Dana Perino: Media Blamed Bush for High Gas Prices But Gives Obama a Pass

By Doug Powers  •  February 20, 2012 01:36 PM

**Written by Doug Powers

Former Bush Press Secretary Dana Perino has noticed the press handling their duties differently when it comes to reporting high gas prices. This isn’t surprising. Back when it was clear the MSM was in the tank for Obama, there was no reason to assume that wouldn’t also include the gas tank:

“Do you see a complete difference in the way we’re looking at it now?” anchor Gretchen Carlson asked Perino.

“Sure, because if you look at that commentary, the gas prices we’re dealing with now have been more gradual. When it’s more — when it happens over a month or two-month long period — that hurts more. Families adjust when it’s gradual. All of a sudden the media is talking about the laws of supply and demand and putting things in context. When President Bush was President, they talked about oil speculators. Who were friends of President Bush? They would put it together like that.”

Perino criticized The New York Times for pushing the narrative as Gas Prices Give Republicans Something To Attack, rather than framing it as Obama’s problem. “The GOP is now going to attack him!” Perino exclaimed. “This good man who has done nothing wrong!”

Duelin’ headlines:

NYT March 2011 ($3.57 a gallon): US better prepared for rising gas costs

NYT August 2005 ($2.55 a gallon): Economy shows signs of strain from oil prices

*****

Another example can be found in this CNN piece from last year:

Washington (CNN) – President Barack Obama confronted two political realities this week:

– Rising gas prices are bad for a politician’s poll numbers

– There is almost nothing a politician can do about it, at least in the short run.

Compare that to this CNN article from mid-2008 entitled “President, Congress offer no immediate help on gas prices”:

“A lot of Americans are concerned about our economy,” Bush said. “I can understand why. Gasoline prices are high, energy prices are high. I do remind them that we have put a stimulus package forward that is expected to help boost the economy. And of course, we’ll be monitoring the situation.”

Americans are looking for more action, though, than monitoring the situation.

No mention back then that there’s almost nothing a politician can do about gas prices in the short run?

In 2008, ABC News reported that Bush was “in the dark” about gas prices:

While I’ve found plenty of ABC articles about high has prices hurting Obama’s approval rating, I’ve yet to run across one that flat out calls him clueless or implies that he just doesn’t care.

According to Newsbusters, network newscasts linked Bush to “skyrocketing” gas prices 15 times more than Obama.

But it wasn’t just the media. Here’s then Speaker Pelosi during the Bush presidency when gas prices got to be over $3 a gallon. Back then it was the fault of reckless administration policies from those two oil men in the White House:


*****

Here’s Perino talking about it on Fox News:

**Written by Doug Powers

Twitter @ThePowersThatBe

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Comments


  1. #1
    On February 20th, 2012 at 1:44 pm, Flyoverman said:

    Oh please……….

    What would the MSM not give Obama a pass on?

    Nothing new or newsworthy here. SSDD.

  2. #2
    On February 20th, 2012 at 1:44 pm, letget said:

    Bush bad pre msm. bho has not one single bad bone in his skinny body and every single thing bho has done make multiple thrills up and down the legs, per bhopress!
    L

  3. #3
    On February 20th, 2012 at 1:47 pm, sbw999 said:

    Nothing unexpected at all. The dem socialist party and our North Korea style mainstream media are synonymous.

  4. #4
    On February 20th, 2012 at 1:47 pm, Vntnrse said:

    As for me, I know Bush cared at least a little about what the public (the unwashed masses) thought of him, whereas I know for a certainty that Obama could not care less! Obama WANTS to destroy the USA!

  5. #5
    On February 20th, 2012 at 1:53 pm, Jvette said:

    LOL, so what’s new?

  6. #6
    On February 20th, 2012 at 1:56 pm, cabrerski said:

    Well, duh!!!!

    Somebody hold a mirror next to the Republican party’s nose. See if the apparent corpse is actually breathing.

  7. #7
    On February 20th, 2012 at 1:56 pm, orlandocajun said:

    When you think of the numerous disastrous things that Obama has done, and realize that he hasn’t been criticized by the MSM even once in three years, you get a feel for the scope of their complicity in Obama’s destruction of America agenda.

  8. #8
    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:00 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Hey, nobody told Obama how bad the economy was. And to show you he understands your pain, his family is spending the weekend skiing instead of driving. Besides, the $1.61 gas price at the end of 2008 was just a George Bush trick to make Obama look bad when his policies inevitably drove prices to $4.35. Hey, nobody told Obama how economics works. It’s not his fault. Cheney is sitting in front of the gas price console, pulling the levers that make gas more expensive…And gas going up 270% does not mean inflation is on the rise – we here at CPI Central don’t count food, fuel or anything else that actually affects your life in the cost of living.

