It all depends on how he handles it. Bush can likely escape lasting political damage if he can convince the country he is working hard to help Americans fill their gas tanks, keep their lights on, and cool their homes - and if his policy eventually works. If he appears unconcerned about the environment and too much on the side of the oil and gas industry at a time 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 reelection in 1980.
Symbols are important.
He could turn down his own thermostat. Bush also could point to the energy-saving designs such as geothermal water heating and passive solar room heating at his own recently built home in Crawford, Texas. Bush agrees the country should be more efficient. Bush also appears reluctant to force the American people to conserve. Conservation as sacrifice is a view more in line with the 1970s than the 2000s, argued David Nemtzow, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington-based coalition that promotes energy efficiency.