Analysis: De-energizing the critics

A key federal appeals court has upheld President Barack Obama's greenhouse gas regulations. Gasoline prices are suddenly falling. And the administration is set to approve Shell's first drilling in the Arctic and craft a five-year plan for more "targeted" oil and gas leases in the sensitive region.

Throw in the fact that the administration has delayed or slowed several controversial regulations, and it's pretty clear that the president has tried his best to neutralize his critics and keep his energy and environmental agenda from becoming a liability in the November election.