GOP shooting blanks at Democratic Congress

The one positive aspect of the Democratic majority in Congress, as far as Republicans are concerned, is it has given the GOP ammunition in the area of political rhetoric.

But the Republicans are shooting blanks.

Last week, President Bush and right-wing radio talk-show hosts hounded Democrats about record oil prices, which topped $145 a barrel. High oil prices, which translate into $4-plus per gallon at the gas pump, are the fault of Democrats who refuse to permit drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other environmentally sensitive areas.

Never mind that oil companies already have the rights to drill on 68 million acres that remain untapped.

Never mind that Republicans held the White House and a congressional majority for years during Mr. Bush’s first term and did nothing to lift the ban or to decrease our dependence on foreign oil.

Forget that gasoline was less than $1.50 a gallon when Mr. Bush moved into the White House, and forget that he and Vice President Dick Cheney are former oil executives.

It’s all the Democrats’ fault.