[Graeme]

Getting Big Oil to feel our pain$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')n political contributions, the oil companies still lean heavily Republican, obviously in hopes of blocking Democrat-inspired proposals to help consumers. ExxonMobil and Chevron rank second and third, respectively, among oil and gas companies and have so far made $1 million in 2008-cycle contributions, three-quarters of it going to the Republicans.

But make no mistake, they are diversifying their portfolio. Of the top 10 recipients, number five and number six are Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Republican John McCain is number two at $485,526, but his money is easily surpassed by the combined contributions of $628,419 for Clinton and Obama.

[TheDude]

So Hilary and Obama are to be considered collectively for some reason? And why ask if the next POTUS will resist being bribed, as it's obvious they're quite accustomed to it?

My hunch is that peak oil will become the issue in a couple years, with attendant pillorying of whoever the POTUS is. Like Jack says, they will be the new Herbert Hoover, and not really in a position to stand up to lobbyists from any industry, not that I'd ever expect that from the general run of Washington politicos. It's the way it's gamed now.

[Cashmere]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '$')1 million in 2008-cycle contributions, three-quarters of it going to the Republicans.