Government

Beck and Guests Dissect Skyrocketing Gas Prices and Obama Admin‘s ’Misleading Facts About Oil Production’

On Monday, Glenn welcomed two guests with quite a lot to say on the subject of energy prices to dissect the Obama administration’s “misleading facts about oil prodcution.” The first of these was Jack Gerard, President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute (API). The second was the founder of Cross Consulting and Services and author of the book “Secret Weapon,” Kevin Freeman:

 

(Related: Real News Contributor Matt McCall on why $5 Gas Prices Could Become a Reality)

Both men brought ample knowledge of the field to the program. Gerard has been the head of API — the foremost trade association for oil companies — since November 2008, after a long career in public service. From his bio at API’s website:

Gerard has led API since November 2008, expanding its membership and influence in all 50 states and globally, adding offices in Dubai and Singapore to its operations in Beijing, enabling API to better inform the public and policymakers on important energy issues. API‘s Washington presence is the foundation for the oil and natural gas industry’s advocacy and outreach at state, federal and global levels on public policy, standards and certification programs, and as the source for information on industry best practices.

Gerard is recognized by numerous publications and his peers as one of Washington’s most influential advocates.Washington Life magazine named him one of the city’s “Power 100” and a Fortune magazine profile said Gerard’s effort to build a 50 state advocacy network for the oil and natural gas industry was “showing signs of success” through its outreach to workers and non-traditional allies.

Prior to joining API, Gerard served as president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, and earlier held the same position at the National Mining Association. Gerard also spent close to a decade working in the U.S. Senate and House. He came to Washington in 1981, and worked for Rep. George Hansen. He also worked for Sen. James A. McClure, who chaired the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Freeman, meanwhile, runs a company known simply as Freeman Global Holdings, LLC., which operates at the global level trying to gauge world markets for clients. His book alleges that foreign countries deliberately sabotaged the United States economy. From his bio:

Kevin Freeman is considered one of the world’s leading experts on the issues of Economic Warfare and Financial Terrorism. He has consulted for and briefed members of both the U.S. House and Senate, present and past CIA, DIA, FBI, SEC, Homeland Security, the Justice Department, as well as local and state law enforcement. He has traveled extensively with research trips to Russia and China and throughout Europe and the Americas.

Glenn opened the segment with a quote from Energy Secretary Steven Chu that gas prices should be “boosted” to the level of Europe (around $10/gallon now). He then segued into speaking with Gerard about the effects of Obama administration policies on the energy market. Specifically, Glenn pushed Gerard on the topic of why oil imports have decreased in the United States, as President Obama trumpeted in a recent weekly address. Gerard’s response is below:

That’s factually correct, but let me tell you why it’s misleading. The reason our imports are down is because demand in the United States has dropped significantly because of the recession. So either the President is impliedly taking credit for the downturn in the economy or he’s taking credit for the increase in domestic production, which is what we in the industry have done on state and private land.

Comments (107)

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  • Razorhunters
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 5:08am

    beck distracted all away from the eligiblity…

    we could have rid ourselves of the treason and sedition 3+ yrs ago.

    could have actually helped our country.

    dam shame.

    Report Post » Razorhunters  
  • anOpinion
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 5:01am

    The solutions are many are are available (e.g. http://wattenburg.us/natgas.html)

    … but, Obama & the czars don’t want a solution, in their view, everything is nicely going to plan.

    Report Post » anOpinion  
  • Razorhunters
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 4:21am

    amazing isnt it…like nobody cares.

    Report Post » Razorhunters  
  • Razorhunters
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 4:18am

    go back to the 70′s…look at what the powers that be said back then.
    it is a shell game, it is regulations, it is not using our own dam resources…it is bs.

    search for yourselves.
    tired of doing it.

    Report Post » Razorhunters  
  • nowhereman
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 2:51am

    Why are we EXPORTING gasoline at record rates?
    http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2012/0223/As-gas-prices-rise-should-US-oil-industry-stop-exporting?

    Report Post » nowhereman  
    • Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 2:59am

      Has ZERO effect on the “WORLD” oil prices….which is what “we” have to pay for the price of oil.

      Report Post »  
    • Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 3:02am

      That would be the same as thinking GM would be selling cheaper cars here if they didn’t export any to foreign countries….

      Report Post »  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 6:33am

      @Nowhereman…That is a Progressive Bill OReily argument. Its is as stupid as the day is long. Just mention that we are going to drill baby drill and open up drilling everywhere the price will drop like a rock because of SPECULATION.

