There is a whole lot of politicking going on—statewide and nationally.
On Friday of this past week, US Senator, Mary Landrieu indicated that she was a member of the “gang of ten” who have cobbled a solution to the energy crises.The John Kennedy campaign has over the past couple of weeks been focusing upon energy issues and saying that Landrieu has been ineffective on that issue.
Here is the e-release from the Landrieu campaign from Friday:
A bipartisan coalition of 10 Senators, including United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today unveiled a sweeping energy proposal to lower gas prices at the pump, decrease our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and move America into automobiles running on alternative fuels.
“America is confronting an energy crisis of high prices with no end in sight, and the Senate has come to a screeching halt,” Sen. Landrieu told reporters at a Capitol Hill News conference. “But the ‘Gang of 10’ has reached a potential breakthrough. This bill would do more to lower gas prices at the pump than any other plan. A significant increase in production would send a powerful signal to markets.
“We will begin to drill for oil and gas on vast tracts of American land using American workers and producing American oil and gas. We will also launch an unprecedented effort to finally break this country’s addition to gasoline with a bold investment in alternative fuels.
“After weeks of working on a bipartisan compromise, the ‘Gang of 10’ has produced a framework that has the potential to become law and to move the country forward.”
The bipartisan coalition of five Democrats and five Republicans from different parts of the country, known as the “Gang of 10,” includes Sens. Landrieu, Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., Kent Conrad, D-N.D., John Thune, R-S.D., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., Mark Pryor, D-Ark., Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and Ben Nelson, D-Neb.
“Our country faces a critical challenge because of skyrocketing energy costs,” the 10 Senators said in a joint statement. “This growing crisis undermines the budgets of families across the nation. Congress needs to take immediate action. This is not a Democratic issue, or a Republican issue, it is an issue that affects all of us. As a group, we are committed to working together in a bipartisan manner to develop comprehensive energy legislation. Americans are looking for solutions. We need to act now.”
The comprehensive New Energy Reform Act of 2008 — known as the “New ERA”— calls for opening as much as 200 million acres of the outer continental shelf to oil and gas leasing as well as a focused effort to transition the nation’s motor vehicles to run on fuels other than gasoline and diesel. To ease gas prices in the interim, the proposal includes an increased domestic production, significant conservation provisions and consumer tax credits.
The Senators also welcomed the news that Senate Leadership is adopting the group’s proposal to convene a summit of energy experts to provide advice on securing America’s energy independence. The 10 Senators first proposed the idea of a bipartisan energy summit in a letter to Senate Leadership on June 26.
Offshore Drilling and Revenue Sharing
The “Gang of 10’s”plan opens the largest new territory in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to oil and gas drilling since Sen. Landrieu opened 8.3 million acres in 2006 as part of the Domenici-LandrieuGulf of Mexico Energy Security Act. Under that bill, 37.5 percent of the revenues are shared with the four states that support the production, Louisiana, TexasMississippi and Alabama. Revenue sharing in Domenici-Landrieu served as a model for revenue sharing under the “Gang of 10” plan.
The “New ERA” plan opens 38 million acres of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and allows states on the SoutheastAtlanticCoast to pursue energy exploration, excluding a 50-mile coastal buffer. These areas will be eligible for revenue sharing similar to that created by the Domenici-Landrieu plan.
The states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia will be allowed to opt into drilling off of their Atlantic coasts and receive 37.5 percent of revenues for drilling within 100 miles of their shores. If two or more neighboring states opt in, they would get 50 percent. The plan potentially opens as much as 165 million acres to energy exploration along the U.S. Atlantic coast.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) estimates these areas in the Gulf and Atlantic could contain as much as 14 billion barrels of oil, which could fuel 8 million cars for 60 years and heat 400,000 households for 60 years. In addition to oil, MMS estimates these regions could contain more than 80 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, which is enough to heat 15 million households for 85 years.
The plan will also fund the first ever state-of-the-art seismic inventory of offshore areas currently off-limits to production, and creates a non-partisan commission to make recommendations to Congress on future areas that should be opened for production.
Investments in Conservation and Alternative Energy
The bipartisan compromise includes a significant investment in alternative fuels, dedicating at least $20 billion to push 85 percent of America’s motor vehicles to non-petroleum-based fuels within 20 years. To accelerate the transition, the plan calls for research and development funding, help for U.S. automakers to make the transition, and tax credits to incentivize the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles as well as to retrofit existing vehicles.
