Over the past few weeks we've seen glowing praise for T. Boone Pickens from Democrats such as Carl Pope, Harry Reid, Dick Durbin and Paul Begala. Even Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama got in on the action, saying "T. Boone Pickens is right. We need a much bolder and much bigger set of solutions." This is a grave mistake.
To make matters worse, I've just learned that Pickens will be speaking at The Big Tent in Denver next week. Why is this anti-environmentalist being given a platform at an event which appears to be concerned about the environment? I intend to get answers next week in Denver.
Aside from the fact that the natural gas component of The Pickens Plan is fatally flawed, there are several other reasons Democrats and environmentalists have no business praising or providing a platform for this man.
1. He is a Republican Operative
Since 1980, Pickens has made over $5 million in political donations.[13] He was a financial supporter of President George W. Bush and contributed heavily to both his Texas and national political campaigns. In 2004, Pickens contributed to 527 Republican groups, including a $3 million contribution to the Swift Vets and POWs for Truth attacking Bush's rival, John Kerry, and $2.5 million to the Progress for America advocacy group. In 2005, Pickens was among 53 entities that contributed the maximum of $250,000 to the second inauguration of President George W. Bush.[14][15][16]
On July 16, 2007, Pickens wrote an article for the National Review supporting Rudy Giuliani for President. "In Rudy Giuliani, a gracious and committed public servant I've known for many years, we see that rare blend of big-picture vision and proven track record of achieving the 'impossible.' We see a forward-looking, accomplished executive eager to tackle the challenges of today's America and ensure that tomorrow we wake up stronger, freer, and more united than ever before."[17] Pickens was an executive-committee member of the Rudy Giuliani presidential committee.
What makes Obama and others so sure that Pickens won't give a major speech in October endorsing John McCain's energy plan as the prudent path forward?
2. He Cannot be Trusted to Keep His Word
As Firedoglake pointed out, Pickens reneged on his offer to give $1 million if anyone could disprove the Swift Boat Veterans' claims.
Rich Texas bastard T. Boone Pickens boasted that he would give $1 million to anyone who can disprove "even a single charge" leveled by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, who he funded to the tune of $3 milion. Kerry offered to meet with Pickens and do so, with the million dollars going to veterans' charities.
But now Pickens is reneging:
Pickens, who provided $3 million to bankroll the group during Kerry's race against President Bush, responded by saying he won't consider giving Kerry the reward unless he surrenders his combat films, additional military records and wartime journal.
There's an old saying in Texas...
3. He Supports Drilling EVERYWHERE
On CNN:
BLITZER: What about drilling offshore? There's a debate. As you know, McCain says, yes, go ahead and drill off the coasts of Florida and California. Obama says, no.
You're an oilman. What do you say?
PICKENS: OK. McCain says, OK off the East and West Coasts. I say East, West Coast and ANWR. Get it all. I mean, to get off of foreign oil, that is the enemy. Get everything you can get. You cannot drill your way out of it. But you're drilling, and whatever you are able to find and put into the domestic system will help us. But you -- you aren't going to be able to find enough to take care of all the imports that we have.
4. He is Supporting John McCain
T. Boone Pickens says he supports Sen. John McCain in the presidential race...
...Pickens denied reports he's promised to contribute heavily to a new conservative organization being formed to run ads boosting McCain and undercutting the Democratic nominee. Pickens, a major contributor to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which spent heavily on ads attacking Democrat John Kerry in 2004, said he'd "put up money to lobby to get rid of" such groups, known as 527s and loosely regulated under federal election laws. "But," he added, "if we're going to have them, I'd consider [donating to them] again."
Can anyone explain to me why I am supposed to put up with leaders of the environmental movement and Democratic party praising a man who is an enemy of both? The bottom line is this: Anyone who claims to care about the planet and collaborates with or legitimizes this guy comes off as foolish and loses major credibility.
Cross-posted at The Seminal.