Given the oil industry is the major employer outside of Dell, Texas Industries, tourism and the service industries in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, it is no surprise that Obama's team has taken on a rather feebly led BP. There are mid-term elections on 2nd November for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 or 34 up for grabs in the Senate and these will give the President an indication of where he stands for 2012.
BP has not been open about its liabilities and whether it intends to sue some if its suppliers especially Halliburton, the world's second largest oilfield services corporation.