Obama Meets With T. Boone Pickens, Avoids Swift Boat Question

RENO, Nev. — Democrat Barack Obama met Sunday with Texas oil baron and longtime conservative activist T. Boone Pickens to discuss strategies for developing alternative energy.

The presidential hopeful praised Pickens as a "legendary entrepreneur" and deflected a question about the billionaire's role in helping to fund a television ad campaign that undermined John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee.

"You know, he's got a longer track record than that," Obama told reporters when asked about Pickens' association with the ads by a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. "One of the things I think we have to unify the country around is having an intelligent energy policy. ... That's what we're going to be talking about."

During the 2004 presidential campaign, Pickens spent $3 million to help bankroll the Swift Boat organization, a group tied to supporters of President Bush that ran television ads questioning Kerry's record as a swift boat commander during the Vietnam War. The ads were believed to have damaged Kerry in several battleground states, contributing to his narrow loss to Bush.

Today, Pickens is bankrolling a much different kind of campaign. A critic of U.S. dependence on oil and a champion of wind power and other alternative energy forms, he has vowed to spend $58 million to promote his "Pickens Plan," which calls for the U.S. to generate 22 percent of its electricity through wind and other sources.

The high cost of energy has emerged as a central campaign issue between Obama and his Republican rival John McCain. Pickens met with McCain in Colorado last week to discuss his plan and requested a similar meeting with Obama. The two men talked privately for about 45 minutes, campaign officials said Sunday.

Comments

[HC4BO]

Is McCain Now Copying Solzhenitsyn?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/politicalinsider/2008/08/is-mccain-now-copying-solzheni.html

McCain is a Plagiarist ....

[Mikecoatl]

I expect that Pickens has latched onto the wind plan because, unlike most of his Republican brethren, he is shrewd enough to see that there is almost no future for America in oil. And he is also smart enough to meet with Obama, the man who will make wind power happen. This doesn't mean that Pickens isn't a lying, slandering snake.

[reggieb]

I agree. Also, Pickens has the money and the know how to be effective. Obama shouldn't turn his back on him, though.

[darthmaul]

Obama is following that old addage by Sun-Tzu: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

[Chris]

How can Obama make it happen when the environamentalist through a fit everytime some one tries to build a wind farm? IS Obama goign to stand up to them? I doubt it.

[wdw101]

you can have it both ways.......is obama for wind farms or not?

[Vermontah]

It's not environmentalists who object to wind farming. Quite the opposite! It's the backwoods farmers and well-fleeced second-home owners who are throwing hissy fits. Here, read this:

http://www.reformer.com/ci_10234978

People are just going to bitch about anything. Perhaps this guy didn't think through what it would be like living right next to a leaky nuke plant (we have one right here in so. VT) or a filth-spewing coal plant.

I say bravo to Pickens. Sure, his motive is money, but if he want to make money harnessing a clean, planet-saving energy, more power to him. When the Fascists realize that money can be made from green energy, why, they'll be right on board!

[kfdan]

Obama is a uniter in the true sense NOT the Bush sense and I for one see Obama's reaching out as an example of what his Presidency will be! Neither polls or twisted corporate news commentary will deflect sensible Americans from voting for this kind of President.

[Chris]

So much a uniter that his party is goign to strip Joe Lieberman of his positions because he had the nerve to stick to his beleifs and to support a friend? Is that what Obama means by uniting? Un iting all those that think liek him and pushing out any that do not?

Funny that sounds like more of the same.

[wdw101]

"Is that what Obama means by uniting? " Only if you agree with him

[alieninvader]

Obama wouldn't be stripping him of his positions.

[Kwamo]

Boy the nerve of some folks saying what Obama "has or has not accomplished" in their life! I bet it's more noteworthy than commenting on it on a post. Whether he wins or loses,, quite an accomplishment to damn be where he is now a PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE... geezzzz again applaud that he obviously had a pow wow with Kerry and it's just plans to put America in the drivers seat.

[JBoy]

I'm glad Pickens has spoken with both McCain & Obama. It only makes sense to promote renewable energy sources...and this should even appease the global warming theorists.

