Energy Warfare

Robert Rapier studies Obama's plans:

I think Obama's choice of Secretary of Energy is going to be a strong indicator of whether he is going to declare open warfare on the oil companies, or whether he is going to try to work with them.

I have seen Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell floated as a possible candidate. I think that signals that open warfare is the direction, as Rendell has been quite a demagogue over the oil companies. As I documented before, Rendell is someone who doesn't seem to see the connection between the 'drive anywhere, anytime' mentality and high gas prices. He wants to have the convenience of hopping in his suburban to drive two blocks, and then he wants to punish the oil companies because prices are too high. He actually wants to reward the people who drive the most. Fundamentally, I don't think Rendell has an understanding of the nature of the problems we face.

Bradford Plumer has more on Obama's energy challenges.