ABC’s Good Morning America did its very best Tuesday to earn brownie points with its friends at the Biden White House. They praised their inept attempt to trash oil companies, and threatened them with new taxes if (artificially lower) prices are not achieved.
As we have repeatedly reported (see here and here), multiple attempts by Fox’s Peter Doocy and Jacqui Heinrich to point out that they can’t just lower prices (to whatever Biden considers reasonable), that there hasn’t been price gouging and explain why the administration’s stance towards fossil fuel companies has harmed domestic production were unsuccessful. ABC didn’t care about that.
“Biden versus Big Oil. George Stephanopoulos, a former Clinton official, boasted that the President was accusing companies profiteering from war.
Michael Strahan, co-host, also took part in the discussion. He said that President Biden was trying to take down Big Oil and threatened to impose new taxes to the industry’s record profits. This is despite there being “just seven days before those midterm elections” with half of voters saying that inflation and the economy are their top issues.
Chief White House correspondent Cecilia Vega was three for three in the shilling. She insists Biden and his team “have been laser-focused on these gasoline prices heading into the midterms and are pointing to facts like the giant oil corporations…Exxon and Chevron…reported profits…totaling over $40 billion.”
Vega was the only network to report Monday’s remarks. He claimed that Biden “used” his strongest words by accusing oil companies of “war profiteering” and “threatening to pursue what he calls these record profits if they don’t fall.”
Instead of providing a fact-check on whether the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has yet to say if price gouging occurred, Vega’s so called “reality check” was that Biden’s proposal would require an Act of Congress. They are out until after the midterms.
Vega said that the regime “knows people are filling in their ballots as we speak, and that gas prices top of mind, so that is why you’re now seeing this push.”
Amy Robach, co-host, said “That makes a lot sense.”
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Click “expand” to see the relevant transcript from November 1.
ABC’s Good Morning America
November 1, 2022
7:02 a.m. Eastern
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Biden vs. Big Oil; President’s New Threat]
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Biden versus Big Oil. The President accuses companies of war profiteering. His new threat and the response by Big Oil.
(….)
7:13 a.m. Eastern
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE] This Morning: President Biden Attacks Big Oil; Accuses Companies Of “War Profiteering”, Threatens Windfall tax]
MICHAEL STRAHAN – As we count down to the midterm elections, 50% of voters say that inflation and the economy are top concerns. Now, President Biden is trying take on Big Oil and threatens to impose new taxes upon the industry’s record profits. Cecilia Vega, our chief white house correspondent, has more. Cecilia, good morning.
CECILIA VEGA: Hey, Michael. Good morning from the foggy White House. President Biden is well aware that gas prices could make or break this election. So the White House has been laser-focused on these gas prices heading into the midterms. They are pointing to facts like the huge oil companies Exxon, Chevron and Shell, which reported profits last week of more than $40 billion. We were discussing it at the time when we were experiencing record gas prices across much of the country. The President now uses his strongest words yet. He accuses these oil companies of “war-profiteering”. He is threatening to pursue what he calls “record profits” if gas prices do not fall. He claims he will work with Congress to find legislative options. But, look, I want you to get a reality check. Congress will remain in place until after the election. If Republicans win control, it is unlikely that they will be able to go after Big Oil. Republicans have stated that the administration should eliminate some of these regulations to increase oil production. But, Amy, the White House knows that people are filling in their ballots right now and that gas prices are top-of-mind, so you’re seeing this push.
AMY ROBACH Cecilia, it’s all good.
