John Kerry For President | Title: "Freedom and Independence"

KERRY: “There’s nothing we value more in America than our freedom and independence. And yet here we are today a nation more dependent than ever on Mideast oil. I’ve proposed a plan that will make us energy independent of Mideast oil in the next ten years. Energy independence isn’t just about better gas mileage and a cleaner environment, it’s about protecting our national security and our freedom. I’m John Kerry and I approved this message because a strong America is an independent America.”

CHYRON: John Kerry; A Plan For Energy Independence; JohnKerry.com; Approved By John Kerry And Paid For By John Kerry For President, Inc.

Kerry’s Energy Plan A Pipe Dream. Harvard University professor Henry Lee, a former Massachusetts state energy chief under Democrat and Republican administrations, said Kerry’s plan for energy independence is “going to have minimal impact … to say we’re going to be independent – you’re kidding yourself.” (Seth Borenstein and James Kuhnhenn, “Kerry Strikes A Chord With Energy Plan,” Knight Ridder Tribune Business News, 1/24/04)

Kerry Has Voted And Supported Higher CAFE Standards Which Would Kill American Jobs

In 1999 And 2002, Kerry Voted For Increased CAFE Standards. (H.R. 2084, CQ Vote #275: Rejected 40-55: R 6-45; D 34-9; I 0-1, 9/15/99, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 517, CQ Vote #47, Adopted 62-38: R 43-6; D 19-31; I 0-1, 3/13/02, Kerry Voted Nay)

Kerry Proposed Legislation To Increase Fuel Efficiency Standards For Automobiles. Kerry sponsored failed legislation that would have required automakers to boost Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2013. (S.1926, Introduced 2/8/02; Peter Cohn and John Godfrey, “Another Committee Loses Voice On Energy Overhaul,” Congressional Quarterly Daily Monitor, 2/12/02)

While Campaigning In MI, Kerry Told Governor He Wasn’t “Wedded” To Higher CAFE Standards. “Kerry has told [Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-MI)] in private conversations that he is not wedded to the 36 mpg fleet average by 2015, Granholm said. ‘Sen. Kerry has said he wants to make sure jobs do not leave this state,’ the governor declared.” (Richard A. Ryan and Jeff Plungis, “Car Issues May Slow Kerry In Michigan,” The Detroit News, 2/6/04)

Detroit News Columnist Said “Kerry’s Flip-Flop Is Intentional” On CAFE. “As the junior senator from Massachusetts, Kerry had the luxury of proposing noble, environmentally idealistic laws. Never mind that his ends didn’t exactly square with American consumer tastes any more than the means dovetailed with the way cars and trucks are developed or built. … As the Democrat aiming to replace George W. Bush, Kerry needs the support of the United Auto Workers and its Democratic friends – Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, Reps. John Dingell and Bart Stupak and Gov. Jennifer Granholm. … By softening an otherwise tough stance in exchange for their support, Kerry is implicitly acknowledging that stiffer CAFE rules would face real technological hurdles and endanger industry employment. Kerry’s flip-flop is intentional.” (Daniel Howes, Op-Ed, “Kerry’s Flip-Flop On CAFE Goals Is Classic Example Of Political Efficacy,” The Detroit News, 4/21/04)

In 2002, Kerry Came Out On Losing End Of Fight With Michigan Democrats Over Higher CAFE Standards. “In a major victory for Detroit automakers, a bipartisan Senate plan to boost the fuel economy of the nation’s light vehicles as much as 50 percent over the next 15 years has failed to muster enough support. The demise of the proposal by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., means an alternative plan crafted by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., will likely become part of a broader energy bill that the Senate is considering. … Last week, [Kerry] and other Senators proposed raising overall fuel economy requirements to 36 miles a gallon by 2015, up from 27.5 mpg for cars and 20.7 mpg for trucks today. … Levin and Michigan’s other senator, Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat, said that current federal fuel economy regulations put Detroit’s Big Three automakers at a competitive disadvantage …” (Jeff Plungis, “Plan To Raise Fuel Rules Fails,” The Detroit News, 3/13/02)

