Sarah Palin and Boone Pickens: Birds of a Feather

During last week's Vice Presidential debate Sarah Palin got global warming backwards. The next day, her first order of business was meeting with Texas oil man Republican operative T. Boone Pickens.

Since no members of the media were present, the only information we have comes from Pickens himself. Not the best source of information, but we'll take what we can get.

T. Boone's account of their meeting raises three questions.

This is rich.

Governor Palin comes from an energy state, and I'll tell you, she gets this energy situation. We talked about it like two oil and gas professionals.

As has been pointed out repeatedly, Sarah Palin does not "get" the energy situation. See this, this and this. Truth be told, she probably "gets" the energy situation about as well as Pickens himself gets global warming.

We spent some time talking about ANWR--the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We didn't agree on how much oil is up there, but I told her I was all for drilling. You know what I say about this: I'm for anything American.

This should come as no surprise. Palin has been fudging the facts about Alaskan oil reserves and production since she was plucked out of thin air five weeks ago:

After FactCheck.org pointed out that Alaska is actually responsible for only 3.5 percent of the country's domestic energy production, Palin began re-phrasing her claim. But in an interview with Sean Hannity on Wednesday McCain continued to repeat the debunked claim.

Will she figure this one out, or continue repeating this lie?

And finally:

Her husband Todd sat in on the meeting. You know that he's a steelworker in the oil fields during the Alaskan summers, so he understands a good bit of this, too. He was interested in the concept of filling your vehicle in your garage overnight using the same gas line that goes to your kitchen range and hot water heater.

A lot of questions have been asked about Todd Palin's role in policy decisions. Why is Governor Palin's husband so involved in policy meetings on a subject she claims is her strongest? If Sarah Palin was such an energy expert with so many great ideas on the issue, wouldn't she have had a one on one meeting with Pickens, without the first dude getting in the way?

Here is the bottom line: If either T. Boone Pickens or Sarah Palin has a say in the future of our energy policy, we are in serious trouble.

Follow Josh Nelson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/josh_nelson

Comments

[Mike Johnston]

I think that you are speaking from a rather partisan position and I am not sure that position is tenable or even relevant in this case. Yes Boone Pickens is very rich and obviously Republican. But bashing him because of some stereotypical "eat the rich" mindset doesn't make for a good story.

I have been watching Boone's Pickens Plan campaign and I have seen it develop as a truly non-partisan effort. As part of that effort he has spoken to the candidates on both sides. I would probably have a meeting with Ms. Palin myself if a reason for it arose. My interest in her is more "bug in a jar" than sexual but it would be fun to analyze her for a while.

[WomenBiz]

It is sad to me that so many negative things are being written about Mr. Pickens and the PickensPlan.com. Have you ever listened to his whole presentation? Are you a member of the site PickensPlan.com? And by the way, what is your plan to get America off of foreign oil?

I support T. Boone Pickens!!

[antiparanoid]

Swift-boat Pickens.

[dannyb23]

Antiparanoid,
hey man, go check out what is going on at the pickens site. Log into it and poke around. If you care about getting off oil, I would suggest you join and engage in the debate. If you know anything about Global Warming, Peak oil, Solar power, any alternative energy systems, your voice would be welcomed. Many people on the site from vastly different political perspectives, talking about energy and how to move congress to fix the problem.
Really, become part of the solution.
dan

[dannyb23]

Josh,
I would recommend that you check out the Pickens site and look around at the community. We are a very large, over 170,000 strong, group of non-partisan people who are all talking about energy. Conservatives, Progressives, discussing all aspects of the energy problem. We are looking at all aspects of it.
The Pickens Plan is sound, move us onto an electric economy and use a cleaner source of fuel for some purposes, like automobiles. You may not agree with all he stands for but the Plan is an excellent one. Check it out man, you might be pleasantly surprised.

dan

[RealSolutions]

What America needs now is solutions. T-Boone pickens has been the best advocate we have for the use of locally produced, renewable fuel. If you want cleaner energy it is time to get behind something. You are very vehement in your post against Mr. Pickens, but fail to make any mention of a solution of your own.

In doing so you have stood up for stagnation, and the failed systems that have put us in to this position to begin with. It is this very attitude of attacking solutions, while providing none, that has allowed Washington to lead us to where we are at today. Is it not clear that weak politicians and their policies of greed have been allowed to flourish because of people who tear down the visionaries that could make a difference.

