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...and I'm voting for that tall, goofy-looking homey. |
Posted on 10/11/2004 12:51:32 PM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget
By Patricia Wilson SANTA FE, N.M. (Reuters) - Democratic challenger John Kerry on Monday blamed President Bush's "gross mismanagement" of the Iraq war for rising gas prices and vowed to free the United States from dependence on Middle East oil in 10 years.
The Massachusetts senator rebuked his Republican rival, a former Texas oil man, for warming "the hearts of his powerful friends" in the industry with a $15 billion tax break while leaving average American consumers out in the cold.
"In the past four years, in nearly every decision he's made, George W. Bush has chosen the powerful and well-connected over middle class Americans," Kerry told supporters in Santa Fe. "When it comes to developing a real energy policy, George Bush has run out of gas."
Speaking in New Mexico, Kerry reminded voters that the state was home to the Manhattan Project that marshaled the knowledge and technology during World War II to build nuclear weapons. He called for a similar effort to push scientists to develop alternative fuels.
In a sign of how important New Mexico is to both candidates in a neck-and-neck Nov. 2 election, Kerry quipped: "George Bush is in a state of denial. I'll tell you what, New Mexico has five electoral votes. State of denial has none. I like my chances."
Kerry, who was staying in Santa Fe to prepare for Wednesday night's third and final presidential debate in Arizona, said higher gas prices had cost Americans $34 billion since Bush took office.
With the United States importing 2.5 million barrels of oil from the Middle East every day, Kerry said he would increase fuel efficiency and produce alternative and renewable sources of energy, relying on U.S. ingenuity "not the Saudi royal family."
"Last week, gas prices hit a record $53 a barrel and one big reason is because of this president's gross mismanagement of the war in Iraq," he said. "I have a real energy plan to harness the full force of America's technology and make this nation independent of Middle East oil in 10 years."
Oil prices were at an all-time high, a gallon of gas cost nearly $2, the cost of heating the average home has gone up 91 percent and high energy costs have pushed up prices across the board, Kerry said.
"To borrow a saying, when it comes to George Bush's record on gas prices, he can run but he can't hide. Facts are stubborn things, Mr. President," Kerry said.
Benchmark crude oil prices in New York hit record highs of near $54 a barrel on Monday and London Brent crude prices rose above $50 for the first time ever.
Oil prices are up about 65 percent this year, recently boosted by supply fears as Gulf of Mexico producers struggle to restore pumping that was shut down by Hurricane Ivan. U.S. average retail gasoline prices are again approaching $2 a gallon, a four-month high.
Treasury Secretary John Snow on Sunday called the record gas prices a "drag" that created "headwinds" for the economy and took disposable income away from consumers.
In large part, Bush's energy policy seeks to expand supplies of domestic oil and natural gas, while Kerry's focuses on developing alternative fuels and renewable sources to reduce U.S. demand for oil.
Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt said Kerry's "obstruction" of a national energy policy made the senator's "current political opportunism completely hypocritical."
"John Kerry will tell people whatever he thinks they want to hear, and his multiple positions are destroying his credibility with the American people," Schmidt said.
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Nope, couldn't possibly have anything to do with rapidly rising worldwide demand. Bush's fault, clearly.
/sarcasm
Nor would it have anything to do with the various hurricanes forcing shutdown and evacuations of the various oil platforms in the Gulf...
Wasn't Kerry the one telling us not long ago that Bush has a secret deal with the Saudis to keep oil prices down prior to the election?
Now he's blaming Bush for higher oil prices.
It'd be unbelievable if it wasn't so damned predictable.
Is Kerry for Nuclear cars?
If Bush wants to clinch a re-election he should announce that we're going to DRILL.ANWR.NOW!
Bush wanted to drill in Alaska and was denied.
Gee, I thought Bush was after Iraq's oil.
Anyone at Bush's rally today? How large was the crowd compared to the morons who turned out to see Kerry?
Since when does storm damage in the Gulf of Mexico and labor and political unrest in Nigeria have anything to do with Iraq????? Kerry throws things out and hopes something sticks on the President. He is losing his grip on reality.
Since when does storm damage in the Gulf of Mexico and labor and political unrest in Nigeria have anything to do with Iraq????? Kerry throws things out and hopes something sticks on the President. He is losing his grip on reality.
I guess that "sweetheart deal with the Saudi royal family" accusation didn't really pan out, did it? Kerry is willing to say anything for political gain.
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...and I'm voting for that tall, goofy-looking homey. |
You can't pump oil on a rig when it's shut down. And unrest in oil-production nations always has an effect on output, and in costs. But I agree, Kerry is throwing everything he can to knock the President off-stride.
Well .. that's part of the Energy bill which I believe is being stonewalled in the Senate ..?? And .. I believe it's being stonewalled because if we drill there and find more oil than expected (which some are predicting), that would make Bush look good .. and we couldn't have that.
Besides, as usual, the dems want the ISSUE - NOT A SOLUTION.
I wonder how much crude Soros is hoarding. Hm.
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