent a very long time in prison you commie b@stard!

    Report Post » randy  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:19pm

      Obama said:

      “The biggest driver of these high gas prices is speculation about possible war in the Middle East …”

      No. Prices are rising in terms of fiat currencies. Gas prices are high because of the Fed keeps inflating the money supply.

      See here.

      The truth about rising gas prices, the stock market, & Warren Buffett’s taxes
      (Peter Schiff)
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQYy25kLijA

      Report Post »  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:27pm

      Hi Doc — http://www.kitco.com has all the market spot prices and trends AND combines it w/what the dollar is doing. Love that site!

      Report Post » Elena2010  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:09pm

    President Obama – clueless liar and meglomaniac wrapped up in one. He lies every time his mouth opens.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • RoAdFiXeR
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:08pm

    This Mr. President is going to become your Halliburton…..

    Report Post » RoAdFiXeR  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:35pm

      I was thinking more of a metaphorical hangman’s noose.

      Stoic one  
  • possom
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 10:02pm

    No gas is expensive due to tax‘s the epa and your boot on the throat of the oil co’s and let‘s not forget your helping our enemy’s take over the oil producing countrie’s! Oh i‘m sorry I ment your relative’s take over the oil producing countrie’s!

    Report Post » possom  
  • SpeckledPup
    Posted on March 13, 2012 at 9:57pm

    that filthy communist animal can’t spin it anymore, we know he planned all of this, he‘s on tape saying so before he ever became ’president’.

    Report Post »  

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