  9. #9
    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:01 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    What would the MSM not give Obama a pass on?

    Diane Sawyer has volunteered to fart twice as much, just to give him a pass on gas.

  10. #10
    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:06 pm, cabrerski said:

    The new Obama strategy…it’s all George Washington’s fault. After all, he started it all, didn’t he?

  11. #11
    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:09 pm, tone said:

    I said it in the other thread and I’ll say it here. The communists in charge of commanding the economy will ensure that gas prices are on a decreasing trend come fall. They have many tools at their disposal, and only a fool would believe they don’t have the power to manipulate gas prices at this point. Underestimate this criminal communist regime at your own peril. It can happen here, and it is happening here. Wake up, Baby Boomers, this isn’t America anymore.

  12. #12
    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:11 pm, rambler said:

    The media gets away with the double standard because both parties allow it. The dems have lied so much they haven’t a clue what the truth is and the GOP caves and slinks away from every confrontation. Pelosi has a bigger spine and crys less than the weepy-eyed invertebrate speaker we have now. We’re getting no where fast. The dems make up the facts to support their narrative and the GOP lets everything stand as long as everyone keeps their jobs. The media is headed for the trash pile of history because they support a losing narrative. FOX caved to the wishes of Soros. At this point, why does any voter bother to listen to the media propaganda mills? There is no truth to be found there.

  13. #13
    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:22 pm, cabrerski said:

    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:11 pm, rambler said:
    The media gets away with the double standard because both parties allow it.

    A prominent Democrat openly confesses to sexual relations with goats and chickens at a press conference. He also claims that he will not stop and is seeking re-election.

    NTY headline: “Dem Senator Campaigns to Give All to Animals in Next Term.”

  14. #14
    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:26 pm, cabrerski said:

    Sorry, “NYT headline…” (edit, me boy, edit – that is what the preview function is for)

  15. #15
    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:45 pm, gus said:

    Can’t we just get back to talking about this WONDERFUL FREE CONTRACEPTION again.

  16. #16
    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:57 pm, Mister P said:

    Well Bushes policies lead us to Obama, so lets not let Bush off the hook. Dana Perino is loyal to her ex-boss, but where was Bush when Obama and his marxism burst upon the scene, and where is Bush today.

  17. #17
    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:59 pm, Mister P said:

    Pelosi has a bigger spine and crys less than the weepy-eyed invertebrate speaker we have now.

    Just compare the treatment of Pelosi to the treatment of Palin (even by Republicans).

  18. #18
    On February 20th, 2012 at 3:08 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    whereas I know for a certainty that Obama could not care less! Obama WANTS to destroy the USA!

    Au contraire! Obama really does care what the unwashed masses think of him! He truly despises all ho oppose him! In fact during his second term, he’s had a list compiled of those who have disagreed with him, insulted him, and worked to disobey his every decree.

    Re-education camps or worse are in store for them.

  19. #19
    On February 20th, 2012 at 3:10 pm, Captain Blasto said:

    Bush crumbled when he lost the Congress in ’06 due to overspending Republicans.
    I will never forgive him for bailing on America instead of redoubling his efforts. I consider his tail-between-the-legs attitude as heinous as the Marxist in the White House’s.

  20. #20
    On February 20th, 2012 at 3:16 pm, letget said:

    Why IS IT that when any person on the staff or those running says something true about bho, the next words out of their mouth is ‘I APOLOGIZE’ for telling the truth about bho? If any person running or their staff stood by their words, can you imagine how many American’s would vote for said person? This is just another expample of caving as to not tick off bho and get the bhopress after those running. Gads to goodness, STAND YOUR GROUND ON bho people!

    http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/73084.html
    L

  21. #21
    On February 20th, 2012 at 3:16 pm, Republicanvet said:

    Gas prices have been over $3 a gallon for such a long time under Urkels watch I was shocked when I paid $2.98 a gallon today here in Grand Junction, CO.

  22. #22
    On February 20th, 2012 at 3:20 pm, Iowa Guy said:

    With the drilling moratorium and buddying up to Brazil…BHO has no intention of trying to drive the gas prices lower. He knows the MSM will give him a pass on this too.

  23. #23
    On February 20th, 2012 at 3:25 pm, regularguy said:

    Media pass aside, it’ll be hard to avoid the price at the pump or high utility bills, even for those who are blind followers of Dear Leader. Even so, Dear Leader is handing a multitude of issues to conservatives on a silver platter; it would be beyond human understanding for the nominee not to use them all against Obama.

