I have to give John Kerry credit for his political smarts today. While I usually don't like the fact that Democrats tend to try to link the Bush Administration to rumors instead of facts to prove their case, I am torn between enjoying Kerry's dig at the Saudis and his use of said rumors. I mean, he can't lose. If gas prices come down from their all-time highs which they would probably do naturally, he can claim he was correct about the Bush-Saudi conspiracy. If gas prices stay high, he can complain about that too. Nevertheless, it is a little dangerous for a candidate for President to accuse the sitting president of making secret pacts with foreign countries. Even if he uses the word "if".

It seems like Saudi Arabia and their friends won't be part of any coalition that Kerry needs for Iraq or anything else should he get into office.

Kerry attacks alleged Bush oil deal
Saudi prince's alleged promise to cut prices 'outrageous'

"If, as (Washington Post journalist) Bob Woodward reports, it is true, that gas supplies and prices in America are tied to the American election, then tied to a secret White House deal, that is outrageous and unacceptable," Kerry said at a campaign speech in Florida.

Woodward, in a book released Monday, alleges that Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan, who serves as his nation's ambassador to the United States, promised Bush that his country would increase oil production, thus lowering prices, in the months leading up to Nov. 2.

"It is my prayer that Americans are not being held hostage to a secret deal between the White House and a Saudi prince, but unlike George Bush and his friends at the big oil companies, I'm going to work for a real energy policy for this country that decreases America's dependence on foreign oil," Kerry said.