By Paul Gable

President Obama does not “accept responsibility” for high gas prices, his spokesman indicated today, arguing that Obama has done everything he could to bring down the price of oil and blaming the high gas prices on oil price increases caused by global factors.

“The president accepts the responsibility that he identified the next president should accept, back in 2008, which is the need to develop a comprehensive energy policy,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said today when asked if Obama “accept[s] responsibility” for the high price of oil and gas. “If you’re suggesting that there is responsibility for a rise in the global price of oil, it’s certainly not because of anything he hasn’t done to expand domestic oil and gas production,” Carney added.

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Obama to talk about gas prices on Thursday USA TODAY (blog) - 1 hour ago

In-Depth: GOP blames Obama for gas prices‎ msnbc.com
Gas prices up for 4th straight week in W.Va.‎ Sacramento Bee

(News OK)

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., may be the elected leader of Senate Republicans but their is little doubt where the press believes the real heart of the conservative movement beats: in Sen. Jim DeMint‘s, R-S.C., office. Just look at the tweet from NBC News‘ Chuck Todd earlier today:

Is this a budget that Jim DeMint could support? nyti.ms/yMsqUH // Christie proposes a spending increase but a tax decrease.

And here is Politico‘s Jonathan Martin reporting on Rick Santorum‘s legislative record yesterday:

Santorum is plenty conservative on social issues for the current GOP, but his old-fashioned approach to governing and fiscal issues during his 16 years in Congress is out of step with the brand of tea party Republicanism embodied today by the likes of Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C.

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Jim DeMint: The GOP’s new gold standard

Sen. Jim DeMint looks for Republican presidential nomination …‎ The Augusta Chronicle
DeMint to Aiken GOP: This is now or never‎ Aiken Standard

Friends,

Thanks to you, we are bringing more transparency and accountability to the state’s $25 billion pension fund. Your visits, calls and emails to the Senate made the difference and I am truly appreciative. Because of your efforts, state Senators overwhelmingly voted by a 34-10 margin to keep the only elected official on the Investment Commission!

That was just the beginning of our transparency efforts. At Thursday’s Investment Commission meeting, the Commission wisely voted to take three weeks to carefully examine the pension fund’s investment allocations.  Previously, the fate of $25 billion was decided in one meeting.  Taking the time to closely look at where this fund is putting money is at the heart of transparency and accountability.

I would also like to thank my fellow commissioners for voting to examine all strategic partnerships and alternative investments. This review is key to making long term investment decisions that create value for our retirement system.

Lastly, I ask you to click on these editorials from the Charleston Post and Courier and Greenville News.  These thoughtful and objective commentaries provide even more insight on something I consider to be the biggest financial issue facing our state.

Be Well,

Curtis M. Loftis, Jr.

P.S. If you haven’t already, please become a “fan” of the Treasurer’s Facebook pagefor updates and conversation from our office.

(Post & Courier)

Mitt Romney will face his three Republican rivals tonight in a debate that marks the start of a crucial week for his presidential bid.

Romney badly needs to win the Feb. 28 primary in Michigan, the state where he grew up and his father once governed. A victory there, coupled with a win in the Arizona primary the same day, could give him a strong boost.

A Michigan loss for the self-described “son of Detroit” could be devastating. Romney has trailed Rick Santorum in most recent statewide polls, though he appears to be closing the gap.

“Romney’s loss will leave the party with no clear front-runner, or at least a possible emerging front-runner, Santorum,” said Victoria Mantzopoulos, a professor of political science at the University of Detroit Mercy.

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Mitt Romney showing slight lead in 2 Michigan polls; others favor …

In-Depth: Romney faces high stakes as Santorum moves on Michigan‎ Fox News
Blog: Obama allies attack Mitt Romney in Michigan‎ Washington Post (blog)