Bush misfires in drive to end ‘oil addiction’

Thursday, February 02, 2006

The Financial Times online reports on world reaction to Bush's call to reduce U.S. dependence on Middle East oil by 75% by 2025:

George W. Bush runs the risk of alienating the world’s biggest source of oil with his plan to end America’s “oil addiction”, Opec delegates, oil ministers, energy experts and even some environmentalists said yesterday. . . .

Perhaps the most fervent reaction came from within traditionally Bush-friendly territory. Myron Ebell, director at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a conservative think-tank, said: “The president’s hackneyed and dangerous energy rhetoric that we are addicted to oil is an indication that the administration is addicted to confused thinking about energy policies. [His goals] will be hindrances to creating a bright energy future for American consumers.”