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Bugs · 06-08-2008, 05:05 AM

Not really an attempt to take things off the race issue but what the hell is Obama thinking with his current energy policy?

A generally negative review of the recently proposed Obama energy policy – out of those namby-pambies in SF none the less.

Obama goes for easy points on energy

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Obama goes for easy points on energy
Sen. Barack Obama's energy policy is offering more flip flops than a Lake Tahoe souvenir stand.

Must say I generally agree with the SF assessment. Although I think they were being a bit harsh in the assessment. McCain seems to be getting extra credit from some reporters for flip-flopping on the off-shore issue sooner. And there is quite a bit of an economic difference between suspending the gas taxes (pennies on the gallon and a few dollars a month) as opposed to handing out $1000 dollar checks. Don’t get me wrong I think the Obama idea of taxing the oil companies to simply turn those dollars back over to the populace is a horrible idea and flies in the face of my idea of how a market should operate and the place of governments in said markets. But such a move would result in a real impact as opposed to suspending the gas tax which would IMHO have a minimal impact on individuals.

Obama unveils plan to deal with high energy prices - Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com

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He told a crowd of more than 1,000 people at the Lansing Center that he would provide $4 billion in loans and tax credits to American auto plants and manufacturers to retool their factories and build more such cars. He also wants to offer a $7,000 credit to motorists who buy those cars.

Not to keen on the idea of the $4 billion in loans and tax credits for American auto plants and manufacturers either. Sure I would like to see the US manufacturers improve their positions in the market, but they have shown us time and again they do nothing but abuse any assistance given to them by the government and do little to truly strengthen their positions in the market.

On the flip side I have no problem with the $7K credit to motorists for buying more fuel-efficient cars as long as the credit was available for cars that meet efficiency criteria regardless of manufacturer.

Obama calls for end to foreign oil dependence in 10 years- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

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Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called on the United States to end its dependence on oil from the Middle East and Venezuela within 10 years as part of a broad speech laying out his energy plans on Monday.

Pretty lofty goal - independent of foreign oil (middle east and Venezuela) in ten years? Limited offshore drilling, no nuclear, etc, etc, where in the hell are we going to get the power and be able to transfer out of foreign oil in 10 years?

I think the guys that wrote this speech were smoking some of the same stuff the speech writers where smoking that wanted an undivided Jerusalem as the capital of Israel during Obamas AIPAC speech.

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Obama urges opening oil reserves

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Obama urges opening oil reserves

US presidential hopeful Barack Obama has outlined his plans to tackle the growing cost of energy and its impact on the American economy.
It is an issue that is expected to play a critical role in the presidential election in November. In a reversal of policy, Mr Obama said the US should release 70m barrels of oil from its strategic reserves to lower petrol prices in the short-term.

Obama urges opening oil reserves – WTF. I love the liberties some folks take to how they report on events. While Obama has indicated he would be willing to open up the oil reserves to help lower current gas prices. I would hardly categorize his comments as him urging it to happen. More like he is reluctantly agreeing to compromise on the idea (much like his reluctant agreement on the off-shore drilling). Still a far cry from urging it to happen IMHO.

As far the the engergy issue goes I sure hope Obama takes another hard look at things and what can/needs to be done to move the US ahead on the energy issue.

On the plus side Obama seems to have an open mind and his policy does not seem as confined as most of the reports in the press seem to indicated:
TRAIL BLAZERS Blog | The Dallas Morning News

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On Energy, Barack Obama and T. Boone Pickens Converge

One of the more interesting things about the energy plan that T. Boone Pickens is promoting is how closely the ideas track Barack Obama's proposals.
I'm not saying there was collusion or even any contact between Pickens and Obama, and McCain has offered similar proposals that are consistent with what Pickens is dishing. But Obama has gone a bit farther than McCain on things that Pickens likes.

As the artical says neighter McCain or Obama seem to be too far off what Pickens has said recently, but the real key will be getting any of these seemingly simply ideas placed into action - unified grid, more natural gas to tide the US over until we can make battery, wind, solar, etc (non carbon based fuels) real large scale alternatives.

For those of you out there looking for a good chuckle – here is Mitt Romney comparing Obama to “an Internet date”.

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We didn’t know who he was. And now we’re getting to know who he is.. And we say gosh, this guy just doesn’t have the judgment and experience, as Hillary Clinton used to say, to be president of the United States…

Mitt Romney: Obama an 'Internet date': The Swamp

And here is an editorial submission from the heart of WV about what the author feels is Obama’s “fear” of having the town-hall meetings with McCain.
Obama Fears Open Dialogue on Issues - The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

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In other words, Obama apparently doesn’t think well on his feet and prefers to avoid uncomfortable situations. That isn’t exactly a recommendation for someone who wants to be president of the United States.

I tend to agee with this point of view when it comes to debates. If someone wants to the top dog they should not shy away from a mono-on-mono deal like a town hall meeting IMHO.

The Hindu News Update Service

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A week ago, Obama had a three-percentage point lead and the candidates were even among unaffiliated voters. Today, McCain leads 52 per cent to 37 per cent. McCain is current favourite of nation's voters with 55 per cent votes as compared to Obama's 51 per cent, lowest rating for the Illinois Senator since he wrapped up the nomination.

Ouch.. that hurt....

Sorry to say it appears the negative tilt of the current McCain crew seems to be working and therefore we are likely to see more of it. Heard one pundit on Anderson Cooper saying how the Paris/Britney ad while maybe not the slickest bit of work had basically been run/ reported in the print and video news for most of the week. Thus giving McCain about ten times the value for the ad as a standard ad. Polls first had McCain pulling even, then getting an edge, and now obtaining an edge that is close to or more than the margin of error in the polls. Thus giving McCain his first real edge in the polls since Obama locked up the blue team nomination. The result of which is sure to be more negative out of McCain until it is proven to be unaffective - if ever.