  24. #24
    On February 20th, 2012 at 3:28 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Obowmao (singing):
    I was born in a cross-fire hurricane
    And I howled at my ma in the driving rain,
    But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas!
    But it’s all right. Im jumpin jack flash,
    Its a gas! gas! gas!

    I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag,
    I was schooled with a strap right across my back,
    But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas!
    But it’s all right, Im jumpin jack flash,
    Its a gas! gas! gas!

    I was drowned, I was washed up and left for dead.
    I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled.
    I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread.
    Yeah, yeah, yeah
    I was crowned with a spike right thru my head.
    But it’s all right now, in fact, it’s a gas!
    But it’s all right, Im jumpin jack flash,
    Its a gas! gas! gas!

    Jumping jack flash, it’s a gas
    Jumping jack flash, it’s a gas
    Jumping jack flash, it’s a gas
    Jumping jack flash, it’s a gas
    Jumping jack flash

  25. #25
    On February 20th, 2012 at 3:39 pm, AmericanGirl30 said:

    If only the Republicans would loudly and consistently hammer on the facts of all Obama has done to cripple our energy supplies, they could counter this MSM narrative.

    Unfortunately, there is no chance of that happening in the Gutless Old Party.

  26. #26
    On February 20th, 2012 at 3:50 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Will America EVER wake up to what the media is doing? How dumb can people get???

    It is really PAST time for the Tea Party to picket outside major media headquarters. Huge signs…hypocricy, double standard, unfair, unbalanced reporting, corruption, Obama’s spokespeople, etc. AND, make sure it is covered by FOX and bloggers!!

    I saw a picture the other day, can’t remember where, but it was an arial view of the DC Mall with hundreds of thousands of people there. It could only have been Glen Beck’s 9/12 Restoring Honor gathering! There hasn’t been one like that in recent memory. So what was the caption? “A gathering at the DC Mall”. That is all. Like ALL the gatherings are like that one! I was so angry seeing that and no credit given to the group it represented!! The media MUST be brought down. I blame them for the fact that we even have Obama as POTUS. They distorted his past and fooled the American People, and in doing so, are bringing down this country.

    When will this be called what it truly is…TREASON??

  27. #27
    On February 20th, 2012 at 4:01 pm, jegjr said:

    Didn’t you get the memo sent out 12 years ago… EVERYTHING is Bush’s fault! (still)

  28. #28
    On February 20th, 2012 at 4:08 pm, sonerai32645 said:

    If Bush had really pushed drilling, it would have NOT been a problem for him

  29. #29
    On February 20th, 2012 at 4:22 pm, thejim said:

    If only the Republicans would loudly and consistently hammer on the facts of all Obama has done to cripple our energy supplies, they could counter this MSM narrative

    I have the uncomfortable feeling that the GOP is part of the effort to destroy the country; therefore, one should not look for them to speak up against the MSM onslaught, let alone hammer anything.

  30. #30
    On February 20th, 2012 at 4:25 pm, right_on said:

    Dana Perino: Media Blamed Bush for High Gas Prices But Gives Obama a Pass

    Why would we expect anything less?

    Gads to goodness, STAND YOUR GROUND ON bho people!

    Moderates, moderate…conservatives are conservators of freedom.

    If you say you’re a conservative, but take back your opinion when others disagree with you, here’s a news flash….you’re NOT a conservative, you’re a moderate. It can’t be any simpler than that.

    When the truth is on your side, provably, there is no reason in this world for you to apologize, or back track on an opinion.

  31. #31
    On February 20th, 2012 at 4:41 pm, thesouse said:

    Perino and Carlson… *sigh*

  32. #32
    On February 20th, 2012 at 4:49 pm, Blackstone said:

    What? You gotta be kidding me. Bush had a press secretary who knew how to fight back at the media? How come we didn’t hear more from her when he was president?

  33. #33
    On February 20th, 2012 at 4:58 pm, sb36695 said:

    Whatever it takes to get rid of Obama!

  34. #34
    On February 20th, 2012 at 5:17 pm, Hangfire said:

    Since Kennedy, the MSM (LSM?) has given the Socialist Party a free pass.

