California Gov. Gray Davis, a Democrat fighting for his political life, has accused Bush of not doing enough to help ease the state's electricity crunch. Republicans in California have warned the White House of potential fallout, prompting Bush to dispatch Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham to the state last week. Bush himself is trying to fit a California trip into his schedule. Abraham faced tough questions Tuesday from Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike about Bush's plans to cut energy research by about 30 percent, with some programs involving solar and wind energy slashed in half. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., told Abraham.
Republicans are afraid of the political cost of high energy prices.
For Republicans to maintain their control of Congress, they need to have something in the short term,'' said Republican consultant Scott Reed of Washington. Trying to lower expectations, Vice President Dick Cheney said creating energy policy is difficult work. Bush, however, made it sound easy during the presidential campaign. California, in a preview of a summer of woes, experienced its fifth day of blackouts Monday and more were expected Tuesday. The Republican National Committee, which pays for polling used by Bush's advisers, has surveys that show the economy overtaking education for the first time in years as voters' top issue.