[doodlefarbe]

JBoy writes, "this should even appease the global warming theorists"


?-Theorists-?

Thought global warming was a solid fact?

[darthmaul]

There are still people that believe that the world is about 5,000 years old and that the landing on the moon was faked. Therefore I'm not surprised some people think that global warming is a theory.

[dumbosrus]

I will say this for Obama. For a guy that accomplished nothing to note in his entire life, his meeting with Pickens will not hurt a single bit. Numerous bloggers on this very site don't like Pickens plan because it means he will get even richer than he already is.

But the fact of the matter is that Pickens plan sells itself, and Obama knows it. With wind farms popping up in every midwest state from Texas to North Dakota, the writing is clearly on the wall.

Keep up, or get left behind.

It's safe to assume that Obama has no intention of getting left behind - like Billary did.

[MarkieBee]

It would be so great if Obamahaters would at least hate him for something that's based in the truth...Do some research Dummie...I'd call the first meaningful ethics reform in a generation and keeping the lid on loose nukes as being two pretty good accomplishments for a junior senator. Go look then up Dumb...Obama-Coburn and Obama-Lugar.

[Daly]

Obamahaters can not hate based on truths; they avoid the truth. Today they are feeling embolded because they feel McCain had a decent showing at the church of Warren.

Typically the sheep of GOP who manage to turn their backs on soldiers, war, seniors, elderly - lets just say anyone not making 5 million is no more that pawns in their games of selling America to the highest bidder.

McCain sat in the car and listen to every response Obama provided and still when it was his turn, Mc could only repeat that he has been trained to say.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/18/us/politics/18mccain.html?ref=politics

[ChiGuy]

Again, Pickens requested the meeting. NOT Obama.

[thenicerguy]

this from a guy who is probably blogging from his mother's basement. Real accomplishment there, pal....

[doodlefarbe]

thenicerguy writes, "this from a guy who is probably blogging from his mother's basement. Real accomplishment there, pal...."


Yeah, but it's a really NICE basement.

;-)

[MWChris]

It makes a lot of sense for Obama to hook up with T. Boone on energy issues. Obama should embrace the "Pickens Plan." The "Pickens Plan" would displace oil with alternative sources, which is consistent with Obama's approach. Pickens and Obama both agree that more off-shore drilling is not the answer and, given Pickens' background in the oil patch, this should help give more credibility to Obama on energy issues.

[CamJam]

Don't forget Oregon as well... (something that might not make Pickens too happy )

http://cleantechnica.com/2008/07/29/worlds-largest-wind-farm-planned-in-oregon/

[foxfan]

We treat the "Swift Boat" campaign as if it was wrong. A group of veterans questioned John Kerry's military service. I'm not saying I agree with the tactic. In fact, I have nothing but respect for John Kerry for having served in Vietnam. If he was running on his war record though, then others had the right to raise questions. They weren't radicals out to destroy him, but fellow veterans. We shouldn't confuse all the groups out there that have nothing to do with candidates with legitimate groups that have legitimate concerns.

[johjac]

"They weren't radicals out to destroy him, but fellow veterans."

You can't really be that naive can you? OF COURSE they were out to destroy him! And they weren't interested in "asking questions" they were interested in character assassination! It's amazing that this simple truth is lost on you.

[gifu]

Did you take a hit of ecstasy before you wrote this?? BALDERDASH!!!

[Shannon2008]

A group of liars dishonored an American hero. These guys are history revisionists who worked for the glorification of man who did everything he could to get out of completing his service to this country and avoided putting his life at risk for his fellow Americans.

[themodernleader]

If America didn't have the Texans with tall and daring visions, we would need create them. And Obama is hoping to find answers while bringing back political peace and a reunified nation to break the deadlock of our democracy. The rich and business tycoons must carry out a large role because their immense authority demands equivalent duty. Pickens, unlike many Wall Streeters, sees himself as an American foremost in his decision making. All the super rich and would-be aristocrats must join with ordinary American leaders to bring back capital, plant, equipment, meaningful employment, and opportunity for all Americans. And they must sacrifice their luxury, time and power for the common good and the future welfare of our endangered country.