You fail to mention that Mr. Pickens plan is bi-partisan, you fail to mention that he also met with Barack Obama. Instead you make the reckless, and unsupported asertion that Mr. Pickens is a Republican operative. Open your mind to the fact that real solutions will only come as a Bi-Partisan effort. To tear him down because he had a positive meeting with a candidate you don't like does no good for anybody.

We need to reach out to every candidate on this issue however, regardless of our political feelings, or you know what you will get in the end.

A bunch of disgruntled people, and a policy of drill drill drill.

[ollyp]

i have been a registered democrat for years this is the first time i am voting republican but only because
I can't warm up to Obama
Obama did not pick Hilary (or i would be voting democrat)
I love Palin's Grit
McCain truly wants to serve his country
BOONE PICKENS IS A DYNAMITE GUY! HE'S GOT MY VOTE TOO...

(remember when you take all this too seriously you're missing out on the fun!!!!!!! this is one country we don't get imprisoned or executed for having an opinion...so whatever you're opinion say it nicely because others have theirs too. xoxoxoxo

[Clynton]

In my opinion, T. Boone has turned the page on his oily past. He still prefers Republicans and is still interested in his natural gas and water investments. Right now however, he's too busy trying to get people to sign up to end dependence on foreign oil. In that effort at least he has been non-partisan - and has created a non-partisan website. Call it bumbling or genius, but the proof is in the quality and diversity of the members.
Don't get hung up on Pickens and his "agenda" - he's just responding with his opinion - not with any action (or money) behind every answer he gives. "I support all things American" is just short hand for "I don't care what you do to help our country, just get out there and do it." He's meeting with every high level politician to make sure they do something about foreign oil. Will it matter if the McCain/Palin ticket wins or loses the election? No.
The question is, what are "YOU" going to do about our energy crisis? Care about swiftboats? Vote for Obama. Hate T. Boone's friends? Vote for Democrats. Scared about the water issue? Block the water licenses. T. Boone getting too rich off clean energy? Buy wind turbines from someone else. If you care about energy independence then forget about who started this effort and join the ordinary folks making an extraordinary difference on PickensPlan.com
Say hi when you get there.
Clynton

[ee61star]

In MY OPINION...
"I can't warm up to Obama" : Translation: "I can't vote for a BLACK man."
"Obama did not pick Hilary (or I would be voting democrat)": Translation: "I support 'political extortion'."
"I love Palin's Grit" : Translation: "I love that SHE can say, what I WISH I could!"
"McCain truly wants to serve his country" : Translation: "If he doesn't win this time, it's OVER for him!"
"BOONE PICKENS IS A DYNAMITE GUY! HE'S GOT MY VOTE TOO...": Translation: ...LOLOLOL!! ... WAKE UP, PEOPLE!! IT'S LATER THAN YOU THINK!!
May I suggest that you reconsider your decision, I mean, it SHOULD be a LOT easier to "warm up" with a HANDSOME, HEALTHY, YOUNG, ENERGETIC, EMPATHETIC AND INTELLIGENT CANDIDATE, than a candidate who is, at best, someone whose BEST DAYS ARE BEHIND HIM... News Flash!! HILLARY IS AN OBAMA-BIDEN SUPPORTER!! SO IS BILL!! If you were REALLY a DEMOCRAT, YOU WOULD NOT VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN UNDER THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES!! John McCain has ALREADY served his country; honorably enough. He had a shot in 2000; didn't get it done.
As far as Sarah Palin's "Grit"...How much 'grit' do you NEED to be a "Republican Political Parrot"?? I don't know about YOU, but I would like to see someone SMARTER than the two candidates on the McCain/Palin ticket! in the white house! Try not to get some of that 'grit' in your eye! It can be BLINDING!
Peace....VOTE!! OBAMA_BIDEN '08!!

[harriscrl3]

Pickens is a lying UNTRUSTWORTHY rethug. Dems should NOT be fooled by him he is still a RETHUG. He flatout LIED to David Gregory and said Obama has no Energy Plan. Democrats should NEVER trust this proven LIAR and SWIFTBOATER

Carol

[jcg1]

Carol,
You speak as one who knows Boone personally. I wonder if you really do. Or is this negative rhetoric just frustration that you don't have a better plan? Or is it that Boone is an oil man? It seems as if oil is bad in your mind. And yet Boone is trying to free you from the dependence on foreign oil. Could it be that prejudice is affecting your judgment?

