Obama: McCain’s Energy Plan Just a Bunch of Gimmicks
LAS VEGAS, Nev — Barack Obama put some new spin on what’s become a familiar energy-related attack on the campaign trail — accusing John McCain of promoting an energy plan full of gimmicks that would do nothing to actually reduce the price of gas at the pump.
Speaking at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve, a large park and water facility that’s a model of energy efficiency, Obama said McCain is “offering the same old gimmicks that will provide almost no short-term relief to folks who are struggling with high gas prices; gimmicks that will only increase our oil addiciotn for another four years.” Among them: McCain’s proposals for a federal gas tax holiday and his plan to open more offshore drilling.
Obama seemed incredulous that McCain himself acknowledged that more drilling wouldn’t effect the price of oil — but would have a positive “psychological” impact. “In case you were wondering, that’s Washington-speak for, ‘It polls well,’” he said. “Gimmicks like the gas tax holiday and offshore drilling might poll well these days. But I’m not running for President to do what polls well, I’m running to do what’s right for America.”
Obama even ridiculed McCain’s plan to offer $300 million to anyone who can come up with a next generation car battery that would help lessen dependence on foreign oil — a plan his top political adviser David Axelrod seemed to back yesterday — calling it a bounty. “I commend him for his desire to accelerate the search for a battery that can power the cars of the future,” he said. “But I don’t think a [$300 million] prize is enough. When John F. Kennedy decided that we were going to put a man on the moon, he didn’t put a bounty out for some rocket scientist to win – he put the full resources of the United States government behind the project.”
The Illinois Senator also criticized his own party — saying he’s against more government so long as the energy progress can be made with less. “I’m a Democrat, and there have been times in the past when I think Democrats have gotten so regulation happy that we don’t think in terms of just efficiency,” he said. “Sometimes, Republicans attack us as just being in favor of government.”
“I’m not in favor of government just for the sake of government, there’s nothing inherent about government that makes me want to have more of it. I want enough government to do what needs to be done.”
“Al Gore I thought had some good ideas in terms of reinventing government,” he said. “Not all of them got implemented. I want reinventing government 2.0 under the Obama administration.
Tags: barack obama, energy, mccain, Nevada
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ARE YOU KIDDING!?!?!?!
Obama’s answer to energy is to RAISE TAXES…that’s ALL! Obama is the gimmick
Well spoke Obama.
The country needs your type of vision
[...] has been mainly stressing his proposals on the campaign trail and laid off his rival while Obama has trashed his proposals as “gimmicks.” But today the presumptive GOP nominee went back on [...]
Is that the best NOBAMA can do? At least Mr. McCain has a plan; and, he is talking about it.
nObama
Just say nObama!
America can not afford Obama. We can not afford further domestic terror attacks, We can not afford the liberal values that he would bring. We can not afford the continued give-a-way programs that the Democrats have become known for. We can not afford the divisive accord that he would bring to Washington and America.
We can not afford Obama
is he worried because he didn’t think of it first? But then again he hasn’t had too many ideas of his own. Most of the good ones came from Hillary!
Obama and the Democrats criticize every McCain energy proposal. They do so because to agree would alienate the environmentalists, big oil haters and the liberals that see drilling and nuclear as too dangerous to use. Obama’s proposal is to enact a wind fall profits tax on the oil companies, shut down the speculators, conserve, and spend 10 billion a year on alternative energy in hopes a good one is found. If we tax the companies that take the risks and find the oil, prices are going to go up. Obama will also have to have strict price controls to keep the oil companies from passing the tax hike on to consumers. My biggest concern is his liberal ideology; he is stuck with it, otherwise he loses his base. The only change we might see resulting in his energy policy is more Americans owning and riding bicycles.
Sen. Obama criticized Sen. McCain on his energy proposals? This really helps the debate. It’s easier to criticize than put forth your own ideas and put them on the table. Evidently you don’t have the facts on your side if you can only criticize and not propose ideas. The AMERICAN PEOPLE are best served when there is a healthy debate on the issues. Sen. McCain is putting ideas on the table to begin the discussion. Let’s see if Sen. Obama can come to the table and put down some of his own proposal and let debate begin.
obama is a gimmick. And a liar.
