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Bush, Stop Begging the Saudis

Posted May 17, 08 1:23 PM CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – Whichever adviser sent President Bush to plead with the Saudi king to help bring down oil prices should be canned, the Wall Street Journal opines. Bush had the same request turned down during a visit in January, and the rebuff is even more humiliating the second time around. If Bush wants to go begging, he'd be better off turning to Fed chief Ben Bernanke, "creator of our current commodity-price spike."

The Journal also takes issue with the notion that the US is helping the Saudis develop civilian nuclear reactors—"to provide for their energy needs." While that may help the nation export more oil in the long run, "we await the explanation for why the world needs another politically unstable Islamic theocracy in possession of radioactive fuel rods."

Source Wall Street Journal

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President Bush stands with Saudi King Abdullah during the playing of the U.S. National Anthem at an arrival ceremony at Riyadh-King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, Friday, May 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
President Bush sits with Saudi King Abdullah at the King's Al Janadriyah Ranch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, May 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
President Bush, front right, walks with Saudi King Abdullah during an arrival ceremony at Riyadh-King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, May 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
US President George W. Bush waves from Air Force One before his departure from King Khalid International Airport, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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George W. Bush • oil price • Ben Bernanke • Saudi Arabia • oil production • King Abdullah


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