MCCAIN: THE LEXINGTON PROJECT

**The Reaper** · 06-25-2008, 14:48

What the POTUS should have done already.

Devil may be in the details, though.

TR

http://www.drudgereport.com/flash6.htm

MCCAIN: THE LEXINGTON PROJECT
Wed June 25, 2008 12:50:11 ET

In recent days I have set before the American people an energy plan, the Lexington Project Ð named for the town where Americans asserted their independence once before. And let it begin today with this commitment:Ê In a world of hostile and unstable suppliers of oil, this nation will achieve strategic independence by 2025.

This pledge is addressed to all concerned -- to those abroad whose power flows from an accident of geology, and to you, my fellow Americans, whose strength proceeds from unity of purpose. Together, we will break the power of OPEC over the United States. And never again will we leave our vital interests at the mercy of any foreign power.

Some will say this goal is unattainable within that relatively short span of years -- it's too hard and we need more time. Let me remind them that in the space of half that time -- about eight years -- this nation conceived and carried out a plan to take three Americans to the Moon and bring them safely home. In less than a third of that time, the gathered energies of my father's generation built the industrial might that overcame Nazi Germany and imperial Japan. That is the scale of our achievement when we set our minds to a task. That is what this country can do when we see a danger, and declare a purpose, and find the will to act.

As president, I will turn all the apparatus of government in the direction of energy independence for our country -- authorizing new production, building nuclear plants, perfecting clean coal, improving our electricity grid, and supporting all the new technologies that one day will put the age of fossil fuels behind us. Much will be asked of industry as well, as automakers and others adapt to this great turn toward new sources of power. And a great deal will depend on each one of us, as we learn to make smarter use of energy, and also to draw on the best ideas of both parties, and work together for the common good.

This Project is not a plan calibrated to please every interest group or to meet every objection. That is how we arrived to our present predicament. That is how energy policy in Washington became a long list of subjects avoided, options ruled out, and possibilities foreclosed. Nor can I promise you that the long-term success of this Project will bring instant relief.Ê In the mission of energy security, some tasks are the work of decades and some the work of years. And they will take all the will and resolve of which we are capable. But I can promise you this. Unless we begin this mission now, nothing will change at all, except for the worse. And when we succeed in the hard reform ahead, your children will live in a more prosperous country, in a more peaceful world.

# # #

JMI · 06-25-2008, 17:24

Quote:

Together, we will break the power of OPEC over the United States. .

OPEC? What about the top two countries, Canada and Mexico?

1. Canada
2. Mexico
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Venezuela
5. Nigeria
6. Angola
7. Iraq
8. Algeria
9. United Kingdom
10. Brazil

Those are the top ten countries that provide the US with oil. 6 belong to OPEC (3-8) but a large portion comes from 1-2.

There is a much better way of saying what he has to say without alienating OPEC, IMO.

jatx · 06-25-2008, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMI

OPEC? What about the top two countries, Canada and Mexico?

Your point is well taken, but leading with the invocation of a favorite boogeyman is sexier and will get more peoples' attention. I like the message, but at this point it is more of a mission statement than a plan.

**The Reaper** · 06-25-2008, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by jatx

Your point is well taken, but leading with the invocation of a favorite boogeyman is sexier and will get more peoples' attention. I like the message, but at this point it is more of a mission statement than a plan.

What is Obama's plan?

No new exploration. No new drilling. No new refineries.

Conserve, and pay more every month. Wait for renewable sources of energy.

What is next, telling us to turn the thermostat down and wear our sweaters? Oh, wait, he already did that.

When he and the Dem leadership says that it would take ten years for new drilling to affect prices, it just makes me wish Bill Clinton had not vetoed the last time we tried this, about ten years ago.

Lets come up with a plan, and then flesh it out as we go. Everyone is going to have to give up something for it to be comprehensive, and to work.

TR

**Ambush Master** · 06-25-2008, 20:15

Think about Obama's statement about the sudden rise in fuel prices!!! He said that he wished that it had not happend so abruptly, and had been slower!!!

He does'nt give a crap about how high it is!!!

Later
Martin

JMI · 06-25-2008, 20:40

I guess my point is McCain is taking OIL and making it a national security issue. So OPEC is a threat to our National Security? We buy 18% of our oil from OPEC, 16% from other nations, and the rest - 66% - of our oil comes from Western Nations.

66% from Great Britian, Mexico and Canada, yet "we will break the power OPEC has over our 'vital' interests?"

Not only is he using scare tactics, he is wrong in calling out OPEC. I am not a futures or commodities trader, but I am an educated American. If McCain pulls that same crap the Bush Admin pulled in 2000-2007, he deserves to be kicked to the curb.

Do I want Obama? Probably not. But I will give this man a listen if this kind of hypocrisy on the McCain side is all I have to go on. I am not interested in anything other than debates. I don't want commercials or ads for Dems or Repubs.

Debates and debates only. Take the ads out of the POTUS campaign.

Scare tactics are BS.

JMI · 06-25-2008, 21:05

And I find it intersting that in 2000 and 2004, the elections of Bush did not center around OIL. But all of a sudden, because of the Bush policies of a 2 front war, one being in OIL rich Iraq, that Democrats are being blamed for the OIL prices and not drilling in the US. Like Republicans made that a top prority when they held the White House and Congress.

Give me a break. The Republicans and Democrats are both to blame, and they have equal share in the idiotic policies that got us to where we're at. I think Republicans have done just as much damage as Democrats. So when Conservatives try to say that Obama is going to destroy America's way of life, I counter with Bush's 2 front war. Hasn't exactly been the best decsion we made as a country.