The bipartisan compromise also includes a conservation and efficiency component that includes tax incentives for consumers, including extending and expanding the $2,500 tax credit to purchase a hybrid vehicles, and for the building of infrastructure to support alternative fuels.
A nonpartisan group of business and former military leaders, Securing America’s Energy Future, said the following about the “Gang of 10” plan: “The importance of this proposal cannot be overstated. It represents a true bipartisan compromise and a workable national strategy for eliminating the profound risks of U.S. oil dependence for future generations.”
New spending and lost revenues in the plan will be offset with tax loophole closers and new revenues.
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Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., discusses new offshore drilling proposed by the bipartisan “Gang of 10” senators at a Capitol Hill press conference. Two other members of the group, Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., look on. [CREDIT: U.S. Senate Photographer]
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Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and other members of the bipartisan “Gang of 10” senators listen as Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., (obscured) discusses the group’s energy plan at a Capitol Hill press conference. L-R: Chambliss (obscured); Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark.; Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.; Landrieu; Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb.; Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.; Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. [CREDIT: U.S. Senate Photographer]
·http://landrieu.senate.gov/media/G-10-3.jpg
Members of the bipartisan “Gang of 10” senators listen as Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., discusses the group’s energy plan at a Capitol Hill press conference. L-R: Sens. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.; Landrieu; Kent Conrad, D-N.D.; Ben Nelson, D-Neb. [CREDIT: U.S. Senate Photographer]
However, the Kennedy campaign responded that a future plan was not good enough or quick enough and that with Senator Landrieu’s clout, she should have acted more vigorously.
On Friday, the Kennedy campaign released this response:
KENNEDY STATEMENT ON LANDRIEU ENERGY PLAN: “MORE TALK, NO ACTION”
Baton Rouge, LA: Republican United States senate candidate John Kennedy today released the following statement in response to a new senate plan co-sponsored by Mary Landrieu to create yet another commission to study our nation's energy Crisis.
“After casting party line votes against oil shale development and drilling in the OCS, Mary Landrieu today had the audacity to announce her solution on energy is to create a commission to study the problem and enact a massive tax on families. Mary Landrieu’s plan on energy is outrageous, and it’s why Louisianans are fed up with Washington politics as usual."
"Even worse, this last minute shell game OF commissions, hybrids and tax hikes was dropped at our doorstep after Washington politicians like Mary Landrieu voted to leave Washington for summer vacation having done nothing to meet the energy needs of families who are hurting. The record now shows that when it counted, Mary Landrieu sided with extremists against drilling and put party politics over our energy needs as gas prices skyrocket.”
"As Senator, I will never play politics with our energy needs."
ON Sunday, Senator Lindsey Graham, said he would urge the John McCain to ask President Bush to call Congress back to work before the five-week summer hiatus ends.
``We should go back in session,'' Graham said on ``Fox News Sunday.''
Yet, some would say that if Senator Landrieu has all the clout to just turn around the energy crises, then, certainly President Bush would be able to do so himself by executive orders. Then, that’s politics.
On Monday, the Landrieu campaign responded to John Kennedy’s criticism of her plan by releasing the following:
NEW ORLEANS - After weeks of falsely accusing U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., of opposing expanded offshore oil and gas exploration on the outer continental shelf, Senate candidate John Kennedy attacked her bipartisan plan to open up to 200 million new acres to production. The New Energy Reform Act would open up to 38 million new acres in the Gulf of Mexico alone, meaning more income for Louisiana because of Sen. Landrieu's efforts to secure revenue sharing for the state.
"If it wasn't clear before, John Kennedy made sure to tell everyone that he opposes real solutions to America's energy crisis," Landrieu campaign spokesman Scott Schneider said. "Sen. Landrieu joined a group of five Republicans and four other Democrats to propose a commonsense, bipartisan plan that will expand drilling, increase conservation and make America more energy independent. In response, John Kennedy played politics."
Opposing the bill means that John Kennedy opposes the following provisions to lower gas prices and move America toward greater energy independence:
Opening up to 200 million new acres on the outer continental shelf to oil and gas production, and 38 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico alone;
Requiring that oil and gas produced in new domestic drilling to be used in the country;
Moving cars and trucks toward non-oil fuel sources to decrease America's dependence on foreign energy production;
Providing tax incentives to American drivers who move toward alternative fuel vehicles;
Researching and developing biofuels;
And investing in domestic nuclear production.
