From the tragedy in Japan, to turmoil in Libya and the related rising gas prices here at home, to the ongoing debate over the government’s budget, there was a great deal for the President to discuss during his press conference this afternoon.
During his opening remarks, though, he began with the earthquake that struck Japan and the tsunamis that resulted, explaining that US assistance is already en route, and that while there hasn’t been major damage to the US or its territories so far, FEMA is taking the situation very seriously.
Today’s events remind us of just how fragile life can be. Our hearts go out to our friends in Japan and across the region and we’re going to stand with them as they recover and rebuild from this tragedy.
The President used the rest of his opening remarks before taking questions to discuss rising gas prices, which are a concern for virtually every family and business in the country. He touched on the causes of the rise, ranging from world-wide economic recovery that has driven up demand and therefore prices, to the recent jolt resulting from the unrest in the Middle East and Libya. He also touched on what is not causing the rise in prices, namely the fiction that his Administration has choked off oil production – as he noted, and as this White House fact sheet (pdf) explains in detail, our oil production is now at its highest level in seven years and oil production from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico has reached an all-time high – “So any notion that my administration has shut down oil production might make for a good political sound bite, but it doesn’t match up with reality.”
President Barack Obama answers questions from the media during a news conference in the South Court Auditorium of the White House,
Fonte: White House