[LiberalBuzz]

"Pickens, unlike many Wall Streeters, sees himself as an American foremost in his decision making."

American in how he bankrolled a smear and lie campaign against Kerry?

While I applaud Pickens sudden desire to bring America to a more sensible energy program I would feel much better about it if he would apologize to Sen. Kerry first.

THAT would make his credibility a hundred times more believable.

[long333]

LiberalBuzz: I would feel much better about it if he would apologize to Sen. Kerry first.

How should he apologize? Some veterans came to him and said they wanted to tell their side. Is he suppose to go back now and say? "Hey you know I knew those guys were lying and I did it anyway?

The hard truth is Kerry's story never made sense to me and I wasn't surpirsed at all that there were brothers in arms who were foaming at the ears about what Kerry said.

So a large groups of guys comes to Pickens and say it isn't true what he is saying and Pickens pays for their platform and he should apologize for what? This is an identical situation that you hear complained about Bush all the time. Someone needs to throw some money their way so they can tell their side of what Bush is saying. Don't bother with the Swiftboat explanations I am pointing out from his point of view he wasn't doing anything dishonest and therefore owes no apology.

[nellie]

Pickens has invested a lot in his own wind farms. He's all about himself.

[BlueOnBlue]

If he sells the electricity at fair market prices and if it replaces some oil use, I have no problem with Pickens getting richer.

[ChiGuy]

This is completely in keeping with the character of O_bama.
He has ALWAYS been known for his willingness to hear the other side's argument, and the ability to work with people with whom he disagrees on many issues, to find satisfactory middle ground.

His policy of fairness and inclusiveness will be a breath of fresh air in the White House, and not only will earn him a second term, it will secure him a vaunted position in American history.

[dumbosrus]

Obama is listening to Pickens because he is familiar with the monkey see-monkey do culture of D.C. He sees something that works, so he's interested. Not to be outdone is my own moronic Senator, John McCain.

So let's don't sugar coat what either Obama or McCain is doing. If these 2 titans of deep thought were so concerned about wind power, they would already have wind farms, with their names on the front gate. It's that simple.

There is a clear leader in the country when it comes to alternative power generation, and that is Boone Pickens. Pure and simple.

The Dems had there chance 2 years ago when they took control of Congress. Now they will have to consult with Pickens.

[MarkieBee]

Fpor the last time, having a PLUS ONE majority is the senate isn't exactly gonna bring a lot of change to Washington...all that brought us was harry Reid, and I'm not real impressed with that guy. Now when Obama's coattails bring a super majority, we'll start to get things done.

[ChiGuy]

1.) By stating that Obama is bothering with Pickens, who, by the way, REQUESTED the meeting, for nothing more than to score political points, you have shown how little you know about him.
2.) The Dems never had "there [sic] chance" with a simple majority, as long as 16 party-before-country Republicans refused to vote with them forcing overrides of guaranteed vetoes by their gutless leader G_W_B.
3.) Pickens has made a bold move to get out in front of a soon to be burgeoning business. He has done it primarily (and wisely) for profit. But he's not the only one. And you can damned sure bet that when it comes to working with people on wind technology, he will never have a monopoly.

[Shannon2008]

My response to dumbosrus:

WRONG . . . The democrats had a big a** energy policy book which clearly supported WIND AND SOLAR AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, John McCain was casting his votes against funding alternative energy programs.

Republicans didn't have a domestic energy policy. OPEC has an energy policy, and the republicans have a slogan:

DRILL HERE DRILL NOW --- such a dumb statement is a waste of breath.

The republicans put this farse out there because there's a certain segment of the population that are idiots.

[dumbosrus]

Can you show us a copy of this mythical energy policy book the dems authored is located? And make sure the publication date is correct, please?

All I remember about the Dems plans were to throw money at solar and conserve our way off of middle east oil. This of course was a pipe dream. It's going to take a major leap in solar technology via lots of time and money to make solar profitable.

And since cars don't run on solar power(especially on cloudy days), the Dems ad better be concentrating on hydrogen propulsion. (Battery technology tends to take a LONG time to develop also).

