While it's obvious why the Republicans (new mascot: oilephant) have a keen interest in being friendly to oil companies, it's not so clear why they're defiantly standing behind the tax breaks and subsidies when the voting public is ticked off about high gas prices while those companies post record profits. Now I'm not a big fan of the oilephant party, but I do respect their political savvy. After all, they+óGé¼Gäóve been in control of Congress for 12 years and the White House for 6 years despite very questionable job performance. But it sure looks like they've dropped the political ball on this one.
Have they simply lost their political mojo? Or do they have some trick up their sleeve?
Here are a few of my guesses. Please feel free to jump in with own.
They've given up
With everything else going down the crapper for the oilephant (Iraq, Katrina, Abramoff, Plume, Wiretapping, etc), they simply decided to make as many wealthy friends as possible on their way out of town.
They're gambling
On two things - the price of oil will drop significantly before November and the voters will have short memories. The latter is more likely IMHO, but both are possible.
They believe the election can be bought
By making good friends with the oil companies their campaigns will be well funded, so maybe they think by outspending the Democrats they will keep their jobs.