Urgency Behind Bush Energy Plan Wanes

When Bush introduced his plan in May, warning that America faced the most serious energy shortage since the oil embargoes of the 1970s, gas prices had peaked at a nationwide average of $1.76 per gallon. At one point, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham cautioned that gas prices could hit $3 a gallon this summer.

But the average price at the pump has since fallen to $1.51 per gallon -- and is expected to drop to $1.42 per gallon by the end of the year. Natural gas prices are down by half in the past six months. And in electricity-starved California, Gov. Gray Davis opened the state's fourth new power plant in just the past three weeks.

But while the easing of what appeared to be an energy emergency is great news for consumers, it poses a major challenge for the White House as it tries to sell its energy plan.

Asked whether President Bush had overstated the case about the nation's energy woes, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer responded that anyone paying $2.50 a gallon at the pump would say otherwise.

Despite the improving energy picture, Fleischer argued, the nation is "operating on the margins of error" and is vulnerable to future price spikes.

But even the president acknowledged the price drop makes it much harder to sell his plan to the American people and -- perhaps more importantly -- to Congress.

"Anytime there's not, you know, an immediate problem that's apparent to people, it's tough to convince people to think long term," Bush said.

So the president has sent his team on a national road show to drum up public support. Vice President Dick Cheney was the featured speaker today in Philadelphia, but because of laryngitis his wife took center stage.

"Another broad aim is to increase energy supplies from diverse sources. This kind of balanced approach is essential," Lynne Cheney said.

Cabinet members fanned out across the country as well, pushing a plan that calls for increased energy conservation, increased reliance on nuclear power and increased oil and gas production.

The town hall-style format for the events generally includes some back and forth discussion. But Fleischer told reporters the goal of the sessions is for the American people to hear from administration officials.

The town hall meetings are occurring in several politically significant states. A White House spokeswoman said the sites were chosen through discussion with Congress.

She added that the Cabinet officials went to places where congressional leaders and the White House thought they would have the best chance to sway leaning members of Congress. The White House pursued a similar strategy of traveling to states where it considered the members to be "persuadable" when Bush was selling his tax-cut plan.

While the Republican-led House is making progress on the president's energy plan, an administration official said nothing has been scheduled in the Senate yet, although the White House has been talking to members of the upper chamber.

As the price scare has evaporated, so too has the momentum on the energy issue. And without the sense of catastrophe looming, it will tough to get Congress to even focus on the president's plan.