In New York City, electricity shortages could lead to blackouts this summer. Late this year, people in the Northeast and Midwest again could face rising prices for heating oil and natural gas. However, if he appears to be too much against the environment and too much on the side of the oil and gas industry when it already is enjoying record profits, he risks losing touch with the people. And if his policy ultimately fails to ease a crisis, his presidency could go the way of Jimmy Carter, the man in the Oval Office the last time Americans faced soaring fuel costs and energy shortages. That was a major factor in Carter's defeat for re-election in 1980.
Symbols are important.
He could turn down his own thermostat. Already, Bush has urged opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling for oil and gas. And that is particularly risky for a president and vice president who both worked in the oil industry. He doesn't want people to start saying, 'Gosh, I wish Bill Clinton were here.