The Obamessiah's Confused Energy Policy

Barack Obama was asked his reaction to high gas prices and the problems they're causing:

Barack Obama: I think that... we have been slow to move in a better direction when it comes to energy usage. And the president, frankly, hasn't had an energy policy.* And as a consequence we've been consuming energy as if it's infinite. We now know that our demand is badly outstripping supply with China and India growing as rapidly as they are.

CNBC's John Harwood: So could the (high) oil prices help us?

Barack Obama: I think that I would have preferred a gradual adjustment. The fact that this is such a shock to American pocketbooks is not a good thing. But if we take some steps right now to help people make the adjustment, first of all by putting more money in their pockets, but also by encouraging the market to adapt to these new circumstances more rapidly, particularly U.S. automakers...

So, based on that answer I should be able to conclude the following:

• Obama thinks the current supply levels are acceptable and therefore will do nothing to allow U.S. producers to explore on our own lands and in our waters in order to increase American supplies. His only answer to supply problems - conservation.
• Obama has no problem with high gas prices, just the rate at which they increase. He would be fine with $5 a gallon gas as long as it goes up gradually.

The Obamessiah is not ready for the job he's seeking.