Okay Obama, we all know you can ridicule McCains plans, so what are you going to do? Obama always talks in general, never gets to specific, well you win this election, Obama it will all be on you and guess what, you will not solve this problem or any other this country has, because the only thing different about you is the color of your skin, otherwise you promise the same kind of things that every candidate in the past has promised, I know I have been voting for 42 years. Obama isn’t special, and if he wins and all the confetti is done falling and people are done with parties, then it will be time for him to put action where his mouth is….No doubt he will do something, but how many of his “change”supporters will like the changes he actually is cabable of making?
WOW–you McCain people might consider finding the answers to your “NObama” (cute) questions if you
1) picked up one of his books;
2) try reading acredited journalism; and
3) checked out his policy answers on http://www.barackobama.com
All the answers are available, so you have nothing but your laziness to blame.
So what is Obama’s Plan? What has Obama changed during the last 4 years as Senator? Nothing! So what will he change in Washington? Nothing!
Obama keeps criticizing and ridiculing any plan that makes sense. Why doesn’t he come up with creative alternatives then?
This is in reply to JoeAmerican.If you want another domestic terror attack,then McCain is your man.He thrives on it ,judging by past statements,made not only by him,but by those around him.I don”t think that liberal values are in and of themselves a bad thing.They are a platform for tolerance and reason,not to mention intelligent problem solving,something that I personally feel McCain is sorely lacking.I don”t find his singing to the tune of the Beach Boys song “Barbra Ann” the words”bomb,bomb,bomb,bomb,bomb Iran” the least bit amusing,but it does reflect his lack of concern and respect for the American people,since we would be the ones hurt by such a thoughtless policy.I,myself have not been impressed by either party over the last eight years,but to speak about Democratic liberals with giveaway programs is,I must say,ironic,when one considers the amount of debt that the Republican administration has leveled upon us,helped by complicit Democrats.Our economy is in ruins.Actually,we can”t afford either party,if they are going to continue down this path.And we certainly can”t afford another war.We can”t even stabilize Iraq or get out of Afghanistan.I think it”s time to take care of America first.When we have our own house in order,then we will have the right to give advice,good,sound advice to others who ask for it.Enough of this immature sword rattling.The American people deserve better.After all,we”re footing the bill.
Wait til you foot the new tax bill and all the socialist programs obama wants! Then you will know what footing the bill is. We will pay for the health costs, we always have…they are free now! that’s why my insurance keeps going up up up! It is passed down to the consumer that pays!!
Al Gores’ plan is to add to the 100 million he already made off his “ideas” on how to use alternative engery that also cost almost twice what we have now. Yes I see that working along with the taxes.
[...] Calls McCain’s Plan “Same Old Gimmicks”: Speaking yesterday at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve, Obama continued to ridicule McCain’s proposed gas tax holiday as a short-term non-solution. [...]
Just a gimmick? Well, lets say the “nay sayers” are right and it will take 30 years or so (taking the extreme number) for the oil that is produced to finally hit market. Won’t that be 30 years of jobs for Americans? What is wrong with that? If a “gimmick” got me a job, I wouldn’t mind that “gimmick” at all.
All of Obama’s and the Dems plan is sell their global warming issue. If anyone actually thinks that increasing oil production and refineries will not bring the price of oil down is insane. Bush was critized for not doing more to make OPEC produce more oil, yet we won’t try to produce more which would also create jobs. Obama says that it wouldn’t have any effect for 30 years, the Dems also stated this 10 years ago during the Clinton Adm. and then he veto’d the legislation to drill in Alaska. The fact is that oil is not the only answer, but right now it is what we need. Until alternative energy is economically feasible we need oil.
Obama’s campaign is about gimmicks…..one after the other cleverly described as “change” for change sake! How many gimmicks make a change? will have to look in the crystal ball because you will not get a straight answer from Obama….expand oil supply…NOT, increase nuke power plants…NOT, follow his promise to use public funds and follow all other presidential candidates….NOT, tell the truth that McCain did not cause the failed levees…NOT, lead with programs to increase economic activity…NOT…tax increase right around the corner, NAFTA changes threatened….NOT…made pac to talk for change but do nothing…..when will these gimmicks end and we see the real candidate?