I think you're trying to make an accusation by using the word ‘exploited’ but it's not very meaningful in this context, at least so far.
“In a sprawling, contentious democracy, competing interests suspend their antagonisms only when they have to confront an alarming common threat.” — JACK ROSENTHAL, explanation of the phrase, “ You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.”†
The spill is a crisis, Americans will look to their political leaders to work together and address their concerns about these events. Politicians of all stripes will be under pressure to deliver. You say “this story is being exploited for political purposes” but its the American people who are the driving force.
I think the real discussion will wrap around the substance of those political purposes. Will Obama's offshore oil drilling expansion plans be curtailed or abandoned? Will the regulations be sufficiently toughened? Etc. If you don't think there should be any political repercussions then I think you are seriously misreading the American people.