UAW Blasted Kerry’s Proposal For Higher CAFE Standards. The UAW’s magazine Solidarity noted, “But proposals first floated this winter by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C., later joined by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., leaned toward a one-sided approach to energy issues, with the danger of destroying thousands of good-paying union jobs in the process. … Kerry, Hollings and McCain wanted to raise the CAFE standard to an unrealistic 36 mpg by 2015. This leaps far ahead of the feasible fuel standards projected in a recent study by the National Academy of Sciences. The Kerry-Hollings-McCain proposals would have hit UAW members with a double whammy, aiding foreign automakers at the expense of the Big Three – and giving the Big Three new incentives to move small car production overseas.” (UAW, “Frontlines: Senate Backs Sensible Fuel Economy Standard,” UAW’s Solidarity, 4/02)

United Auto Workers Opposed Kerry Proposal Because It Would “Discriminate Against” Big Three Auto Companies, “Facilitate” Outsourcing, And Cause “Serious Job Loss For Thousands” Of Auto Workers. “The UAW continues to support improvements in CAFE that are economically and technologically feasible, and are structured in a manner that is fair and even-handed towards all companies. But we strongly oppose changes such as the Hollings-Kerry proposal that call for increases that are excessive and are structured in a manner that would discriminate against the Big Three automakers or facilitate the outsourcing of small car production to other countries. Such proposals would result in serious job loss for thousands of UAW members and other automotive workers.” (Alan Reuther, Legislative Director, United Auto Workers, Letter To Senate, 2/25/02)

Energy Information Administration Study Showed Kerry’s Proposal Could Ultimately Cost 453,000 Jobs And Result In $170 Billion In Lost Economic Output Between 2003 And 2020. Analysis by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed that increasing CAFE standards for car and light-truck combined fuel economy rating to 35 mpg by 2013, as required under the Kerry-Hollings CAFE provisions in S. 517, decreases real GDP by $170 billion between 2003 and 2020 and results in 453,000 jobs lost at its peak. (“Analysis Of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards For Light Trucks And Increased Alternative Fuel Use,” Energy Information Administration, 3/02, p. 4, 6-7)

Kerry Doesn’t Want U.S. Dependent On Foreign Oil, Yet Won’t Support Domestic Drilling In ANWR

Kerry Vowed “We Can No Longer Tolerate A Dependence On Foreign Oil” But Criticizes Bush Administration For Proposing Drilling In ANWR. “The Bush Administration thinks we can drill our way out of our energy problems. And their solution is to drill in one of our precious national treasures - the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. That’s not an energy policy, that’s simply the needless pursuit of profit.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At John F. Kennedy Library, Boston, MA, 2/9/03)

However, Teamsters And Other Labor Groups Support Oil Exploration In ANWR. “The Teamsters and other labor groups support the inclusion of oil and gas leasing on the coastal plain of the ANWR in the National Energy Security Act of 2001. More than 735,000 new jobs would be created by the legislation.” (International Brotherhood Of Teamsters, “Teamsters Lead Grassroots ANWR Support,” Press Release, 4/17/01)

ü Teamsters’ President James Hoffa Called The Vote Against ANWR A “Betrayal Of Working Americans.” (Richard Simon, “Senate Blocks Oil Drilling In Arctic Reserve,” Los Angeles Times, 4/19/02)

Former Democrat Alaska Governor Tony Knowles Said Kerry “Is Just Wrong” On ANWR. “With all due respect to the party’s nominee, on the issue of responsible development of the coastal plain and meeting America’s energy needs, John Kerry is just wrong … America needs a balanced energy bill that includes steps to better conserve energy, incentives for developing renewable, alternative sources of energy; and increases domestic production of oil and natural gas. Alaska has been and can continue to be a major part of such a comprehensive plan, through development of ANWR’s oil reserve with the appropriate environmental safeguards, by getting our proven quantities of clean-burning natural gas to market through incentives to finance the Alaska gas pipeline, and by tapping Alaska’s abundant reserves of heavy oil.” (Tony Knowles For Senate, “Knowles Challenges Kerry On ANWR,” Press Release, 4/20/04)

