The Irony of Oil

The Democrats should be cruising right about now. They have an energetic young presidential candidate, an unpopular President from the opposition party in the Whit House, a majority in both houses of Congress, a country weary of war and a lagging economy. So why are they on the defensive?

Recent events have changed the political paradigm in ways no one foresaw. The war in Iraq has taken a stunning turn with casualties lower in July of this year (5 from combat-related injuries and 6 from non-combat) than at any time since the invasion, their golden boy candidate has proven to be a well-funded amateur and the House and Senate have given a new definition to the moniker "do-nothing".

First the war in Iraq; I've written extensively for the last five-plus years about events in Iraq and have supported that war since the first boots were in the sand. General David Petraeus has turned defeat into an astounding victory.

Second, Sen. Barack Obama has proven to be an empty suit in spite of news coverage that would make the Pope blush. The Dem base is suffering from buyers remorse it seems.

As for Congress, Speaker Nancy Pelosi won the House on a platform of retreat and defeat in Iraq, environmental policy and a general distaste for the GOP around the country in the wake of the Abramoff and Cunningham scandals. She took over with high hopes and has led it to single-digit approval ratings.

But the one issue that has blind-sided the Democrats and has them currently reeling is oil. To them, oil is the root of all evil in the world and the GOP is beholden to those who have it: Oil companies, the Saudis, etc. The problem is that they've not taken a few simple things into account; mainly that Americans love to drive and we all have to drive. We've taken jobs 50 or 60 miles from our homes have to drive to get there. Recent spikes in gas prices have taken a serious bite out of household income and we're feeling it every time we fill up. What used to cost $40 now cost $75 and those of us who have a long commute are gassing up at least twice per week.

That said, the Pelosi-led Congress adjourned for five-weeks without taking any steps to halt the price rise and have been rightfully portrayed as downright arrogant about it. The GOP has jumped all over this issue and will continue hammering it home during the entire recess.

In other words, the biggest bogeyman in the world of Democrats has just jumped up and bit them in the ass again and may well be the deciding element in this years elections.