    Liberal Media : Democrat Party :: Sinn Fein : Irish Republican Army

  35. #35
    On February 20th, 2012 at 5:45 pm, ITookTheRedPill said:

    U.S. city average price of unleaded regular gasoline

    January 2008: $3.047 per gallon

    July 2008: $4.090 per gallon

    December 2008: $1.689 per gallon

    Source

    Current Average: $3.565 per gallon

    The actions of President Bush in July 2008 and Congress in September 2008 caused the price of gas to drop almost 60% in less than 4 months.

    The actions of pResident Obama have caused prices to go back up.

    The current average is 17% higher than the January 2008 average. If the same trend happens this year as did in 2008, we’ll be paying $4.77/gal by July. And Obama won’t open up drilling like Bush did in 2008, so we won’t see the 60% drop in prices from September to December.

  36. #36
    On February 20th, 2012 at 5:58 pm, NC BLUE said:

    Hey #31 thesouse. Obama-PUKE. This sockpuppet has ruined our country. So stick your sigh where the sun don’t shine.

  37. #37
    On February 20th, 2012 at 6:05 pm, swmntman said:

    I don’t agree. I think President Obama has done his best to keep gas prices down. How else can you justify putting millions more on unemployment? If they don’t have to drive to work they aren’t using gas, price goes down, etc. (do I have to put the /sarc tag on this or are we good?)

  38. #38
    On February 20th, 2012 at 6:56 pm, Hannibal said:

    If gas goes to $6.00, do you think drive-by shootings will decrease?

  39. #39
    On February 20th, 2012 at 7:04 pm, docflash said:

    I just heard Diane Sawyer on whatever network she is with blaming gas prices on Iran.How much oil do we import from Iran?

  40. #40
    On February 20th, 2012 at 8:13 pm, Hangfire said:

    On February 20th, 2012 at 6:05 pm, swmntman said:

    We g-good!

  41. #41
    On February 20th, 2012 at 8:54 pm, WaterBoyz said:

    On February 20, 2012 at 07:04 PM, docflash said:
    I just heard Diane Sawyer on whatever network she is with blaming gas prices on Iran.How much oil do we import from Iran?

    We get very little from them. They are messing with the stability in the region which affects other countries more than us. But since the price is based on the World market we have go with the ride.

    Most of our oil comes from Canada.

  42. #42
    On February 20th, 2012 at 9:33 pm, VladimirJones said:

    Typical of the Dems. Back in early 2000, when the dot-com bubble burst was making itself known, and gas prices had climbed above $2.00 for the first time ever in California, Gore claimed that it was “Bush’s oil buddies” who where pushing the gas prices higher to build negative pressure against Gore’s campaign. This and Clinton’s saying the Republicans were “talking down the economy” to explain the market decline were just two things the Dems used, and the pressed looked the other way.

    Of course, Kerry followed suit in 2004 by claiming Nixon had sent him on a secret mission in Cambodia during 1968 – even though Nixon was not yet elected and wouldn’t serve until 1969. Dems push their delusions and the press shrugs.

  43. #43
    On February 20th, 2012 at 9:52 pm, ChapBix said:

    #15. On February 20th, 2012 at 2:45 pm, gus said:

    Can’t we just get back to talking about this WONDERFUL FREE CONTRACEPTION again.

    Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the libtards and regressives contracepted themselves out of existence?

  44. #44
    On February 20th, 2012 at 10:14 pm, ChapBix said:

    #21. On February 20th, 2012 at 3:16 pm, Republicanvet said:

    Gasoline went to $3.37 today here in northeast Missouri after being at $3.29 for close to a week.

  45. #45
    On February 20th, 2012 at 10:26 pm, ChapBix said:

    #37. On February 20th, 2012 at 6:05 pm, swmntman said:

    I don’t agree. I think President Obama has done his best to keep gas prices down. How else can you justify putting millions more on unemployment? If they don’t have to drive to work they aren’t using gas, price goes down, etc. (do I have to put the /sarc tag on this or are we good?)

    Wouldn’t they be driving more, at least in the weeks after becoming unemployed, as they drive from one place to another trying to find work?

  46. #46
    On February 20th, 2012 at 11:23 pm, prendad said:

    Nothing but crickets chirping when it comes to crony deals, skyrocketing gas prices, phony Solendra, and, oh, don’t even mention Barack or Michelle on vacation. That is a NO NO. Yes America, the lame stream media is our Pravda. Nothing gets reported unless it glorifies the government and/or slam-dunks any opposition.

  47. #47
    On February 20th, 2012 at 11:23 pm, gmatt2003 said:

    Santorum on Hannity tonight says he is talking about Energy issues, but the MSM is only reporting on his “social” issues.

    Ignore the MSM, people.

    Santorum is an Energy “Hawk”. He’s for opening up the USA’s resources for the USA, and building the Keystone Pipeline.

