Kennedy Places Politics Over Solutions to Energy Crisis

Original Link: http://www.marylandrieu.com/news/press_releases?id=0016

Opposes immediate action to reduce price at the pump.

Perennial United States Senate candidate John Kennedy and the Louisiana Republican party demonstrated on Friday why the National Republican Senatorial Committee called Kennedy ineffective, inefficient and not ready for primetime. In press release after press release, they continued to attempt to trick voters into thinking that U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., voted against a bill that never actually came to a vote.

Click here to see a copy of the Louisiana Republican Party press release with relevant edits and corrections.

In reality, Sen. Landrieu voted to lower gas prices now. She voted to move a bill forward to limit oil speculation. Despite John Kennedy's assertion on WIST radio today that he thinks oil speculation is "way overstated," experts say speculation could be responsible for as much as 50% of the recent increases in gas prices. John Kennedy made it clear that he opposes this effort to reduce gas prices now. It is time for John Kennedy to stop using the energy crisis for talking points and to start coming up with smart solutions that lower gas prices now.

"The United States Senate has an opportunity to pass a bill that will immediately provide some relief at the pump," Landrieu campaign spokesman Scott Schneider said. "John Kennedy made it clear that he is more interested in election-year politics than supporting legislation that helps Louisianians. He is one confused politician.

"Louisianians are sick of empty talk about gas prices. We need solutions, not sound bites. Sen. Landrieu has gotten the job done for Louisiana -- passing legislation that opened portions of the outer continental shelf to oil and gas production for the first time in 25 years. All John Kennedy has done is run for office."