Energy

Big Oil, Robin Hayes, and Patrick McHenry

admin — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:45:47 -0600

Chairman Chris Van Hollen announced today that the DCCC is launching the “Independence from Big Oil” campaign and will run radio ads against Representatives Robin Hayes (NC-08) and Patrick McHenry (NC-10), who both have stood with George Bush and Big Oil while North Carolina’s middle class families are being squeezed by the highest gas prices in history. The radio ads were recorded by a comedian impersonating President Bush.

“We will be going district-by-district to hold House Republicans accountable for helping President Bush give tax breaks to profitable Big Oil companies and doing nothing to help hardworking middle class Americans who are paying more than $4.00 per gallon at the pump,” said Chairman Chris Van Hollen. “This Independence Day, the American people deserve to be liberated from the Big Oil policies of President Bush and the rubber stamp House Republicans.”

Obama to Close the Enron Loophole

admin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:32:47 -0600

Obama Announces Plan to Fully Close the Enron Loophole, Crack Down on Excessive Energy Speculation

Senator Barack Obama today announced his plan to crack down on excessive energy speculation and fully close the "Enron Loophole" to ease the impact skyrocketing gas prices. The Enron Loophole was created by McCain campaign co-chair Phil Gramm at the behest of Enron-just one example of the special interest politics that put the interests of Big Oil and speculators ahead of the interests of working people. And the American people have seen the results: record corporate profits while Americans pay record prices at the pump.

Robin Hayes Profits from Record Gas Prices

admin — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:11:58 -0600

With up to $23 Million in Big Oil Stock, Robin Hayes Profits from North Carolinians Paying Record Prices at the Pump

Hardworking North Carolinians may question why Congressman Robin Hayes sides with Big Oil and against them as they struggling to pay record-high gas prices.

Financial reports released this week could explain why -- Robin Hayes owns up to $23 million in Big Oil stock, meaning that Hayes actually profits off of North Carolinians struggling with record prices at the pump.

While Hayes makes money on his millions in investments when Big Oil makes record profits, he also voted to give Big Oil $85 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies. Big Oil has thanked him with nearly $175,000 in campaign contributions.

McCain 180 on Off-shore Drilling

admin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:43:31 -0600

MCCAIN CAVES TO BIG OIL ON OFF-SHORE DRILLING

1999: McCain, Campaigning In California, Endorsed A Moratorium On Offshore Oil Drilling. "For a moment, Republican presidential hopeful John McCain almost sounded like a San Francisco liberal. The Arizona senator said yesterday that gays and lesbians would be welcome to serve in his administration. He decried the influence of money in politics. He endorsed a moratorium on offshore oil drilling." [San Francisco Chronicle, 7/29/99]

1999: McCain Supports The Current Moratorium On Oil Drilling. "In response to a query of the candidates, Gore and Bradley promised to support the existing moratorium, in addition to opposing the leases. Both also say they will work with the seven oil companies holding leases to find alternatives to drilling. That could mean canceling the leases, or buying out the companies in a deal like the one that secured the Headwaters Forest. McCain supports the current moratorium, but hasn't decided on the pending leases. Steve Forbes hasn't replied to questions about oil drilling." [Ventura County Star, 11/15/99]

Daniel Johnson's Op-ed on Lower Gas Prices

admin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:57:47 -0600

Hickory Daily Record

Our nation faces a grave energy crisis, but with the right leadership, we can convert this challenge into a great opportunity to create jobs, strengthen our national security, and protect our natural resources.

Skyrocketing gas prices are busting our family budgets and shrinking our businesses’ bottom lines. At the same time, America’s dependence on Middle East oil leaves our national security at the mercy of unstable and sometimes hostile foreign regimes. Our addiction to foreign oil is an economic issue, a security issue, and a moral issue that requires immediate action.

We cannot leave this crisis for our children to solve.

Dole Has Had 40 Years to Get it Right on Energy Policy and Simply Hasn't

kbolton — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:32:34 -0600

GREENSBORO, N.C. – State Senator and U.S. Senate Nominee Kay Hagan (D-Guilford) was in Raleigh today to talk to consumers about the drastic increase in the price of gas. When Elizabeth Dole took office in 2003, the average price of gas was $1.52 per gallon. Earlier this week average prices skyrocketed to a record $4.08 per gallon. Kay is prepared to advocate for hardworking North Carolinians who need a break at the pump, and today she met local drivers at the Glenwood Village Exxon to learn first-hand about how record gas prices are affecting these individuals and their families.

Kissell Brings Us Back to $1.22 a Gallon

admin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:09:21 -0600

At least for a day...

Larry Kissell, the Democratic Nominee for Congress in North Carolina's 8th District, is all over TV news, news wires and political blogs this morning, after helping hundreds of struggling motorists on Father's Day with $1.22 per gallon gas, the price when Robin Hayes first took office. All indications point to one thing - this race is heating up, and will be the one to watch in November.

Just look what people were saying about the campagn at yesterday's event:

With Gas $4.08 a Gallon, Dole Refuses to Acknowledge Working Families

admin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:16:59 -0600

As average gas prices again increased overnight to a record high, Kay Hagan’s U.S. Senate Campaign released the following statement.

Dole Callously Puts Special Interests Ahead of North Carolina Interests

kbolton — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:30:42 -0600

GREENSBORO, N.C. – While working North Carolinian families struggle to make ends meet paying $4 per gallon at the gas pump, Elizabeth Dole again voted today against a measure to redirect $17 billion in tax incentives and subsidies for big oil and gas towards clean energy entrepreneurs and impose a windfall tax on their record profits. Hagan Communications Director Colleen Flanagan issued the following statement.

Do You Like High Gas Prices and a Sputtering Economy? -- Vote McCain

kbolton — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:08:26 -0600

JOHN MCCAIN PROMISES A THIRD BUSH TERM ON THE ECONOMY

Cost of "Four More Years" Budget Placed At $6.3 TRILLION. A CBO report called "January Budget and Economic Outlook" showed continued deterioration in the budget outlook with the projected 2008 deficit growing to $219 billion.

But as bad as the budget situation has become under the current Republican Administration, continuation of the Republican policies by any of the Republicans on stage tonight will only make things worse.