And for all the Obama Domestic Policies that are socialistic, most Americans disagree with him. Will he get some of these passed through Congress? Who knows. But I do know that Bush bypassed Congress on things that hurt us as well. No matter how much I agree with Bush and what he has done, he did cause major problems internationally and domestically becuase he could not articulate his thoughts or policies.

Kind of like me.

**Ambush Master** · 06-25-2008, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMI

And for all the Obama Domestic Policies that are socialistic, most Americans disagree with him. Will he get some of these passed through Congress?

Not with the way he's voted!!!................................. PRESENT!!!

**The Reaper** · 06-26-2008, 07:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMI

So when Conservatives try to say that Obama is going to destroy America's way of life, I counter with Bush's 2 front war. Hasn't exactly been the best decsion we made as a country.

I think you are mistaken, and have been drinking the MSM's Kool-Aid.

We are not fighting on two fronts, we are fighting a Global War on Terrorism. The two primary countries we are engaged in are in the same theater, and have the same enemy players.

If you think Obama is worth a look, you might do some reading on Jimmy Carter, and imagine it ten times worse. Incompetence, partisanship, and lack of experience, combined with raging socialism.

The Republican Congress passed drilling legislation under Clinton, but did not have the votes to override his veto.

Like it or not, domestic drilling is one of the necessary steps toward a responsible national energy policy. Or we can wait for oil to become prohibitively expensive, and go through an economic meltdown that makes the Great Depression look like a picnic. We cannot conserve our way out of this, or develop alternate, zero emission sources adequately before the train wreck occurs.

TR

jatx · 06-26-2008, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

What is Obama's plan?

I'm no Obama fan - but I also hope that McCain has enough command of substance to go beyond the platitudes above, otherwise we'll still be in the same place four years from now.

JMI · 06-26-2008, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

The Republican Congress passed drilling legislation under Clinton, but did not have the votes to override his veto.

Sir, I agree with Domestic Drilling. I disagree blaming Dems for the lack of policy. Bush had the House and Senate in 2000 and it was not a priority for his Administration. In 2008, 20/20 being hindsight, that would have been a good time to push it through, no?

Dems and Repubs are completely to blame for everything. To take a corner in support of one against the other is what drives me crazy. What was great about our Forefathers who wrote our Constitution was that they would have denounced both parties (Federalists Papers.)

I am sick at heart as an American watching one party try to chew the other apart like hypocrits. Pick a side? Pick a candidate? No thanks.

We need to find an avenue for those with real talent to run for office. We need to make running for POTUS open to the most talented America has to offer. That is not happening now.

Why do Governers and Senators have favored status? What about CEO's and CFO's and Lt Col's of SF?

JMI · 06-26-2008, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Like it or not, domestic drilling is one of the necessary steps toward a responsible national energy policy. Or we can wait for oil to become prohibitively expensive, and go through an economic meltdown that makes the Great Depression look like a picnic. We cannot conserve our way out of this, or develop alternate, zero emission sources adequately before the train wreck occurs.

TR

Sir, neither the Dems or Repubs are stearing us off this course. If so, we would have a plan in place already. And I disagree with the meltdown and "Depression" analogy. Paying $7 a gallon means Americans adapt, not succomb. We have always found ways to overcome adversity, and if you think "an economic meltdown that makes the Great Depression look like a picnic" is on the way, then you have little faith in Americans and our future.

I am sorry you feel that way, Sir.

06-26-2008, 20:45

I don't think it's just a "feeling". Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The causes of the Great Depression are debated, but the hubris of our leadership at the time didn't help the situation. We take our economy and well-being for granted. It's nice to have "confidence" in America and it's people (although that confidence seems to be challenged daily) but if we continue to fiddle while Rome burns, economic and political forces could cause a breakdown in the social fabric. By that time, "I told you so" just won't matter. If we are not doing everything to advance, we are falling behind, squandering our position in the world. But some people sleep safe in their beds (for now) and Baby Alex doesn't ever have to worry about anything bad happening because we are such a great country. I sincerely hope you are right.

JMI · 06-26-2008, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remington Raidr

We take our economy and well-being for granted. It's nice to have "confidence" in America and it's people (although that confidence seems to be challenged daily) but if we continue to fiddle while Rome burns, economic and political forces could cause a breakdown in the social fabric. .

I am not sure I follow you. We have the largest economy in the world by a large margin. There is nothing really to take for granted - the US economy is the very reason Brazil, China and India are going to be GIANT economies. We do not thwart growth in the global economy, we spend our time promoting it.

While Rome burns?? LOL. How is it burning? We live in the most peaceful time in the history of the world. People living on a $1 a day was 40% of the worlds population in 1990. In 2008 that figure is 18%. We live in a world right now that is safer than anytime in history - EVER.

Rome burns, huh? Breakdown in what 'social fabric?'

As I said we live in the most peaceful time in the history of the World. Period.

3SoldierDad · 06-27-2008, 07:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMI

Sir, neither the Dems or Repubs are stearing us off this course. If so, we would have a plan in place already. And I disagree with the meltdown and "Depression" analogy. Paying $7 a gallon means Americans adapt, not succomb. We have always found ways to overcome adversity, and if you think "an economic meltdown that makes the Great Depression look like a picnic" is on the way, then you have little faith in Americans and our future.

I am sorry you feel that way, Sir.

Americans are best with their backs to the wall. We are a culture of extreme problem solvers. However, it should be noted we do NOTHING unless the challenge is pressing, urgent, and imminent - the danger must be right on top of us - extreme. With $7 per gallon gas - You'd have 300 million people making a mad dash to fix the problem. Americans loathe unnecessary pain.

Our imaginations must be engaged to respond. With Energy - We're getting there.

Pain is good.

Three Soldier Dad...Chuck