"John Kennedy is one confused politician," Schneider said. "He goes on talk radio daily to highlight the importance of new energy solutions, but right when we have a bipartisan, passable plan to implement a comprehensive energy solution, he calls it 'outrageous.' He has no idea who he is or what he stands for.
"Mr. Kennedy should stop wasting his time playing politics and start trying to come up with a solution to America's energy crisis. His only energy plan is more hot air."
Obama versus McCain
Today, the Louisiana Democratic party blasted John McCain.One would think that they believe Louisiana could be Obama country although every poll indicates otherwise.However, there are Democratic candidates throughout the state who would fare better in their races if Obama were to do better statewide.Here is the most recent Louisiana Democrat e-blast:
Good morning,
The best debate yesterday on Sunday talk shows was between John McCain and his advisors. On Fox News Sunday, Lindsey Graham said raising the Social Security payroll tax was "a dumb idea," even though McCain himself said he was open to the idea last weekend. Meanwhile on CBS's Face the Nation, McCain economic advisor Carly Fiorina said McCain had been consistent on this issue for "many, many months." Fiorina must have missed the last seven days, which saw McCain backtrack on raising the payroll tax after having said a week ago on ABC This Week that "nothing is off the table." [Fox News Sunday, 8/03/08; CBS Face The Nation, 8/3/08; ABC This Week, 7/27/08; JohnMcCainTown Hall, Racine, WI, 7/31/08]
At the same time, McCain's low road approach to the campaign continues to take hits in press coverage across the country. Yesterday in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune Weiner and Larmett chronicled McCain's slipping image, detailing McCain's reversion to the "traditional platforms of the incumbent president" -- in short, how McCain is cozying up to Bush on key issues, from Iraq to the economy.
Campaigns and Elections surveyed several prominent Republican strategists on McCain's aggressive negative tactics, and embrace of Karl Rove and Bush-Rove "disciples." Former McCain strategist John Weaver's assertion that McCain's ads were "childish" and reduced McCain were reinforced by commentary from former McCain advisor Mike Murphy, who responded that McCain risked sacrificing his reputation.
The McCain campaign's defense to the coverage of McCain's negativity has been straight out of the Bush-Rove playbook, restricting access to McCain, as reported by the Washington Post in Kurtz' "Rerouting McCain's Bus: Frustrations Lead Campaign To Limit Reporters' Access."
Below are links to the three pieces:
1. Minneapolis Star-Tribune: John McCain is a maverick no more:
As their messenger, the McCain campaign is using Mitt Romney which could be a sign of future things to come.
Here is the McCain press release:
ICYMI: Gov. Mitt Romney On The "Pocket" Ad Distortions
"Well, that's really sad. I didn't know that Barack Obama had stooped to dishonesty." -- Gov. Mitt Romney
Gov. Mitt Romney
CNN's "American Morning"
August 4, 2008
CNN's Kiran Chetry: "Your response?"
Gov. Mitt Romney: "Well, that's really sad. I didn't know that Barack Obama had stooped to dishonesty. You know, pointing out weaknesses in other people's campaigns or positions is also fair game, but that's dishonest, as you know. First of all, corporations are not allowed to give contributions to candidates, and employees of oil companies give to Barack Obama as well as to John McCain. So, that's part number one that's dishonest. And, number two, John McCain doesn't ask for any tax reduction for oil companies. There's no special deal going to oil companies. He's asking to reduce taxes on all corporations to help build our economy and strengthen jobs as well as reducing taxes on individuals. So, it's simply dishonest as well as below the belt."
Chetry: "Just to clarify. According to The Washington Post, oil and gas industry executives and employees donated $1.1 million to John McCain's campaign last month. So, I think that is what he's referring to in that ad."
Gov. Romney: "But what you don't point out is the employees and executives of the oil companies also gave money to Barack Obama and to suggest that they only gave to John McCain is dishonest. There's no indication that that's the case. In fact, individuals can give to candidates of both parties and they regularly do."