Kerry Voted Against ANWR Exploration Seven Times. (S. 1220, CQ Vote #242: Motion Rejected 50-44: R 32-9; D 18-35, 11/1/91, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #190: Motion Agreed To 56-44: R 48-6; D 8-38, 5/24/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1357, CQ Vote #525: Motion Agreed To 51-48: R 45-8; D 6-40, 10/27/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 101, CQ Vote #58: Motion Agreed To 51-49: R 47-8; D 4-41, 4/6/00, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 517, CQ Vote #70: Motion Rejected 36-64: R 30-19; D 6-44; I 0-1, 4/18/02, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 517, CQ Vote #71: Motion Rejected 46-54: R 41-8; D 5-45; I 0-1, 4/18/02, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 23, CQ Vote #59: Adopted 52-48: R 8-43; D 43-5; I 1-0, 3/19/03, Kerry Voted Yea)

Energy Information Agency Study Shows ANWR Would Reduce Oil Imports By 876,000 Barrels Per Day By 2024. According to the EIA, “[t]he opening of ANWR to oil and gas development includes the following impacts: Reducing the U.S. dependence on imported foreign oil; Improving the U.S. balance of trade; Extending the life of TAPS for oil; Increasing U.S. jobs; and Reducing world oil prices.” (“Analysis Of Oil And Gas Production In The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,” Energy Information Administration, 3/04)

ü 876,000 Barrels Per Day Would Supply Five Times As Much Gas As Massachusetts Uses Daily! (US House Of Representatives Committee On Resources, “ANWR Development Would Increase Domestic Production by 20%, New Study Shows,” Press Release, 3/16/04)

ü 876,000 Barrels Of Oil Is 5 Times As Much Oil Currently Being Added To Strategic Petroleum Reserve. 170,000 barrels are being added to the Reserve daily. (US House Of Representatives Committee On Resources, “ANWR Development Would Increase Domestic Production by 20%, New Study Shows,” Press Release, 3/16/04; Erica Werner, “Senators Urge White House To Tap Oil Reserves To Lower Gas Prices,” The Associated Press, 5/19/04)

US Oil Production At Near 50-Year Low. “Kerry doesn’t get it. The reason Americans are faced with gasoline price spikes every several years or so is not because of OPEC, not because of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, not because of the crazy quilt of state and local fuel regulations, not because alternative and renewable fuels have been given short shrift. It’s because this country has done far too little to increase domestic crude oil production. In fact, oil production in the United States is near 50-year lows, according to the Energy Information Administration. … The decline in U.S. oil production coincides with the rising influence of the environmental left – to whom the party of Kerry is beholden – in shaping U.S. energy policy.” (Joseph Perkins, Op-Ed, “One Sure Way To Lower Gasoline Prices,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/2/04)

ANWR Could Replace Saudi Arabian Oil. “Indeed, the United States is sitting on an untapped oil supply that could replace 30 years worth of U.S. oil imports from Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil producer, according to the National Center for Policy Analysis. But because of hysterical opposition from environmental activists, Kerry and his fellow Democrats in Congress have absolutely refused to allow any oil development whatsoever in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Alaska. … Yet, candidate Kerry continues to oppose opening up the Arctic refuge to oil development, no matter how many billions of barrels of oil lie beneath its 19.5 million acres.” (Joseph Perkins, Op-Ed, “One Sure Way To Lower Gasoline Prices,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/2/04)

Kerry Wants Energy Independence, Yet Didn’t Support Energy Bill
And Won’t Weigh In On Wind Farm In Nantucket!

Kerry Talks About Need To Invest In Renewable Energy, Stating Millions Of New Jobs Will Be Created. “‘We spend $1.8 billion in subsidies for oil and gas … and only $24 million for alternative and renewable energy,’ the Massachusetts Democrat told a crowd of University of New Hampshire students. ‘We ought to flip-flop those numbers.’ Kerry, who has called for a renewed federal commitment to environmental justice, said that finding sources of renewable energy would save billions of dollars and create millions of new jobs.” (Alex Ortolani, “Kerry: U.S. Must Decrease Oil Dependency,” The [Manchester, NH] Union Leader, 4/26/03)

Kerry Wants 20 Percent Of Electricity To Come From Renewable Sources. “John Kerry believes that America needs a national market for electricity produced from renewable energy, such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydrogen. Kerry supports a national goal of producing 20 percent of our electricity from renewable sources by 2020.” (John Kerry For President Website, “Assuring 20 Percent Of Electricity Comes From Renewable Sources By 2020,” www.johnkerry.com/issues/energy/, Accessed 2/1/04)

