Sierra Club: McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy

Sierra Club: McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy

Published on Aug 29, 2008 - 9:12:13 AM

Washington, DC Aug, 29, 2008 - Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope issues the following statement in reaction to Senator McCain's pick of Governor Sarah Palin for Vice President:

"With the pick of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for his running mate, John McCain's race towards the Bush administration's failed energy policy is now complete."

"John McCain was once willing to stand up to his own party, but now that he is running for President, he supports the same Bush policies and powerful special interests that put us in the grip of the oil companies. One of the last remaining independent policies putting him at odds with Bush was his opposition to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, yet he has now picked a running mate who has opposed holding Big Oil accountable and been dismissive of alternative energy while focusing her work on more oil drilling in a wildlife refuge and off of our coasts."

"Palin herself told Roll Call earlier this week, 'When I look every day, the big oil company's building is right out there next to me, and it's quite a reminder that we should have mutually beneficial relationships with the oil industry.'" (Roll Call, 8/25/08)

"No one is closer to the the oil industry than Governo Palin. Along with her support for drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge and off our coasts, she also opposes a windfall profit tax on the richest oil companies. Under her leadership, Alaska has sued the federal governent for considering listing the Polar Bear as a threatened species even though global warming threatens its very existence. She has been dismissive of alternative energy, saying "alternative-energy solutions are far from imminent and would require more than 10 years to develop" (The Post and Courier Charleston, SC, 8/16/08), when in reality it is the oil she would like to drill that would take a decade to bring to market."

"Senator McCain has lost any chance of having a balanced or moderate ticket with this choice and has instead opted for the same, business-as-usual reliance on the outdated oil companies that has been the hallmark of the Bush-Cheney administration. On the third anniversay of the hurricane that knocked loose oil rigs and spilled millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf Coast that is bracing for another hit, McCain is sending a terribly indifferent message by selecting a candidate who only repeats Big Oil's talking points."

"Senators Obama and Biden share the common goals of putting America back to work by building a balanced clean energy economy, taking on Big Oil and meeting the challenge of global warming. Under their leadership, our economy can become stronger, and our world cleaner and safer."

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Comments

Emily Bradley
13 Sep 2008, 18:04

The thing that is so scary is that McCain has a chance to win. Sarah Palin is an airhead who doesn't know what her party's platform is. She is a liar also. Why do we as citizens not speak out about the distortions in the ads released by the McCain campaign? I just hope that most of us are not empty headed morons and believe that McCain has any character at all. Palin is no Hillary- not even close!

Peggy Hamilton
10 Sep 2008, 19:58

I have trouble with the religious right and Sarah Palin not because these people believe in God, (I do too) but because it is so dangerous when people start talking FOR God! Look at the trouble this has caused in the world; the Crusades, the Inquisition, the torture, the put-down of the scientists of the middle ages, and now the cults that we have witnessed in our lifetime; to name only a few, Jim Jones, the Texas slaughter, the parents who won't seek help for their dying children, all the poor people who come to your door to preach the "word of God" as told to them at their meetings. But the worst yet in our lifetime are the terrorists' view of the Koran, accepting one interpretation of the book among many. I actually feel a little sorry for them when at their last suicidal breath they know the seventy virgins are not coming! One of the reasons for the founding of this country was religious freedom. But for your own religion to be free it must be yours alone, no coercing anyone. All of the sincere religious people pretty much keep it to themselves. So the one place it DOESN'T belong is in our government! Peg Hamilton

Greg Smith
02 Sep 2008, 23:30

Well, let's see. Palin took on corruption in her own party in Alaska, much of which involved the oil companies. All you Obama dittoheads, please detail the times Obama took on the corrupt Chicago political machine through which he rose. And lack of experience? Do you really want to have that discussion? On that basis, not only does McCain have far more experience than Obama, but being the governor of even a small state makes for far more executive experience than a few years in a state legislature and a few more as a Senator.

I have been a member of the Sierra Club for almost twenty-five years. The Sierra Club used to be at least somewhat non-partisan but in the last several years it has become simply a branch of the Democratic Party and thus has discredited itself with many independents.

