With prices climbing more than 60 cents a gallon since January 1, President Barack Obama discussed energy and rising gas prices—a top-of-mind issue for motorists across the country including AAA’s more than 53 million members—in a meeting with AAA.

Following his speech on energy issues in Cushing, Oklahoma, the President spoke to a representative of the nation’s largest auto club that serves one-in-four American households. As an advocate of motorists nationwide, AAA asked the President questions likely to be foremost in the minds of drivers feeling the pain at the pump.

When asked by AAA to comment on the frustration and confusion that U.S motorists are experiencing with rising gas prices, the President said, “I understand what folks are going through because it wasn’t that long ago that I was having to fill up my gas tank and drive to work, shuttle the kids back and forth to school or events. It takes a big bite out of folks’ paychecks.”

The President went on to say that the U.S. has experienced cyclical gas prices for decades and stressed the importance of America having more control over its own energy security.

AAA also inquired about the role of the President in addressing prices at the pump given the global forces and political tensions abroad that drive the oil and energy markets. The President elaborated on points from his earlier speech, saying, “The most important thing I can do as the President is not to simply focus on tomorrow.

It’s focusing on getting America properly aimed toward our goal of continuing to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.” The President also highlighted the importance of maintaining growth and productivity while further reducing U.S. oil consumption. The president noted that pressure on oil prices in the coming two decades will be difficult to reverse.

Even as a 110-year old organization whose origins date to the earliest days of the motor vehicle, AAA continues to explore new vehicle technologies to offer enhanced and improved services to members. Responding to member interest, AAA began testing a roadside service vehicle capable of providing charging assistance to electric vehicles.

As to public acceptance of new technologies, the President said, “People need to feel confident that when they get into an electric car they’re not going to get stuck. To the extent that we start having both more efficient batteries and distribution capacity, people can feel confident that they’re never going to get stuck, or at least not any more stuck than they do when they forget to fill up and then call AAA.”

The President also shared insight about the role of alternative-fuel vehicles as a possible solution to current high fuel costs. President Obama noted that fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks have doubled, which will result in fewer trips to the gas station and a savings for the average family of about $8,000 over the life of the car.

As to the future, the president is optimistic. “If we unleash American creativity, if we properly incentivize people to think about fuel economy as part of overall design, Americans can make great cars.”

While he is no longer able to do his own driving, AAA couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ask President Obama about his first car. Noting he had been AAA member for years, he said, “I have to confess, my first car was my grandfather’s car, which was a Ford Granada.

It rattled and it shook, and I don’t think the girls were particularly impressed when I came to pick them up in a Ford Granada. But you know what? It moved, and so I have fond memories of the fact that it got me to where I needed to go.”

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A serious presidential contender believes the Soviet Union still exists and, unfortunately, because Rep. Michele Bachmann will make 10 more verbal gaffes just today, the story is overlooked. In an interview conducted by Christian radio host Jay Sekulow on Thursday, Bachmann again proves just how far out of her league she is.

When asked on-air about what different people all over the country are telling Bachmann on her campaign trail, the GOP hopeful said that jobs and economy are obviously a big concern among Americans. That’s not all that’s on their minds, however.

“What people recognize is that there’s a fear that the United States is in an unstoppable decline,” said Bachmann. “They see the rise of China, the rise of India, the rise of the Soviet Union and our loss militarily going forward.”

Yes, the Minnesota Republican believes that the Soviet Union is a threat, the same Soviet Union that has been a democracy for over twenty years. The Soviet Union was dismantled by Bachmann’s own hero-Ronald Reagan.

It seems like something she would know.  I don’t know if this is Bachmann’s gaffe or the people attending her rallies are really saying this. Either way, it is frightening.

Bachmann also proclaimed to a South Carolina crowd that if she were president, gas prices would decrease. “Under President Bachmann you will see gasoline come down below $2 a gallon again,” she stated, pointing out that gas prices were $1.79 when President Barack Obama took office. Of course, she failed to mention that Obama took office during a massive global recession.

Many policies that would reduce Americans dependence on oil, Bachmann has been against. She may believe that an increase in domestic drilling will somehow magically lower gas prices but this is not correct.

The Energy Information in 2009 estimated that by drilling on America’s continental shelf — where so much of America’s oil is — would only drop gas prices by a few cents by 2030.

It is completely conceivable that Bachmann believes that the president sets the gas prices. She, so far, has proven that she does not understand world history; it is not hard to believe that economics is past her comprehension.

Even though she is a tax lawyer, she clearly did not understand the whole debt ceiling debate. So vote for Bachmann and gas prices will drop, income will rise, new roads will be built and you won’t have to pay any taxes!!!! It is a magical world!! (And completely fiction.)

Image Courtesy of  http://www.facebook.com/teambachmann?ref=ts

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