MN: Bachmann says Dems standing in the way of $2/gallon gas
12:21 PM
Minnesota Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann toured Alaska as part of a look at potential domestic energy sources. In a commentary piece at National Review Online, she says Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge holds "a treasure trove of energy that will yield a lot with only minimal intrusion" and that Democrats are standing in the way of energy plans that could yield "$2-a-gallon gas."
We have the resources available in areas like ANWR and Colorado to lower oil costs and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. I joined my congressional colleagues traveling 3,500 miles to investigate for ourselves and to prove that if we started drilling today, no harm would be done to the wildlife and natural beauty of our nation.The national liberal blog Talking Points Memo called Bachmann's idea "another GOP oil-drilling myth."
Congress must provide relief for American families and small businesses now. They must bring energy legislation to the floor and allow us to drill here, drill now, so that we can pay less at the pump.
Meanwhile, Democrat El Tinklenberg, Bachmann's opponent, announced his own transportation plan Monday, pushing for "a plan to put $30 billion in a one-time cash infusion into transportation needs nationwide, paid for by borrowing against future federal highway trust fund dollars and rescinding tax breaks for oil companies."
He also addressed Bachmann's Alaska trip:
"Some in the Congress are flying to the ends of the world to promote drilling for oil that would have a minuscule effect on our energy crisis," he said. "This plan would have an immediate impact on the staggering $78 billion wasted annually in time and fuel as a result of traffic congestion in our cities."In his look at the race this week, liberal MinnPost.com columnist Doug Grow says "Tinklenberg is a lot more confident than national Dems about his chances against Bachmann." But the conservative blog Let Freedom Ring says "It's wise to never underestimate your opponent but Mr. Tinklenberg's numbers simply don't look threatening. At this point, he doesn't have the look of a serious challenger."
