OPEC turns down the spigots and Scott “Estragon” McClellan at the Department of Hooey complains about Senate Democrats three years ago. He also does some “wacky gas tax” karaoke from the Bush/Halliburton campaign ads. Is this an April Fool’s day joke? Sadly, No!

Q When he was running for President, the President said that President Clinton should get on the phone with the OPEC cartel and say, we expect you to open up your spigots. But it doesn’t appear that he’s doing that —
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that’s wrong. No, this — go ahead.
Q Well, excuse me, I was just going to ask, could you tell us what calls the President has made?
MR. McCLELLAN: This administration remains actively engaged with our friends in OPEC, as well as non-OPEC producers from around the world. Secretary Abraham, Secretary Powell, the White House, we are in constant discussions with producers from around the world. Condi Rice has certainly been in touch with individuals in OPEC, and we will continue working for America’s consumers to make our views known to our friends in OPEC, as well as other producers around the world.
Q But he’s not making calls, himself?
MR. McCLELLAN: I’m sorry?
Q He’s not making calls, himself?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President makes his views known on a regular basis to leaders, and this administration remains actively engaged in discussions — over the last few days, today, we remain actively engaged in discussions with our friends in OPEC, as well as others.
Q Scott, our friends in OPEC don’t seem to be paying any attention. It seems as if the President has been unpersuasive with our friends in OPEC. Is it fair to conclude that —
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I disagree with your characterization.
Q Well, they’re jacking the price on us. Is it fair to conclude that he’s not — what he’s doing isn’t working?
…
Q You just said, we would not be in this situation if Senate Democrats had not blocked the energy policy in May, 2001. Prove that.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Senate Democrats are the ones that had been holding up, through their procedural moves, holding up the Senate moving forward. The House moved forward, and they moved forward quickly —
Q But how would that —
MR. McCLELLAN: [repeats complaint about Senate Democrats]
Q But how would passing the President’s energy bill in May of 2001, have changed OPEC’s mind in March of 2004?
MR. McCLELLAN: It would of — what it would have done, it would have helped reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy; it would have increased domestic exploration and production; it would have expanded conservation; it would have increased energy efficiency. We need to take all those steps. That’s why I said, we need a comprehensive plan. It would have also provided us a modern electric grid, as well, to address the electricity crisis that we faced last year.
Q You said earlier that market conditions set the price. Does that still hold? And is OPEC abiding by market conditions?
MR. McCLELLAN: That’s very much our view, and that’s very much what we continue to emphasize to our friends in OPEC, as well as other non-OPEC producers.
Q Scott, just to follow up on what Terry was saying. Given the fact that these discussions, quiet diplomacies, as it’s been called, is not working, and it’s different from — you trying to approach this in a different way than, for example, you said the Clinton administration approached it, what else can you do? I mean, is it your message that’s not getting across? Is it the tactics that aren’t working? Why do think —
MR. McCLELLAN: [repeats complaint about Senate Democrats]
Q I’m talking about the way you’re dealing with OPEC.
MR. McCLELLAN: [repeats complaints about Senate Democrats, adds in Bush/Dick campaign karaoke] If some had their way, the gas prices would be much higher right now.
Q How about my question about OPEC?
MR. McCLELLAN: I’m sorry?
Q How about my question about OPEC?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we remain in close discussion with our friends in OPEC and others around the world, and we will continue to stay in close contact with them. We have been in contact with some of our friends in OPEC as recently as today.
Q From the White House perspective, why haven’t — I mean, in assessing the situation, why haven’t your discussions been productive?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we are going to continue to [repeats earlier soundbite]
Q … But over the short-term, how much control does any White House, does any administration have over the price of gasoline?
MR. McCLELLAN: [repeats complaint about Senate Democrats]
Q Do you mean because the supply —
MR. McCLELLAN: [repeats complaint about Senate Democrats]
Q … but as you’ve acknowledged, the prices are set by the market, and unless you were able to overwhelm the supply reduction by OPEC, it wouldn’t have any impact on the price of gasoline.
MR. McCLELLAN: You’re right, we need adequate and affordable supplies of energy, and that’s why we need to act at home to reduce our dependency.
Q But over the short-term, I’m asking you how much control does any administration have over the price of gasoline?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, there are steps we can take to address this issue. I just mentioned several of them —
Q Two or three years down the road.
MR. McCLELLAN: [repeats complaint about Senate Democrats, Bush/Dick campaign karoke] And there are some that would advocate even higher gas taxes. The President will remain firmly opposed to that.
Q I think we’ve all gotten that message.