Obama and the First Rule of Holes: "81% Say Finding New Energy Sources is Urgent National Need"

From Rasmussen:

Americans overwhelmingly believe there is an urgent national need to find new sources of energy, and this need is more important that reducing current energy usage, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

With energy issues taking center stage in the presidential campaign, 81% of Americans see development of new energy sources as an urgent priority. Only 9% disagree.

For nearly two-thirds (65%), finding new sources of energy is more important that reducing the amount of energy Americans now consume. Twenty-eight percent (28%) think reducing current usage is more important.

(Emphasis added.) This is why it's so idiotic for Obama to continue to insist that his "tire inflation" remark is correct - and why I hope he keeps on talking about that remark! He keeps voters focused on his pro-conservation bent, which is a political loser. I heard one of his surrogates last night on Fox News, arguing that the Obama's statement is correct (it's not -- look here).

In light of polling data like this from Rasmussen, I think Obama will shut up about it or insist his words are being twisted. But again, I hope he doesn't stop.

The Senator does have an interesting habit of not giving up on a gaffe when he makes one, or "doubling down" on a stupid remark, as Hugh Hewitt calls it. It's amazing how a presidential candidate can be so obtuse as to disregard the first rule of holes: when you're in one, stop digging!

Update: National Review's Rich Lowry has a nice summary of of the facts on Obama's foolish tire inflation gaffe:

On the question of tire pressure, [Obama] was wrong when he said that properly inflating tires would save enough gas to make up for whatever oil we might get from more offshore drilling. Only an estimated 27 percent of cars have underinflated tires, and having properly inflated tires saves at most only 3 percent on gas consumption, so the number gets quite small. Obama’s estimate of an overall savings of 3 percent to 4 percent on gas consumption is wildly optimistic.

When Republicans ridiculed Obama for this pratfall, he responded: "It’s almost as if they take pride in being ignorant.”

Another shovelful of dirt. Keep it up, Senator!