      Your argument does not hold water.

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • saranda
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 9:32am

      @badoggy – and where will all this new oil be refined? Refineries are running at capacity as it is. The XL line will bring Canadian/some North Dakota oil to the Gulf coast so they can get better prices not lower prices, and it gives them access to ship offshore.
      We need to increase refinery capacity before we do the naive “drill baby drill” chant.

      Report Post »  
  • Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 2:43am

    So let’s see….Glenn and his cohorts want you to believe that “Only if we had more supply, it would fix the problem”

    Does anyone remember who we had as President from waaaay back in 2000-2008? Wasn’t him and his VP the “biggest oil cronies” ever made? Ask yourself, with the Bush/Cheney’s ties to the oil market, don’t ya think if the solution was that simple, he would have exploded the amount of oil supply during his term? At least Obama’s out in the open promoting his green crap while having the leading producer and biggest beneficiary of his green crap as his chief economic adviser.

    However, what Obama isn’t telling you that the main reason for the “green” energy promotion is because of the IMMEDIATE threat to the collapse of our dollar. That is why, Saddam was taken out, Qaddafi was taken out, and now the promoting of striking Iran. All 3 countries were/are actively moving towards their oil to no longer be purchased with U.S. dollar which our economy depends on. Our past congress has spent us into devastating debt and the Middle East is tired of seeing the value of oil being decreased because the Congress is decreasing the value of the dollar. Every time a Middle East leader moves towards this we (the U.S.) remove that person from power….The ACTUAL PROBLEM never gets solved, just moved to a different nation that is trying to look out for their own interest….Around Mar. 20th will be the next war here is the proof >> http://americanfreepress.net/

    Report Post »  
    • drt054
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 4:27am

      yeah.. I also remember that when Bush left office in 2008/2009 we were paying $1.78/gallon.. it is $3.79 now.. explain that!!! Shut your mouth since you know nothing.. Your savior OBAMA has spent us into debt not our Congress since Obama doesn’t acknowledge the US Congress since it chooses to completely ignore the U.S. Constitution.. You know nothing..

      Report Post »  
    • Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 7:11am

      You are a moron, 1st Can’t stand Obama, 2nd Can’t Stand Bush 3rd People like yourself who claim “oh it‘s the other party’s fault” IS THE PROBLEM. 4. Once you learn anything in regards to Fractional Reserve Banking, Austrian Economics, or how the current monetary system works, then come with solutions, until then…..5. You shut yo’ mouf fool!

      Report Post »  
    • Coralchristie
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 7:55am

      Obama is promoting the “green crap” by spending our money on now failed green energy projects. He’s bankrupting the country with his spending and increasing contention with his class warfare politics. Don’t try to tell me that he inherited a big problem…he is the bigger problem. If the government had done nothing in the face of the challenges as did Coolidge, we would be prospering by this time. It’s time to stop drinking the “Obama Kool-aid” and study real history for the truth of what’s happening (on the right and the left).

      Report Post »  
    • D-Fence
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 8:47am

      Um, jerkweed gas was $1.78 per gallon when your socialist took over. The beauty of blogging is that you will never have to show your face when you make stupid comments. You want my address? No problem, just come on down to Tampa and I’ll kick your arse.

      Report Post » D-Fence  
    • Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 10:03am

      @ CoralChristie & D-Fence….. Maybe, just maybe you should read the entire thread and you may see my reply to drt054 which applies to both of you as well. As for D-Fence now maybe you might look in the mirror as to your comment….

      Report Post »  
    • Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 10:12am

      Also D-Fence Brad Paisley wrote a song for you….so much cooler online….

      Report Post »  
    • pbrenda51
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 10:43am

      When gas was $4. summer of 2008, the media was SCREAMING……now it is right below that, and media has all kinds of excuses for Odummer…….I believe it will go higher yet, but probably go down in the fall before elections……how does that happen? Just watch and quit worshipping your Odummer…..he is simply a communist man, nothing more

      Report Post »  
    • Questionman
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 6:06pm

      @PBrenda51, Obama is not a communist. He was/is a CIA operative working for his elite masters to establish the fascist New World Order. Just Kidding. But

      More pertinent, given that Obama is not in the least a communist, and–to judge by his actions in office–barely even left of center, (if at all), why would you assume there would or should be any uprisings?