[ballewb]

Shallowly reasoned and poorly written. Your links to how Palin and Pickens don't "get" energy and global warming are not instructive on your claim adn therefore do not bolster your argument.

The inference that Todd Palin's presence at the meeting must mean that Gov. Palin is not an energy expert is a non sequitur, or logical fallacy that your conclusion does not follow from your premise.

The hostility toward Mr. Pickens is unexplained other than in your link I discussed earlier. That link is on equal footing with the poor reasoning and weak arguments in this post.

[drumz]

Lookie, a 22%er. Open your eyes fool you are being played. Pickens is only looking after Pickens, always has, always will. Not to be trusted.

[Gidster]

He will drain Colorado water for Vegas golf courses!

[mightyhead]

I have to agree there. The Pickens plan seems pretty sound to me, though I'm averse to his political leanings. He probably has more interest in making money than he lets on, but at least it's a plan. I'm not an expert, but it seems fairly close to Obama's - we can't keep shipping our wealth to foreign oil producers and expect to stay strong.

[justobserve]

I saw Pickens's ads on TV and thought he is for renewable energy. Now after he recount his meeting with the empty-headed Palin who "gets" energy (meaning oil and gas to her) I now distrust Pickens to do anything for our energy policy, especially when Todd Palin sat in in the meeting and "understands the concept of having the gas to fill up the car the way kitchen gas is used". Shouldn't any third grader would understand that too? The Palins are governor and First dude but it seems they lied about EVERYTHING, from their worry about health insurance (Todd and his children would qualify for free, federally funded, comprehensive health care under a program of the Dept. of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service) to saying they are "small business" and they would have to pay more tax under Obama's plan (Obama cut tax for earners under 250K (so do Palins earn under 250K like the majority of small businesses or not? Or they are McCain's middle class earning around $5 million?) to her son in Iraq (due to his choice of going to jail for vandalism of school buses or joining the army) to anti-earmark but kept $450 million for the "No thanks" bridge. Her lies are too numerous to recount here. McCAIN-2008: FIGHTING AGAINST McCAIN-2000. PALIN: PROMISED OPENNESS BUT SECRETIVE IN GOVERNMENT. GAMBLE OUR COUNTRY WITH TWO DIVISIVE, RECKLESS MAVERICKS IN THE WHITE HOUSE?

[Benj4Peace]

Say what you will... Boone Pickens is a wise man, creating a legacy that is clearly building movement towards a future that relies on renewable resources. History will prove this out. So what if he said nice things about Palin? It does not take away from what we (Obama camp) are creating.

God bless the Pickens Plan, God bless this man devoting his own time and resources to a nonpartisan awareness and demand for ENERGY REFORM.

[ballewb]

And who cares if he makes a mint doing it? There is nothing wrong with being wealthy.

[RoadGhost]

After years of Republican congress and white house, Dems yet cannot control legislation
(60 vote rule/veto.)

Home prices were inflated by wall street robber barons, interest rates lowered, loan applications manipulated by the lenders.

By bundling/selling loans, huge profits were had by raising rates then dumped on Fannie/Freddie, taxpayers take the losses.

A strong economy is a large well paid middle class with money to spend, not a feudal system of Nobles and peasants.

McCain is trying to portray himself as a populist, his handlers recognize citizens demand a reversal of Reagan - Bush II raid of American paychecks.

McCain is a populist like Hefner is a virgin.

A healthy economy is a pyramid, broad at the base, narrow at the top. When greed, influence, and legalized crime reverse this pyridine, society fails. This truth has been accomplished by the robber barons of the present.

The American work force has achieved the greatest productivity in history while real wages have declined. The only administration in the last 30 years to increase public buying power was "90-"94, and house republicans crucified them for it.

Billions taken by Halliburton/Brown & Root/KBR from taxpayers are being banked in Dubai to avoid taxes. Can such shelters still be tolerated?

Put aside battle lines,do something for the people instead of the privileged. If there is hope, we must end hate based competition, reform the system, & reverse the "blame the victim" propaganda of the far right.

