"Dogma Of Dependence On Foreign Oil"
LAS VEGAS, NV - In wrapping up the West Coast swing of his two-week energy tour, John McCain gave something of a closing argument today, summarizing the proposals of the last 10 days and giving them a new name: "The Lexington Project."
"In recent days, I have set before the American people an energy plan, the Lexington - the Lexington Project, the Lexington Project - remember that name," McCain said. "Named for the town where Americans asserted their independence once before. And let it begin today with this commitment: In a world of hostile and unstable suppliers of oil, this nation will achieve strategic independence by the year 2025."
McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers said that "strategic independence" is when "oil is no longer the primary fuel for transportation and when the oil cartel no longer has the ability to undermine our economy or the paychecks of the American worker."
Since last Monday, McCain has proposed lifting the moratorium on offshore oil exploration, putting the country on a path to build 45 new nuclear plants by 2030, cracking down on speculation in the oil futures market, committing $2 billion dollars per year to clean coal research, a $300 million prize for the first company that can create a zero-emissions automobile battery and a $5,000 consumer tax credit for the purchase of any zero-emissions vehicles. All of this is in addition to the cap-and-trade system he has proposed as a senator.
McCain mostly avoided criticizing his opponent this morning, only lashing out at "opponents of domestic production," a label he has previously said applies to Barack Obama, who opposes offshore drilling.
"Opponents of domestic production cling to their position even as the price of foreign oil has doubled and doubled again," McCain said. "They were against it when a gallon of gas cost two dollars. They're still against it when a gallon of gas cost well over four dollars. And we're left to wonder what it will take to shake their faith in this dogma of dependence on foreign oil."
But the McCain campaign was not so shy this morning during a conference call with reporters. Sen. John Kyl (R-Ariz.) referred to Obama as "Dr. No" and said Obama has opposed numerous proposals to confront the energy crisis.
"It's a very negative approach that basically says there are no answers to the hurt Americans are suffering right now," Kyl said.
(NBC/NJ's ADAM AIGNER-TREWORGY)
Here's a few novel suggestions; 1.Stop American multinational oil crooks from manipulating prices, make them pay taxes, fix it so they can't hide taxes they don't pay. 2. Make friends with Castro before he or the brother dies; they can help us make friends with Hugo Chavez and stop trying to manipulate the Venzuelan oil prices.
3. Stop Amrican oil companys from manipulating the oil situation in Nigeria; people are getting killed. Get American troops out of Iraq and stop manipulating the oil prices (let the Saudi's sell it to the Chinese. Finally, stop outsourcing American jobs so we can afford to buy the stuff. We don't have time to wait on building electric cars or filling stations. I need to get to work today!
P.S. Anyone remember Exxon Valdez, who just got away with murder after 20 years. Mess up the eco system and somewhere down the road we could be looking at another New Orleans.