Kerry Won’t Weigh In On Cape Wind Farm Project In His Own Backyard. “Kerry insisted it’s proper to let the environmental review continue and not to short-circuit public comment. ‘I don’t think it is appropriate for me (to weigh in). I think the most appropriate thing to do is listen to the people on the Cape, listen to the people who have concerns, weigh the arguments,’ he said.” (Kevin Landrigan, “Kerry Offers Ways To Fight Pollution,” The Telegraph [Nashua, NH], 4/23/03)

Kerry Wants Renewable Energy To Reduce Dependence On Foreign Oil, Create Jobs. “We can … develop and deploy clean energy technologies that will make us more efficient and allow us to capitalize on domestic and renewable sources of energy. John Kerry’s plan for a renewable energy trust fund to invest in the development of renewable energy will reduce our oil dependence by more than 2 million barrels of oil a day … Kerry’s plan will also create 500,000 new jobs over the next decade and work toward producing 20 percent of US energy from renewable fuels by 2020.” (John Kerry For President Website, “Reduce Our Dependence On Foreign Oil,” www.johnkerry.com/issues/energy/, Accessed 2/10/04)

Energy Bill Included Tax Credits For Wind Power. “If we weren’t in the bill, the credit that is the foundation of our industry was going to expire and with it our industry would expire. … If the energy bill dies, extension of the wind production tax credit will also die for any time in the foreseeable future.” (American Wind Energy Association President Randall Swisher As Quoted On NPR’s “Morning Edition,” 12/31/03)

On November 21, 2003, Senate Fell Three Votes Short Of Passing Energy Bill On Procedural Vote. Kerry skipped cloture vote on the energy bill, which required 60 votes to end Democrat filibuster. Failure to end the Democrat filibuster in effect killed the bill. (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #456: Motion Rejected 57-40: R 44-7; D 13-32; I 0-1, 11/21/03, Kerry Did Not Vote)

By Missing Vote, Kerry Killed American Jobs. NPR’S JEFF YOUNG: “Vestas Group, the world’s leading maker of wind turbines, had planned a new plant in Oregon with a thousand employees. Now that’s up in the air. Wind farms proposed for Minnesota and Iowa are stalled, and Swisher says layoffs are coming.” (NPR’s “Morning Edition,” 12/31/03)

Energy Bill Also Included Solar Panel Tax Credits. “‘The tax credits are money in the bank.’ That’s Glenn Hammer of the Solar Energy Industries Association. He says the bill would expand the use of solar with a $2,000 credit for home solar heaters and a plan to put solar panels on federal buildings. Hammer says that’s key because solar products’ costs go down by about 20 percent every time the use of the technology doubles.” (NPR’s “Morning Edition,” 12/31/03)

ü Provided For An Average Of $600 Million Per Year For Existing And New Coal-Based Research And Development;

ü Provided $1.8 Billion Authorization To Carry Out Clean Coal Power Initiative;

ü Mandated That At Least 60 Percent Of The $1.8 Billion Be Used For Coal-Based Gasification Technology Which Must Met Stringent Environmental Performance And Increase Efficiency Standards;

ü Launched Programs For Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Transit Buses And Hydrogen Fuel-Cell School Buses;

ü Required NHTSA To Consider Vehicle Safety And Automobile Industry Jobs In Determining CAFE Standards;

ü Allowed For Increased Development In The Gulf Of Mexico For Oil And Natural Gas Drilling;

ü Authorized Over $2.9 Billion In Funding Over The Next Five Years For Renewable Energy Research And Development;

ü Instituted A Specific New Funding Category To Cleanup Tank-Related Releases Of Oxygenated Fuel Additives In Gasoline Like MTBE. (“Highlights Of Energy Policy Act Of 2003,” House Republican Conference, 11/22/03)

The best published solutions in the liberal main stream media is how Kerry supports energy independence by upping fuel mileage standards.
The best kept secret by the liberal media however is how Kerry subverts and undermines his mileage fuel standards when it comes to standing up for his regulations in automobile manufacturing country.
Tell'em what they like to hear, or in short:
Be truly Kerryanistic.

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