I'm Slightly Mad at President Bush

The AP has a news story today entitled, Bush to Congress: Embrace energy exploration now. The gist of the story is as follows:

"With gasoline topping $4 a gallon, President Bush urged Congress on Wednesday to lift its long-standing ban on offshore oil and gas drilling, saying the United States needs to increase its energy production. Democrats quickly rejected the idea. "

Bush has a good response to the environmental alarmists. The article states: "In a nod to the environmental arguments against drilling, Bush said technology has come a long way. These days, he said, oil exploration off the coastline can be done in a way that 'is out of sight, protects coral reefs and habitats, and protects against oil spills.'"

But here's the problem: Bush does not have to grovel before Congress to permit offshore drilling. It was an executive order that put the ban into place. (Bush, Sr. did this in 1990). And it's an executive order that can remove it.

But Bush doesn't want to do this. Here's more of the article: "What the president now proposes would rescind his father's decision — but the president took the position that Congress has to act first and then he would follow behind. Asked why Bush doesn't act first and lift the ban, Keith Hennessey, the director of the president's economic council, said: 'He thinks that probably the most productive way to work with this Congress is to try to do it in tandem'" (emphasis mine).

Excuse me?! First of all, it's obviously not the most productive way, Mr. President. You asked Congress to permit offshore drilling, and it said "no."

Second, when has Congress stopped Bush before? Bush has a reputation as an imperial President. His opponents have often accused him of just ignoring Congress and doing what he wants, primarily on issues of national security and foreign policy. So why's he suddenly want to "work" with Congress?

This President talks a good game, but he's obviously not willing to take the necessary action to bring down these rising gas prices, which are hurting so many consumers. Maybe he's trying to make the Democrats look bad. In my mind, the one who comes out looking bad is him.