Getting madder: A timeline of Obama comments about the Gulf oil spill

more images

more images

more images

more images

Timeline on Obama’s oil spill comments

President Barack Obama’s escalating comments on the Gulf oil spill:

Thursday, May 27 — At a news conferences, Obama says his daughter Malia asked him that morning: “Did you plug the hole yet, Daddy?” He tells his TV audience he accepts responsibility for mending the situation and talks of a “scandalously close relationship” between Big Oil and government regulators.

Saturday, May 29 — Obama says it is “as enraging as it is heartbreaking” that BP’s latest attempt to stop the oil, known as “top kill,” has failed.

Tuesday, June 1 — Obama introduces a national commission to examine the causes of the spill. He implores them “to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor.” Attorney General Eric Holder visits Louisiana and announces he is exploring charges against BP and the other firms involved in the spill.

Tuesday, June 1 — Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs tells reporters he’s seen the president express “rage” over the spill. Pressed for examples, Gibbs describes his boss’ “clenched jaw” and his order to “plug the damn hole.”

Wednesday, June 2 — In a speech in Pittsburgh, Obama taps into public outrage over the spill to press Congress to scrap billions in oil company tax breaks and pass legislation to help the nation kick a dangerous “fossil fuel addiction.”

Thursday, June 3 — Obama says he is “furious” about the situation in the Gulf and that BP hasn’t moved fast enough to respond to the oil spill. The president says in an interview on CNN’s “Larry King Live” that BP has felt his anger — although he says “venting and yelling at people” won’t solve the problem.

Friday, June 4 — On his third trip to the Gulf Coast since the April 20 Deepwater Horizon rig explosion, Obama rips into BP, asserting, “I don’t want them nickel-and-diming people down here.”

Monday, June 7 — Obama declares his administration will “make sure” that BP fully compensates Gulf Coast individuals and businesses harmed by the spill.

Tuesday, June 8 — Obama says in an interview on NBC’s “Today” show that his talks with Gulf fishermen and oil spill experts are not an academic exercise. They’re “so I know whose ass to kick.” He also lashes at Tony Hayward, the CEO of BP, for saying earlier that “I want my life back,” that the Gulf is “a big ocean” and that “the environmental impact of this disaster is likely to be very, very modest.”

“He wouldn’t be working for me after any of those statements,” Obama says.