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Obama: McCain "Should Look in the Mirror" on Energy Reform Record

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July 11, 2008 2:06 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Senator Obama continued to pound Senator McCain’s energy plan at a town hall in Dayton, Ohio today – telling the town hall that McCain needs to "look in the mirror" at his own performance on energy reform as a Senator.

Obama’s criticism follows comments made by McCain earlier in the week in which he said, "Our dangerous dependence on foreign oil has been thirty years in the making, and was caused by the failure of politicians in Washington to think long-term about the future of the country."

Senator Obama shot back today, telling the crowd that McCain was a Senator for 26 of those 30 years in a Washington that has done little to help reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.

"He voted against raising our fuel mileage standards that could have made such a difference over the last couple of decade and he joined George Bush in opposing legislation twice in the last year that included tax credits for more efficient cars. He’s voted against alternative sources of energy. Against clean biofuels. Against solar power. Against wind power. Against an energy bill that represented the largest investment in renewable sources of energy in the history of this country," Obama listed, "So when John McCain talks about the failure of politicians in Washington to do anything about our energy crisis, understand that John McCain should look in the mirror because he has been a part of that failure."

Obama said that McCain’s plan for a gas tax holiday, and expanded oil drilling off America’s coasts to help are ideas that "poll well," but do little to provide immediate relief at the pump.

McCain’s campaign was quick to respond to Obama’s comments, "Today, Barack Obama criticized wind, hydro-power, domestic oil drilling, gas tax relief and nuclear power but did not offer a single proposal to bring down gas prices," McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds says, "The difference is Obama’s ‘Dr. No’ approach believes that every energy source has a problem and John McCain believes that every energy source can be part of the solution Americans need right now."

Last week in Fresno, California McCain suggested as part of his energy plan - a national prize of $300 million for anyone who can develop a more efficient car battery – a proposal which Obama made light of in his town hall today.

"I’m glad that Senator McCain now understands the importance of this battery technology, but it will take a lot more than a cash prize –a "Readers Digest" sweepstakes to achieve this goal. It will take a serious investment."

In the long term, Obama has called for a Venture Capital Fund to provide $50 billion over five years for lab work in the development of clean energy technologies.

The presumptive democratic nominees comments today follow a back and forth over the past weeks between McCain and Obama over energy policy. McCain has dubbed Obama "Dr. No" on energy – and Obama released a TV ad this week connecting McCain with oil and gas companies.

July 11, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (55)

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Obama do something in congress first then talk about what others are doing.

Posted by: john bonehead | Jul 11, 2008 2:15:14 PM

I guess McCain's handler is still pestering Congress about off shore drilling so he can make more money when his buddies pay him off for helping them.
(Or if we charged 400 billion per year as a lease fee per lease, per year, we could all have free gas at his buddies expense.)

Posted by: DAVID NH | Jul 11, 2008 2:16:44 PM

right on obama mccain has been in senate for 25 years and what has he done and you all ask what has obama done well ask your selfs mccain senate 25 years and he has done nothing but oppose everything the last 7 years agreeing with bush i think obama would know being a senator dont belive him look it up its easy go look up mccains voting record and you will see for yourselves!!!!

Posted by: angie | Jul 11, 2008 2:17:43 PM

JOHN BONE HEAD
why dont you look up obama on the us senate page and you will see what obama has done what has mccain done?????????????

Posted by: angie | Jul 11, 2008 2:19:51 PM


Again, the democratic nitwit criticizes others while offering nothing himself. What a hollow air bag!

Posted by: T | Jul 11, 2008 2:22:16 PM

angie

BHO has done absolutely nothing substantial -- two bills introduced. One of those bills was to name a post office. What a hollow bag of air you follow!

Posted by: T | Jul 11, 2008 2:23:32 PM

T
and what just is it that mccain has done so great in his anicent time of senate other than oppose oppose please the man doesnt even remember what he voted and doesnt even remember what he didnt vote oh yeah he opposed the gi bill and in his scary imaganation he thinks he supported and took credit hes a old old man

Posted by: angie | Jul 11, 2008 2:34:34 PM

Molly,

You are right, we can trust McCain.

