Even when gas prices hit $4/gallon nationally, many wondered if there was a chance the Congress would approve a bipartisan deal on energy policy.  The answer is becoming all too clear now as lawmakers maneuver for political advantage in this election year.

Today a bill on speculation in oil futures markets will run aground in the Senate, and really, no one should be surprised.

Both parties say the other is to blame. 

Republicans point the finger at Democrats, accusing leaders of doing all they can to prevent votes on plans to spur more domestic oil and gas exploration.

Democrats say the Republicans are guilty of blocking a series of different energy bills on speculation and more.

Republicans blame Democrats for putting the entire federal budget on hold in key House and Senate Committees, in order to block votes on offshore oil and gas drilling.

Democrats blame the "two oil men" in the White House for forging policies that did nothing but focus on the idea of, "drill, drill, drill."

In other words, there's no real effort at compromise here in the Congress.  Everyone is hamstrung by their party stances and by maneuvering for the elections.

Judging from talks I've had with lawmakers the past few days, hardly anyone is interested in a deal, because they believe their party is "right" on this issue.

I asked members of both parties if they were worried about being blamed for gridlock in Congress.  None of them were.  They were ready to make the argument that the other party was the one standing in the way of energy progress.

That kind of confidence has only stiffened the resolve of members in both parties to hold their ground.

For example, Republicans say they will block any bill in the Senate that doesn't deal with energy in the next week before lawmakers leave on an August break.

"We think there is nothing more important that we can do right now than to deal with the Number One issue of the country," said Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY.)

Leadership is what's needed on this, both in Congress and at the White House.  No one in those ranks have shown interest in compromising on energy.

Welcome to Gridlock, Version 2008.