    Believe-it-or-not, coal is the most efficient energy resource we have now, along with natural gas, and Santorum comes from Coal-Country, so he knows what he’s talking about.

    I can’t quote Santorum directly, but I think he also favors more nuclear energy here in the USA.

    More than Mitt, Newt, or Ron, Santorum is talking about the real solutions to our Energy issues.

    I’m gmatt, and I approved this message.

  48. #48
    On February 20th, 2012 at 11:32 pm, prendad said:

    And then, on this Sunday’s Meet The Press, I thought David Gregory was going to bring our a whip and go after Santorum physically. He insulted him, mocked him, gave him looks like he was insane, even brought his dying child into the argument saying it was stillborn. The whole thing made me want to puke. This is objective journalism?

  49. #49
    On February 20th, 2012 at 11:36 pm, gmatt2003 said:

    p.s. She’s not as pretty as my wife, or Michelle Malkin, of course, but Dana Perino is somewhat good-looking, for those of you who don’t watch “The Five” on FoxNews.

  50. #50
    On February 20th, 2012 at 11:48 pm, gmatt2003 said:

    @prendad, didn’t know Santorum was going to be on “Meet the Depressed” , as Rush says – glad I missed it, as usual – I might have thrown a rock through the screen.

    My sister had a stillborn baby, and she says it was a blessing that she got to hold him for awhile before they took him away. They held a memorial service for him at their house, which she said very much helped her to heal spiritually.

    The David Gregory’s of this world are pathetic fools, with no sympathetic human instincts.

  51. #51
    On February 21st, 2012 at 1:11 am, theloneranger said:

    The Media has killed itself.

  52. #52
    On February 21st, 2012 at 3:46 am, rocketman said:

    ***
    I disagree with Dana Perino’s “the press is handling their duties differently” statement. The American Pravda Media is doing the same job they always do and have always done–with very few exceptions. Carrying water for and covering up any damaging for liberals news, and denigrating any conservatives when the chance occurs. Every so often their “objectivity” mask slips and we get more Chris Matthew “leg tingle” moments and “our” candidate references from these “impartial reporters”.
    ***
    No facts needed–the 2004 demonstrably false Dan Rather / Mary Mapes “news” on President George Bush 43′s Air Force service was a prime example. They tried to ignore and stonewall for 3 weeks as it became obvious to all that there was no truth to the story. Just another funny “coinkidink” that it came out a few months before the general election.
    ***
    And our liberal / socialist / statist / marxist / communist Gubmint regulators, congress critters, and senators just can’t wait to shut down the few real news outlets–Fox T.V., conservative talk radio, and conservative Internet web sites like this one. “Fairness” my patootie!
    ***
    John Bibb
    ***

  53. #53
    On February 21st, 2012 at 11:53 am, RedDog said:

    On February 20th, 2012 at 3:10 pm, Captain Blasto said:
    Bush crumbled when he lost the Congress in ’06 due to overspending Republicans….

    On February 20th, 2012 at 4:08 pm, sonerai32645 said:
    If Bush had really pushed drilling, it would have NOT been a problem for him…

    On February 20th, 2012 at 4:22 pm, thejim said:
    …I have the uncomfortable feeling that the GOP is part of the effort to destroy the country; therefore, one should not look for them to speak up …

    Uncomfortable feeling indeed. At a minimum, the RINO GOP is simply content to go along for the ride. Are they complicit? I hope not, for their sake.

    Boehner was more credible than Blinky Pelosi in his denial of insider trading, but they are all dirty.

  54. #54
    On February 21st, 2012 at 11:55 am, RedDog said:

    Ai chihuahua, Dana is very kissable. Apologies to the wife.

  55. #55
    On February 21st, 2012 at 12:54 pm, Southpaw said:

    On February 20th, 2012 at 2:09 pm, tone said:
    I said it in the other thread and I’ll say it here. The communists in charge of commanding the economy will ensure that gas prices are on a decreasing trend come fall.

    My thought too. Expect gas prices to be $3.00 per gallon in time for the Democratic convention, then permanently go up to $5.00 gallon after Obama is elected.

    Quid pro quo for the oil companies. They make higher profits playing the Chicago game than they do drilling for more oil.

  56. #56
    On February 21st, 2012 at 12:56 pm, rightwingrocker said:

    The best part of all this was watching Bob Beckel try to turn it into an advantage for His Royal Majesty.

    All I could do was laugh.

    Dana is all that and a bag of chips.

    RWR
    http://www.rightwingrocker.com

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