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Obama Meets With 'Swift Boats' Bankroller T. Boone Pickens

August 17, 2008 1:07 PM

RENO, Nev. -- At the Summit Casino-Resort, Sunday morning, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., met with oil man T. Boone Pickens, now a proponent of weaning the United States from foreign fuel, who was a funder of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the group that helped defeat Sen. John Kerry's Democratic presidential run in 2004.

"How does it feel meeting with someone who tore down your Democratic colleague in the last election?" a reporter asked Obama.

"You know, he has a lot longer track record than that," Obama said. "He has been doing -- He is, you know, a legendary entrepreneur and there are a lot of things that I think we have to unify the country around -- it is having an intelligent energy policy. Everybody knows if we keep on going on the same track that we are going, that we are giving our wealth away.  We are funding both sides of the war on terror. 

"We are going to be, over the long term, putting enormous pressure on ordinary families here in America who just aren't going to be able to afford, you know, skyrocketing gasoline prices and home heating prices," Obama continued. "So, this is one of those issues that, I think, should unify the country -- and that is what we are going to be talking about."

Pickens gave the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth $3 million for its controversial and often fact-challenged campaign to discredit Kerry's Vietnam War record.

- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller

August 17, 2008 in Obama, Barack | Permalink | Share | User Comments (114)

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At least Kerry served in the military. Onothing's lack of a record, military or otherwise, speaks for itself.

Posted by: mikewolf9 | Aug 17, 2008 11:34:14 PM

Pickens has realized what a mistake it was to smear Kerry instead of debating policies and proposals. He is reformed and is trying to make amends for his failings. Obama is smart enough to realize that Picken's energy proposal makes sense.

Posted by: miles1967 | Aug 17, 2008 11:19:50 PM

Obama wants a surge in Afghanistan without an exit strategy. Warmonger by his own acusations

Posted by: Jed | Aug 17, 2008 11:03:23 PM

T. Boone Pickens likes to meet his prey. If in doubt, ask Kerry.

Posted by: Alan | Aug 17, 2008 11:02:25 PM

Swift Boaters served with Kerry. They didn't like him. Face it. Obama will be great. He's in it to line his pockets.

Posted by: mike | Aug 17, 2008 11:00:28 PM

I wonder how Obama has done in attempting, for a third time, getting a "real" birth certificate (COLB). Now, you know why Obama was in Hawaii!

Posted by: Newt | Aug 17, 2008 10:58:29 PM

Dean & Obama, the dynamic duo. This is the beginning of the end for the White House in '08, for the democratic party.

Posted by: Oscar | Aug 17, 2008 10:53:46 PM

Liar, and phony = John McCain.

John McCain has lied his whole life!!! He even collaborted with the enemy during war. John McCain collabortaed with the Vietnamese during a time of war, and even admitted to doing it in his own book.
JOHN McCAIN SHOULD NEVER BE PRESIDENT!!! JOHN McCAIN HAS ALREADY BEEN A TRAITOR TO HIS OWN COUNTRY, AND JOHN McCAIN HIMSELF HAS ADMITTED BETRAYING HIS COUNTRY IN HIS BOOK!
JOHN MMcCAIN HAS ALREADY ADMITTED THAT HE COLLABORATED WITH THE ENEMY DURING WAR!!!! When John McCain had the opportunity to put his country FIRST, JOHN McCAIN FAILED TO DO THAT AS A SOLDIER!!!!!
When John McCain was asked to show that he has integrity, that he is honest, that he would stand by the pledge he made to God, and his wife, John McCain also failed to do that by cheating on his wife, betraying his first wife, and his children.
So John McCain is a phony, John McCain has ZERO integrity!
The fact is John McCain has ALREADY FAILED at putting his country first, John McCain collaborated with the enemy in time of war, THAT IS NOT PUTTING YOUR COUNTYRY FIRST!!!
And the fact is John McCain also betrayed his contract with God, by cheating on his wife, and dumping her, and his children like they were garbage!!!!