      Obama has shown absolutely NO communist properties. He is a fascist.

      And you’re a just a racist!

       
    • Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 6:15pm

      @ Questionman Since Brenda mentioned nothing about Obama’s race in her comment, Yet you are the one who brings it up means you are the Racist….

      Report Post »  
  • ssbstspd
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 2:24am

    everyone especialy the liberals use to world market as the excuse. now from what i remeber it was the ds and the liberals who pushed this whole world market on us over the past 20 years. before that we the US was the world market. Something is up i feel the fix is in. times are tuff but will most likely get worse and i mean way worse before anything gets better. Next time you see an Obama dumbbo thank him for the state we are in. Because even if this is not all 100 percent Obamas fault, it is at least 90 percent demon-crats fault. and guess who voted for them ? yes those damm useless Obama voters.

    Report Post » ssbstspd  
  • ThirtyEightWinks
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:45am

    I don’t blame speculators, I blame politicians. Take a look at gasbuddy.com for a map of average gas price in each county in the US. California’s gas price is about $0.50 more than neighboring Nevada and Arizona. That’s not caused by Wall Street Speculators, and it is not caused by supply and demand. It is caused by California’s politicians wrecking their own state. I live in Colorado. The local gas stations have just gone up to $3.15. It’s not nice to gloat.

    http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx

    Report Post »  
  • KidCharlemagne
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:08am

    The U.S. retail price of gasoline is currently resting near a historic low point (so don’t complain about high gas prices):

    ————————
    “This chart shows the retail price of gasoline in the US, given as mg of gold per gallon of gas. It is based on an average price for all grades of gas in all areas of the country, sampled weekly by the Department of Energy.

    Prices for gasoline were fairly steady from 1995 to 2008, varying from 100 to 200 mg, and averaging about 130 mg. In 2008, as the economy collapsed, gas prices fell to a new low of 59 mg, and remain around 65 mg today. Yet over the time period covered by this chart, the dollar prices of gas have gone from about $1.00 per gallon to over $3.00 per gallon.

    Rather than complaining about high fuel prices, you should realize that fuel prices are near their historic lows!”
    http://pricedingold.com/us-retail-gasoline/

    Report Post »  
    • aChameleon
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 2:06am

      Gas was $1.80 when o-blah-blah got elected. It’s double that now. 100% increase in 3 1/2 years.

      Report Post » aChameleon  
    • Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 2:47am

      @ aChameleon The U.S. Debt has almost doubled too, see the similarity/s in the price of gas and the value of the U.S. dollar?

      Report Post »  
    • primefocus
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 4:33pm

      I may not be very smart, but all I know is that I drive a van around doing service calls. The service calls pay the same, the gas goes up and I have a lot less money in my pocket and the money that I do have is not worth as much as it use to be. Soon I will have to go out of business because I won’t be able to afford the gas or the van will just crap out on me because I am having to put off maintenance because of the high gas prices etc. etc.etc.

      Report Post »  
    • financemanager
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 5:29pm

      We’re not on the gold standard!! FinanceMgr

      Report Post »  
  • aChameleon
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:17am

    O-blah-blah has been the best thing to happen to gun sales ever. He’s gonna be the best thing to happen to domestic oil drilling too. Open up ANWR, the Gulf, and the Keystone pipeline. He just has the midas touch. Come November, Drill baby Drill !

    Report Post » aChameleon  
  • portague
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:06am

    its not just a domestic problem its world deal if world demand is up even though US demand has lowered prices will go up. We have to look at it from a world market not just a US dmarket. The us being completly out of the east an not needing their oil would cause some price pressure downwards. The advancment of the pipe line could of save a lot of money in the long haul due to decreased shipment costs of up 40$ a barrel by some esstimates.If we got serious about opening up our resources we could be a major exporter instead.This would make gas even if they went up less of a concern due to a stronger economy. Another problem is the debasing of US currency as well.

    Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:51pm

    Simpleton
    Just how much was gas in Holland in 1630???

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • spreadcommonsensenot pc
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:47pm

    OK O-blabber-mouth lies——hes a liar—-MOST things that comes out of his “political” mouth is a
    lie and slanted towards his marxist moaist, anti-colonial(daddy) viewpoint………..

    look at soros and his “speculative minions” please………….this turd needs to be flushed…

    Report Post »  
  • SimpleTruths
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:39pm

    Speculators are not a problem? Ever hear of Holland, circa 1630′s? Look it up.