[ballewb]

Home prices were inflated by wall street robber barons . . .

Home prices were also inflated when people derived the value of their home from the guess of a real estate agent rather than a qualified appraiser. There is a fundamental problem when $5k is put into a house for upgrades and the resulting value of the house is raised by $20k.

If you've ever seen a home improvement show this is exactly what happens. The agent comes in with their commission in mind and determines a price relative to comparable homes in the area. That stinks like sh#t.

First, higher prices mean the agent makes a bigger commission and the seller makes more money, so both parties have incentive to go high. The actual value added to something is the value of materials and labor used. That's it.

Second, the value of one property is based on the land and the improvements thereon. A property at one location may appear similar another in the area, but a multitude of factors (quality of materials and labor, the presence of minerals, efficiency of the home, etc) could make the actual value of the properties widely different.

[thepalinator]

What I wondered when I saw the pics of them together last Friday was, did she ask him to reconsider funding swiftboat style ads against Obama? Because he was one of several guys behind the originals. He said he wouldn't fund any this election b/c he's focusing on his energy plan...

[utahindependent]

It is amazing to me the amount of misinformation out there about the Pickens Plan. I suggest that a visit to the Pickens Plan website might clear up a lot of what is floating out there in the conspiracy kingdom. Yeah so Boone is building the biggest wind warm in Texas--the Pickens Plan is a legislative effort that will make it easier for ANYONE wanting to develop wind as an energy source. Look across the US-- there are planned wind projects everywhere and hey they aren't OWNED BY BOONE). The current red tape for their development would make anyone want to pull their nails out one by one rather than go thru the process. Get a clue America. We need to develop alternative energy sources and Boone has the clout to do it. Thank God someone with his brains and money has taken it on--otherwise once again any legislation to encourage the development of that alternative energy would get mired in the tar pits of Capitol Hill. Get on board or come up with a better solution and oh yeah be willing to back up your solution with the bucks.

[KillTheMessenger]

So how much is Mr. T paying for trolls do show up on Huffpo to sell his nonsense? Is it by the hour or per post?

[arizonanative]

How much is the opposition paying you to make your uninformed, emotionally driven comments? If you looked at the Pickens Plan with any level of dispassion you could clearly see the sense it makes. Unfortunately there will always be those individuals who refuse to see the forest for the trees and divide individuals into two categories--good and evil. There are many people supporting the Pickens Plan who do not share any common ideology other than finding a solution to a very real problem. Most of us are tired of the name calling and back and forth mud slinging. We stand behind a guy willing to come up with a Plan and take the hits! Go Boone.

[Sumocat]

It should be noted that Pickens' goal is energy independence, not necessarily clean energy. It happens that wind is renewable, but it's the abundance of wind that makes it integral to his plan. Doesn't really matter if Pickens "gets" global warming because it's not why he's pushing wind.

[Alexandro]

No, his goal is to sell us his Natural Gas first! When that is all used up, he will sell us his EXPENSIVE Wind energy.
He's not in it to make us energy independent or environmentally friendly - he simply prefers selling HIS Natural Gas to us instead of us having to import Oil. NCG will not replace the current choice of fuel for the majority of cars. Not even remotely. While it helps, it won't do so in significant numbers.
Same accounts for Fuel Cell cars. Also not a solution. No infrastructure. They only do that so they can sell us "just another Fuel" at the pump. Replacing 1 drug with another.

So Pickens plan is extremely short sighted and only serves one purpose: making profit.

[KillTheMessenger]

Mr. T's only plan is to make more money for Mr. T. Isn't that obvious?

[ballewb]

As I have often said about other environmental issues, the only way you will get it done is to make it either profitable or a national security cocern. Mr. Pickens is doing it both ways. If he is successful, he will make a mint, and good for him.

[emmaspeaks]

PIckens IQ and respectability just went down 10, if not 20 points.

[ballewb]

Support your conclusion.

[Kindheart]

He didn't have any respectability to begin with. As far as his IQ, we don't give IQ tests anymore, so I can't say anything.

[HeevenSteven]

Palin being an energy expert is the biggest joke of the whole campaign. She wouldn't know kilowatts from megajoules, or anything about production distribution and use. Zip, nada, zero!

All she knows is those oil companies and the taxes she extracts from them give her political clout; you betchya.