Obama Slams BP, Other Oil Companies for Spill Blame Game

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2010— -- President Obama today said his administration is fully aware of the "seriousness and urgency" of the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill, now in its 25th day, and pledged to hold all parties accountable for stopping the leak and cleaning up the mess.

"I saw firsthand the anger and frustration felt by our neighbors in the Gulf," Obama said. "Let me tell you, it is an anger and frustration I share as president."

Obama made the remarks following a meeting with top administration and Cabinet officials to discuss the latest developments in the response effort and to determine the next steps.

"I'm not going to rest or be satisfied until the leak is stopped at the source, the oil in the Gulf is contained and cleaned up and people in the Gulf are able to go back to their lives and livelihoods," he said.

The president also made clear that some of his frustration stems from what he called a "ridiculous spectacle" earlier this week, when executives from the three companies responsible for the damaged rig engaged in finger-pointing before a congressional committee.

On Tuesday, Lamar McKay, chairman of BP America, told a Senate panel, "Liability, blame, fault -- put it over here," referring to Transocean and Halliburton executives sitting next to him.

Each company has defended its own role in the rig operation, hinting that one of the other partners may be more to blame.

"The American people could not have been impressed with that display and I certainly wasn't," Obama said.