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Obama: McCain "Should Look in the Mirror" on Energy Reform Record
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ShareJuly 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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Sally: Speak for yourself and not for our party. We are all listening to him.
Posted by: becky | Jul 11, 2008 4:16:48 PM
MARY
for one thing he passed legislation for healthcare for children he passed legislation for more education so people could get better jobs mary instead of bashing him take the time research him on your own your own find the facts the encylclopedia would be a good place to start and work your way to us senate look at his voting record
Posted by: angie | Jul 11, 2008 4:16:55 PM
SALLY
well at least dr no makes sense unlike mccain i dont even think he knows what an energry crisis is
Posted by: angie | Jul 11, 2008 4:19:08 PM
Should Obama's real name be Mr. Regret or Mr. Clarify?
Posted by: Just Curious | Jul 11, 2008 4:29:26 PM
Becky, if you would really do your research, you will find that most of those bills credited to Obama was started by other senators and Emil Jones stole them and gave to Senator Obama. Senator Obama needed a resume. After all, he was already looking to move up to a higher office. I have seen interviews of his former state senators. They said nothing nice about the man. Voting 130 times PRESENT.
Posted by: Mary | Jul 11, 2008 4:37:13 PM
It's quiet again......Mary must be off studying. Let's hope and pray.
P.S. Mary, Please don't vote because you are so uninformed!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lance | Jul 11, 2008 4:37:38 PM
Obama graduated top of his class at Harvard Law School, then was a professor of constitutional law. Served on the IL senate for a few years, was involved in his community fighting for people's rights, and then won a seat in the senate.
McCain fought courageously for his country, served time in the Hanoi Hilton, delivered beer for awhile, and then became a senator. He just disregarded the only piece of legislation he ever helped pass with his campaign finance flub. He's being sued because of it, you know.
One thing you can say about Obama; he galvanized the country and inspired Americans to be proactive and to get involved. That's why 70,000+ people will show up to listen to this man. McCain can't touch that and he shouldn't. He's out of his league.
Posted by: sleepless in CA | Jul 11, 2008 4:46:28 PM
"We are all listening to him."
Better listen closely. He lies a lot.
Posted by: Mack | Jul 11, 2008 4:46:43 PM
"That's why 70,000+ people will show up to listen to this man."
More than that used to follow the Grateful Dead. Bots seem to have a lot in common with dead heads.
Posted by: Mack | Jul 11, 2008 4:48:54 PM
Mary the key words here are co-sponsored... I did not say he created them all, but he did fight to pass them and they passed. I do believe that is how the system works. And please name those who believe she stoled their bills and who are not found of him? I would like to go to their sites and read on that. After all, this is all about being informed on the truth.
Posted by: becky | Jul 11, 2008 4:49:13 PM
Wilderrr, unfortunately for you, I am a very educated pretty woman who has supported Hillary from the beginning and still want to write in her name on the ballot in November!
Thanks Thomas,
You tell it all! He is one of a typical Obama's fans who are willing to lick Obama's shoes if asked!
Posted by: Sally | Jul 11, 2008 4:51:32 PM
Sally and Mack: OMG! can we not grow up! If you want McCain go for it, I just pray that if he wins you guys are next in line to loose your job, home, health care...need I say more.
Posted by: becky | Jul 11, 2008 4:59:02 PM
Poor Obama, he's really starting to show what a novice he is.
Posted by: Jo | Jul 11, 2008 5:06:54 PM
Becky,
...and you truly believe that Obama is a savior who will lift up this country to prosperity and peace if he gets elected?????? Use your wisdom and don’t listen to what your brain is telling you!!!!
Posted by: Sally | Jul 11, 2008 5:07:56 PM
70 thousand people showed up for Obama because The Decemberists (a very popular Oregon based rock band) showed up to play for free. A little fact the media conveniently left out. Lol.
Nice try though.
Posted by: Jo | Jul 11, 2008 5:09:15 PM
--Becky, I do not live in the state of Illinois and the bills you mentioned were passed in the Illinois State Senate. I was really talking about his sponsored bills in Washinton DC. Tell me one bill he sponsored that will make my life better. I am waiting to be educated. Thanks.
Posted by: Mary | Jul 11, 2008 5:12:15 PM
I think we need to change the headline to “Obama, you should look in the mirror on anything you have to say to American people!”
Posted by: Sally | Jul 11, 2008 5:13:40 PM
Seems like every day, George W McCain just gets more and more confused.
Can't remember this, doesn't remember that...mixes up countries and who the terrorists are...long eight second pauses after questions...has to have Lieberman whispering answers in his ear.
Gotta feel sorry for the guy. It's difficult watching someone who was a hero forty years ago declining so rapidly.
I hope his doctors can do something for him.
Posted by: wilderrr | Jul 11, 2008 5:20:02 PM
nearly three decades of getting on his knees to big oil. gee, thanks mccain. now we're to believe he wants to change things? does anyone really believe this guy? please.
Posted by: archibaldbarisol | Jul 11, 2008 5:36:01 PM
To many of us, Obama is getting more confused...
He supported public finance one day, the next day he opposed it!
He spoke against Iraq war but he voted for funding it!
He had never heard the hateful speeches from Rev Wright when he was in Trinity church and a week later in a racial speech, he confirmed to Americans that “yes, I have heard them….
Dr. No, you are confusing!
Posted by: Sally | Jul 11, 2008 5:41:24 PM
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