We can trust him to follow President Bush's lead in sending a message to the world that our leaders can joke about our global problems.
We can trust him to lead us to war but have no idea how to care for our soldiers when they come home. If they come home. Ever.
We can trust him to lie. (G.I bill, Energy, Healthcare, even lied about his own biography yesterday).


Truth is, we should all notice that the gaffes that McCain has sustained this week ( the vet and the librarian in Denver, Energy, and Gramm), should signify the beginning of the swift boat campaign, slanderous remarks and spreading perpetual lies. The problem with this is I believe Americans are really starting to wake-up now and take notice of who has been lying to them. Past and present. Take notice it is coming!!! McLame is in trouble.

Posted by: Lance | Jul 11, 2008 2:47:52 PM

John...don't forget McCain has been on the Senate a lot longer than Obama. He should be the one to lead thsi country.
He is too worried about spending his wife's millions.

Posted by: truthtell | Jul 11, 2008 2:47:56 PM

Angie...OWNED is the key word...

Posted by: militarymom | Jul 11, 2008 2:54:32 PM

McCain is the problem voting against every conceivable rational solution to our energy issues for 26 years except if big oil got involved and then he voted for that. McCain and others in Washington are the reason we have no energy policy except big oil and why oil is still the major source for our energy needs. Time for a change!!

Posted by: eyeonyou | Jul 11, 2008 2:57:31 PM

If exploring for oil was like exploring for new wifes, McCain might be able to solve the problem

Posted by: Jim | Jul 11, 2008 2:59:40 PM

Republicans need to seek an energy vision that see what America needs long term that is safe, dependable, and renewable, as opposed the selfish vision of what their pocket books will look like lined with oil money! Time to see the big picture for once.

Posted by: eyeonyou | Jul 11, 2008 3:03:36 PM

I don't know about the rest of you but eyeonyou is my hero!!!!

Posted by: Lance | Jul 11, 2008 3:05:32 PM

Senator Obama has held an elected position since 1996 and made many promises during that time but has yet authored one piece of legislation that has helped every American in some way. He is just hot air and certainly has no right to critize Senator McCain. Obama is a dud in every way. Senator McCain's energy policy has some merit. Senator Obama has no energy policy.

Posted by: Mary | Jul 11, 2008 3:18:44 PM

MARY
wake up from the dream world

Posted by: angie | Jul 11, 2008 3:21:28 PM

Would someone please explain something to me? Why would anyone vote for a candidate who has said clearly that he is going to continue policies of George Bush? Voting for such a candidate (in this case, McCain) is irrational in my estimation. George Bush has defiled and disgraced this country in every way, and set it on a downward path that promises to continue unless we get someone in the White House who at least intends to stop the bleeding and turn things around. McCain has said clearly that he intends to continue following Bush's policies in many areas. Please someone explain why anyone would vote for him in light of this. Thank you.

Posted by: MikeinPhilly | Jul 11, 2008 3:48:47 PM

Would you Obama supporters who are critizing me for my post please tell me about one piece of legislation that Obama started and finished and was passed that has made your and my life better? I am waiting.

Posted by: Mary | Jul 11, 2008 4:02:06 PM

McCain: he doesn't know the difference between shias and sunis. he doesn't know the role of the president in iran, he doesn't know the difference between iraq and iran. he doesn't know much about the economy, he doesn't even remember saying de doesn't know how he voted on birth control legislation, he has 61 flip flops to date, and best of all he clashed with a Vietnam Vet about lying on how he has voted for them. (See you tube , McCain clashes with Vietnam Vet video), someone on this site who is voting for mccain please tell me why?

Posted by: becky | Jul 11, 2008 4:09:00 PM

Now, Dr. NO comes out and telling people that he is all for energy reform. Watch this guy forks! He is acting like a communist, talk this way but will do differently!

Last time I check, all Obama had done was talk! He is continuing talking his way up! Unfortunately, half of Democrats don’t want to listen to him any more!

Posted by: Sally | Jul 11, 2008 4:14:12 PM

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