A couple of readers have made this point. Thank goodness the Dems didn’t get there way when they wanted the Strategic Petroleum Reserve opened-up just to pander to voters’ angst over high prices.
(Actually, I’ve never understood why the Democrats ever want to release oil from the reserve to lower prices even as they demand a higher gas tax which would raise prices).
The SPR — which won’t have that much of an effect on gas prices anyway, it should be noted — is for emergencies, much like what we have now. The need to score cheap points in the press isn’t an emergency. And its a good thing Bush stood up to the demands at the time.