Tom Udall is a candidate who likes to meet with constituents in order to get firsthand knowledge of their concerns.

Recently, Udall met with citizens in a round table discussion at a local gas station to discuss the rising cost of fuel. Udall spoke of possible solutions including responsible drilling, cracking down on hedge fund speculators and price gouging and adopting stronger fuel efficiency standards. He also talked about a higher gas tax saying it wasn't a feasible solution at this time.

Udall seems genuinely concerned about higher fuel costs and the impact it is having on citizens.

A recently published poll shows the majority of Western U.S. voters (including those in New Mexico) feel urgent action is needed to reduce oil consumption and global warming emissions. (D) Tom Udall strongly supports alternate energy/fuel technologies in step with these voters' concerns. See the poll by visiting the following link:

Going through Udall's official website, he made a statement that "Under the Bush Administration, we have seen gas prices, food prices, health care costs, and the price of a college education increase dramatically. And who is bearing the brunt of all this? New Mexico’s middle class. We need change and we need it now. That’s why I’m running for U.S. Senate. We have to get back to doing what’s right for this country and what’s right for New Mexico." Does he really know what he is going to do as a Senator or is he just pointing accusing fingers to the Bush's administration just like any Tom, Dick and Harry is doing these days?

(D) Tom Udall is said to "point the finger" at the oil speculators as well in a recent article in the National Journal. (Also mentioned in other arguments on Pearce's side.) As Shelly mentioned above, Udall has mentioned the Bush Administration as a cause along with Big Oil. This does call Udall's qualifications into question if he does not provide solutions in step with accusations and complaints.

(R) Steve Pearce is absolutely in favor of increased drilling and speculation as an immediate fix to the gasoline price issue concerning many of his New Mexican constituents. "The cure in the short term is to drill in Alaska and off the Florida Coast. ... We can't continue like this," Pearce said in a recent Daily Times article. Pearce's rational is rooted in the fact that something must be done to effect the short term outcome.

Rep. Pearce believes that the answer to affordable gasoline is grounded in Benjamin Franklin’s practical world. In answer to Udall’s complaints about speculation driving up the price Pearce looks to the “reason” for the speculation. “Speculators are just reacting to the current economic climate and Washington's unwillingness to open more oil fields in the U.S.” “Speculators only act on human behavior--they think right now human behavior in the congress says no to any more drilling. It's gonna drive the price up," he said. Pearce isn’t looking to speculation about speculators. He’s looking to the practical answer. All conduct has some rational basis to it. Drill now and the price will go down, even before any oil is recovered.