Chetry: "Right. Well, let me just ask you about this, because if John McCain became president, he wants to lower the corporate tax rate by 10%, so 35% down to 25% and that would include companies like big oil and Exxon Mobil who took in $12 billion last quarter alone. How do you explain that to the everyday Joe who's seeing a larger chunk of their paycheck taken up by high gases prices and these oil companies are going to see more money in their pockets while the average guy is seeing less?"
Gov. Romney: "Well, first of all, he's lowering taxes for all corporations in America to help make us more competitive with other nations of the world where corporations are going, because we have the highest corporate tax rate in the world next to Japan. So, he's trying to build our economy and create more jobs and he's not singling out any one company or another."
Also, on Saturday, John McCain issued this radio address:
ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released the text of John McCain's weekly radio address for tomorrow morning. The text and audio file are embargoed until tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. EDT. Please note, the weekly radio address will now be available in Spanish.
Good morning, this is John McCain. The differences between my opponent and me are coming into sharper focus. As the day draws closer, the choice becomes clearer.
One difference is our willingness to break ranks with our own political parties when principle and good sense demand it. When a Republican administration was making terrible mistakes in Iraq, I spoke up against it. And I spoke for the new strategy that has saved us from a catastrophic American defeat in the Middle East. This was back when Senator Obama was speaking as if Iraq was a lost cause, confidently declaring the surge would fail and calling for an immediate withdrawal of our troops no matter how disastrous the consequences. I have seen war up close. I know its terrible costs. And, as president, I am going to end this war -- by winning it.
When my own party turned out to be just as financially irresponsible as my opponent's party -- spending recklessly and leaving more debt for your children to pay -- I spoke up. When America needed reform in energy policy, the current administration and likeminded Republicans in Congress served up yet another energy bill stuffed with corporate welfare -- and Senator Obama joined them. I spoke up for real reform to lower energy prices, and to gain energy security for our country.
My independence hasn't always made me friends in Washington. It hasn't always done much for my political prospects, either. The pundits and pollsters have written me off many times -- and, now and then, they seemed to be on to something. But I don't answer to the pundits and pollsters. I answer to you. And even when we don't agree, you will always know exactly where I stand.
For his part, Senator Obama is an impressive orator, and it's a lucky thing for me that people aren't just choosing a motivational speaker. Washington is full of talented talkers. And Senator Obama is one of the best to come along in quite a while.
Unfortunately, on issues big and small, what he says and what he does are often two different things. Senator Obama says he's going to change Washington. But his plan to raise your taxes and expand the federal government is not exactly my idea of a solution to what troubles Washington. In fact, it bears a suspicious resemblance to the problem. Real change in Washington requires a top-to-bottom review to root out wasteful spending, and a willingness to veto bills with useless and costly earmarks. Senator Obama himself has requested more than a million dollars in pork per working day since he arrived in Congress. That is just the kind of abuse we need to end in Washington, and I know how to end it.
Senator Obama says he will raise taxes only on the rich. But in the Senate, he voted for tax hikes that would have impacted those taking home just $32,000 a year. He has proposed tax increases on income taxes, capital gains taxes, dividend taxes, estate taxes, and Social Security taxes. All of these tax increases are the fine print under his slogans, and they add up to more than a trillion dollars in new taxes over the next decade.
Raising taxes in a bad economy is about the worst thing you could do because it would kill more jobs in an economy thats already losing too many. I'm going to keep current tax rates low, and cut others, not because I want to make the rich richer, but because low tax rates keep jobs in America and create new ones.
Senator Obama says he wants energy independence, but he doesn't support anything that serves that goal. He is opposed to new domestic drilling, opposed to nuclear power, and wants to add taxes to coal producers. He has said the high cost of gasoline doesn't bother him, only that it rose too quickly. He believes every domestic energy source has a problem. I believe every energy source needs to be part of the solution.
We need to develop new advanced alternative energies like wind, solar, tide and biofuels, but we also need to develop more existing energies like nuclear power and clean coal. And we need to start drilling and producing more oil at home, and bring down the cost of gasoline that is killing our economy.
To summarize the Obama agenda: Government is too big, and he wants to grow it. Taxes are too high, and he wants to raise them. Congress spends too much, and he proposes more. We need more energy, and he's against producing it. We're finally winning in Iraq, and he wants to forfeit.
With an agenda like that, a knack for rhetoric comes in mighty handy. But good speeches aren't everything in politics -- good judgment matters too. And that's what America is going to need from the next commander in chief. Thanks for listening.