John McCain is a hypocrite!!! John McCain is an adulterer, John McCain has already betrayed his own country, John McCain is a liar!!

Posted by: Paul | Aug 17, 2008 10:53:30 PM

Why was Obama in Houston a few weeks ago, in a meeting with Big Oil? Obama was smiling with the Big Oil exectutives after the meeting. Can you say $12 gallon for gas, the Obama way !!!

Posted by: Bret | Aug 17, 2008 10:50:46 PM

Jezebella, maybe you got the point but most Americans have not gotten the point..and that is why George Bush got two terms in office..get ready for President McCain. Heaven help us all!

Posted by: Stanley | Aug 17, 2008 10:50:14 PM

melissa, McCain is the smartest mind that we have had in 40 years. He is brilliant and understand the physiology of wars and how its good for the economy. Can't you see how our economy is healthy at the moment? Its because of the just war that we are currently fighting. Obama is for world peace and he does not know how to pick a fight and start a war..why would you even consider voting for Obama is beyond my comprehension. McCain for a strong economy and continued prosperity..The status quo works. McCain's my man for the next four years, and we need his wisdom in the White House..why are you laughing?

Posted by: Stanley | Aug 17, 2008 10:44:20 PM

stanley we do get your point.... if u just keep hammering away at it over and over it doesn't get more persuasive it gets less............

Posted by: jezebella | Aug 17, 2008 10:38:37 PM


i threw up a little when someone said mccain is smart and wiser than obama..lol
who are you trying to kid?
the man jokes about other countries then talks about doing the right things and getting our status back in the world..
and he admitted not knowing economy on national tv MORE than once then said he doesnt know where people get that idea from? mmmm
and that he cares about the little guy obama is just too rich!
right thats why mccain thinks your problems are in your head and that we are doing better than we were 8 years ago..lol

Posted by: melissa | Aug 17, 2008 10:34:21 PM

I am not a democrat,nor am I a Republican. I am an independent voter. I'll tell you this though! The Republicans are much better at spin,negative ads and dirty politics and that is what win elections in America. So get ready for John McCain as the next president of these United States. You don't believe me? Watch!

Posted by: Stanley | Aug 17, 2008 10:32:14 PM

Stanley,

>>"Have you had the opportunity to take one day and listen to the Republican talking heads on radio?"

Yes, I have.. I'm a Democrat who listens to right wing radio pretty much every day in my car. It's good to know how the other side thinks. I have to say though, I find it sad and sickening...

I wish the level of political discourse in this country could go up a few notches, both in civility and in intelligence.

I know where you're coming from though.

Posted by: Chris P | Aug 17, 2008 10:17:02 PM

McCain is older than Obama and that means that he is wiser. Obama is young and unwise! The older guy believes that more war is the answer and the younger guy believes in strengthening the economy and seeking world peace. I am going with the older guy because he is wiser..Choose ye this day whom ye shall vote for. Age=wisdom=more war=prosperity=America the great

Posted by: Stanley | Aug 17, 2008 10:13:43 PM

Dont listen to them Stanley, McCain says he'll stick up for the little guy, those of us who only make $4 million a year.

Posted by: Thatz What She Said | Aug 17, 2008 10:08:41 PM

I see no problem with Obama meeting with T. Boone Pickens. Obama is learning that he has been wrong on many issues and is changing his ways. That is Hope We Can believe In.

Posted by: Bill | Aug 17, 2008 10:08:05 PM

The only reason that wind is uneconomical in the US is the extensive subsidization of the coal and nuclear industries.

Posted by: Mike | Aug 17, 2008 10:06:38 PM

T-Bone has extensive investments in companies who make uneconomical but politically correct alternative fuel vehicles and wind turbines....facts that are easily discovered by the most sophomoric, inexperienced reporter (unless promoting democrats for the whitehouse with every low rent story). He's marketing the gullible Obama as he did pelosi, who is an investor. Short story, sustained high gas prices make him even more money.

Posted by: notafooleither | Aug 17, 2008 10:03:42 PM

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