Shannon2008, before you blindly march behind any of today's politicians, you may want to take a look at your own country. It's changing faster than they can keep up. Also, policies are nothing more than ideas unless they are implemented. And the last I looked, the Dems control Congress, and still have no good ideas.

GO PICKENS!!!!

[Shannon2008]

2000 Democratic Party Platform (p. 32):

America is blessed with abundant low-cost sources of coal, petroleum, and natural gas, but we must use them wisely and ensure that changes in the energy sector promote a workforce whose skills are expanded, utilized, and rewarded. Democrats believe that with the right incentives to encourage the development and deployment of clean energy technologies, we can make all our energy sources cleaner, safer, and healthier for our children.

http://www.democrats.org/pdfs/2000platform.pdf

Al Gore in 2000:

We have to free ourselves from big oil, from OPEC. We have to give new incentives for the development of resources, like deep gas in the western Gulf, but also renewable sources of energy and domestic sources that are cleaner and better. I’m proposing a plan that will give tax incentives for the rapid development of new kinds of cars, trucks, buses, factories, boilers, and furnaces that don’t have as much pollution.

2004 Democratic Party Platform (p. 14):

Harnessing American ingenuity to create renewable energy. Our plan begins with commonsense investments to harness the natural world around us—the sun, wind, water, geothermal and biomass sources, and a rich array of crops—to create a new generation of affordable energy for the 21st century.

http://www.democrats.org/pdfs/2004platform.pdf

2004 Kerry-Edwards Energy Plan:

http://physics.harvard.edu/~wilson/energypmp/Kerry-Edwards.pdf

[Shannon2008]

2008 Democratic Party Platform (hasn't been formally adopted. the draft says):

We know we can’t drill our way to energy independence and so we must summon all of our ingenuity and legendary hard work and we must invest in research, development, and deployment of forms of new energy–solar, wind, as well as technologies to store energy through advanced batteries and clean up our coal plants.

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/Platform%208%207%2008%20%282%29.pdf

2008 Obama Energy Plan:

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/factsheet_energy_speech_080308.pdf

Year after year, we put forward the notion that we have to do more domestically with green energy and that we have to get off of foreign oil, and republicans reject the plan.

The plans been the same since 1992 when Al Gore wrote Earth in the Balance.

[w8aminute]

I remember Jimmy Carter put solar panels on the White House & Reagan took them down. Is that far enough back?

[TN]

I had no idea that was pickens behind the swift boating of Kerry. Really though it was Kerry's fault he should have come out and said I volunteered to serve my country, I killed enemy, what did bush and cheney do? That is one problem with the dems, if you try to be nice you lose. You can bet your bottom dollar that republicans would not have stood for it. We must be able to tell it like it is, Wes Clark is a good example.

[Kwamo]

Obama did address it, saw it on the news. Also do you not think that Obama and Kerry have discussed this already? Obama is not a traitor to Kerry.

[JJeff88]

Just because someone is really really bad, doesn't mean they might not get lucky and come up with an idea that's really really good.

You just have to be careful and focus on the idea (& not the person). That's all.

[Mekarri]

Yes, jjeff88, you have to be careful and focus on the idea but keep your EYE on the person. Keep your friends close but your emenies closer.

[donttasemebro]

I am a little concerned that Obama is so quick to forgive and forget that T. Boone Pickens, through the Swift Boating of John Kerry, is responsible for the last 4 years of the Bush Administration.
I, for one, will not forget or forgive. At least not before T. Boone publicly appologizes to John Kerry.

[beachpoet]

I already know this will be deleted, but I need to say it anyway. I am so dismayed that Obama has turned out to be such an a** kisser - we deserved so much better.

[Shannon2008]

T. Boone called Obama.

[Shannon2008]

Also, John McCain has been in the Senate for 25 years. He's pandered to the oil companies.

[gladys46]

Think you have it twisted .... they are kissing O!!!

[ChiGuy]

The fact that your comment wasn't deleted allows me the opportunity to reply that when it comes to judging the overall character of the man, you're about as intellectually lacking as McKane..

[txgal44]

What do you mean "we"! You poser!