Yeah but don't forget we can't switch to alternitives overnight and it will also be very costly at first to convert over so why not hold out as long a possible while perfecting it at the same time.
George W Bush only started this year to talk about alternative fuel sources, how USA should be less dependent on oil, and the efforts aren't exactly 100%.
With another president, chances are that this drive would've started much earlier, and with a bigger thrust.
As it happens, Bush is tied up in the oil lobby, a puppet.
IMO, it would have been somewhat understandable or maybe acceptable if Bush had gained something for the USA for all his efforts.
Ie, if you make omelette, you have to break some eggs, that kind of philosophy. That you will have to pay a price for giving benefits to the USA.
But it doesn't seem like Bush has managed to create anything worthwhile with his politics. He will leave a heavy bag of troubles to deal with for Giuliani or Edwards, or whoever replaces him.
-Hedge