US Democrats may attack energy industry - editor

10 March 2008 21:14  [Source: ICIS news]

SAN DIEGO, California (ICIS news)--The US energy industry will likely have to defend itself from political attacks should the Democratic Party take the White House this year, the editor and publisher of The Rothenberg Political Report said on Monday.

Speaking at the 106th National Petrochemicals and Refiners Association (NPRA) meeting in San Diego, Stuart Rothenberg focused mostly on the Democratic Party race between New York Senator Hillary Clinton and Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

According to its website, The Rothenberg Political Report is a non-partisan newsletter covering US House, Senate, and gubernatorial campaigns, Presidential politics, and political developments. It said it neither endorses candidates, nor advocates positions on matters of public policy.

Should the Democratic Party win the White House, Rothenberg said, Democrats would likely go after three or four major industries, which would likely be oil and gas companies, pharmaceutical companies and chemical companies.

“It could be a difficult environment, and you’ll have to defend yourself,” Rothenberg told the NPRA. “You’ll have to deal with it.”

Rothenberg said that according to various national polls and surveys, the performance of the Bush administration has damaged the Republican Party.

On Sunday, NPRA chairman James Mahoney said his organisation would work with any political party that wins the presidency.

“What’s most important to us is that our voice is heard,” Mahoney said.

With over 1,600 attendees, the 106th NPRA annual meeting began on Sunday and will run until Tuesday.

ICIS Copyright © Reed Business Information 2009

Author: Brian Balboa
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