    Report Post » SimpleTruths  
  • broker0101
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:37pm

    And, in His final analysis, Beck asserted that, while the Earth may not be flat again YET, it soon would be.

    Report Post » broker0101  
  • Muddywood
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:28pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXei0Zb3dxM&list=FL2b0W-JXbYepgDFt2ta70sA&feature=mh_lolz

    We are being judged as a nation and God is not far from pulling His protection from us.
    Watch the video. These attacks from our enemies are not a coincidence. There are too many events for it to be coincidence.

    Isaiah 9:10 – 9:11

    Report Post » Muddywood  
  • aChameleon
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:26pm

    After o-blah-blah gets gas prices up to $5, he’ll blame big oil or Bush. I’m not psychic either.

    Report Post » aChameleon  
    • cloudsofwar
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 8:32am

      no his target of blame now is Wall Street. that plays well with his OWS mobs.

      Report Post »  
  • JJohnGalt2
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:23pm

    “Glenn Beck Screwed the Pooch.” — Andrew Breitbart

    Report Post »  
  • seeker9
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:19pm

    @We are Americans
    Specultors serve a useful purpose in that they give the oil users a specific price for a specific time. The user, be it airlines or whatever, gets an acceptable price and the speculator assumes the risk of increasing prices. The higher the risk, the higher the price. It is not all speculators or captilalism fault.

    Report Post » seeker9  
  • MCDAVE
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:14pm

    Obama has held this nation hostage to foreign oil..We have our own ,The Braken oil fields is a huge strike…Drill and build pipelines and we can put this middle east nightmare behind us..get the politicians out of the oil business they only hurt us..Cheap energy fuels prosperity..Obama hates America..

    Report Post »  
    • Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 2:54am

      George Bush had 2/3 of the amount of time needed by Glenn’s “experts” to create enough supply to be energy independent. I’m not an Obama supporter but under your logic of the Left versus Right game you would have to apply the same criticism to Bush as we are not 2/3′s of the way closer to that objective (And he was the supposed “oil guy”). However, if you would look at the true cause, it’s directly tied to the value of the currency.

      Report Post »  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 9:00am

      @BOYCOTT…I never said George Bush was any better,,the problem is in both parties,and I post all the time Reelect nobody..Until we get people who truly care about our country we are forced to vote for the lesser of two evils…looks like 2012 elections will be no different.

      Report Post »  
    • Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 10:15am

      That wasn’t what you implied when you stated “Obama has held this country hostage to foreign oil”….I agree both parties have held us hostage…

      Report Post »  
  • drhunt
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:06pm

    BO wants it both ways. Sorry…doesn’t work that way. Besides, he’s got MUCH bigger problems to deal with, anyway. Watch out as water is the next oil…a “commodity” that will be politicized and used as a bargaining tool. It already is here in California.

    Report Post » drhunt  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:28pm

      BHO takes credit for accomplishments he had nothing to do with and blames others for his failures..Only lies and deceptions come from his mouth..he is a pathetic excuse for a man.

      Report Post »  
  • We are Americans
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 11:05pm

    So this guy is saying oil production is up
    in the states? Kinda throws drill baby drill out
    the window. Supply is fine. Speculators are
    driving the price up. Free market. Everybody
    likes capitalism until their paying 4 bucks a gallon.

    Report Post »  
  • americansfightingforcommonsense
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:57pm

    I would say the second option of the two. He has, is, and will try to bring down our economy in every possible way. The POTUS does not like capitalism or the people having their rights given to them by GOD. He will continue to attack the businessmen and their religion, because he can’t CONTROL either of them and needs to if he is going to crown himself KING.

    Report Post » americansfightingforcommonsense  
    • Boycott the Media Let the People Decide
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 2:57am

      Obama is responsible AND so is the “conservative” republicans who have spent our currency to make it worthless, now foreign nations want no part of the oil market being solely tied to the U.S. Dollar.

      Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:56pm

    OK, so Obama lies; can we fire him this year? That would be the best way forward.

    Report Post »  
  • Mattyboy
    Posted on March 5, 2012 at 10:48pm

    Oil will be the spoil.

    Report Post »  
    • SANE_I think
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 7:54am

      What is happening now with “world oil supply” is all about avoiding war! We have all we need here in the U S. But most countries do not. If we kept OUR oill just for us, would only be a matter of time before China or ? takes control of the middle east dragging the world into war. JMO

      Report Post »  
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