CJ Cummings
01 Sep 2008, 16:58

I think we can all agree that Palin is a terribly stupid pick. And whoever said this reeks of Rove, I agree. They are trying to sucker Dems into losing focus on the real issues: The wars, the economy, energy, global warming, etc. They are hoping that instead, all the debate and discussion will get refocused onto Palin. DON'T LET THIS happen! Hillary did it right- give her the (very) little bit of respect she deserves, then quickly move forward to the REAL issues.

Nellie Alexander
31 Aug 2008, 18:29

It's obvious that Palin has ties to big oil and Dick Cheney. I bet she's on Exxon's payroll as we write these comments. We should investigate her connections with big oil and her income sources from big oil companies. Why else would she want to drill in the wildlife refuge? She must have a big money stake in drilling.

Virginia McIntyre
31 Aug 2008, 17:12

My comments echo all those who have already written about McCain's choice of Palin to be his running mate. From what I've been able to read and have been able to determine from that reading is that either McCain has "lost it"...wanted to appear sensational...underestimated the wisdom of the women of our country in an attempt to put a woman in office...ANY woman which, in my opinion, is an insult to my intelligence and, I believe, to the intelligence of any thoughtful-thinking woman in our country. I have to question how much, if any, vetting of Palin was done prior to this choice by McCain. From what I have read of her background, I would have to conclude that this was just a "quick pick"that was thought to be something that would "excite" the base and, at the same time, "throw" the American people into a whirlwind that would, in turn, excite McCain. In our society...our world as we know it, I cannot even fathom Palin responding to that infamous 3 a.m. call to the White House. Perhaps this is the most striking...AND most frightening aspect of McCain's choice!!! As many before me have said...Palin is just a "heartbeat" away from undertaking the most important and crucial position in our country. I have to question what our allies think of this choice...AND, perhaps, even most importantly, what our enemies might think of this choice.

Terry McGafflin
31 Aug 2008, 15:40

Interesting...John McCain picked a running mate who's governmental experience include being mayor of a town of 9000, and governor of Alaska for less than 2 years, who's 2008 population is only 626,932 (less than some U.S. cities).

No doubt part of his strategy in picking Sarah is an attempt to woo the disenfranchised Hillary Clinton voters who are not enamored with Obama. Hmmmm....let's see...let's consider Sarah for a moment:

* She is against a woman's right to choose
* She wants to put creationism back into schools, AND...
* She's a member of the NRA, loves to hunt & has shot & killed many wild animals in the Alaskan wilderness, apparently just for the fun of it.

Last time I checked none of these issues were on Hillary Clinton's "to-do" list...

davidlynch
31 Aug 2008, 13:49

this has karl rove written all over it. -this is designed to distract us from important issues. this is like the nat. guard letter about Bush which distracted us from reality. it is how Rove frames the debate.

we should be asking why rove and cheneys staff went to georgia just before the georgia -russia war which happened right after. and which jm was prepared for but barak o. was on vac. in hawai and did not look presidential.

A war to manipulate public opinion? sound familiar? Where is the outcry and oversight?

Zach Mann
31 Aug 2008, 00:10

I'd like to say something clever and funny about McCain's monumental brain fart in choosing the oil guzzling, Jesus Jumping, moose murdering, hockey mom for VP, but folks, there is absolutely nothing funny about it. There is, afterall, a real chance that he could be elected. He is 72 years old and has already had cancer. If, and probably when, he succumbs to the cruel tides of passing time, she would become president. Somehow I just don't believe that her lofty position on the PTA or her mayoralship at Tiny Town leave her uniquely qualified to be the Commander and Chief of the most powerul armed forces in the history of mankind. Of course, I should not diminish her impeccable record as the governor of Alaska, which is known the world over as a hotbed of social and economic trial and tribulation.

Sandra Scholl
30 Aug 2008, 21:30

McCain introduced Palin to a large group of folks in Washington, Pa after saying, "When you get to know her, you will be as impressed as I am." Hmmmmmmmmm? Before announcing his pick yesterday, he had talked to her once by phone and met her once. Maybe he has that eye-soul connection that Bush has with Putin in addition to a voice-ear-soul thing. God help us all! This certainly pin points McClone's total lack of judgement. But, hey, she is a soccer Mom and he is a POW.

jim Louloudes
30 Aug 2008, 21:13

Sounds like the Republicans are running GI Joe and Barbie for President and Vice-President.

Charles Hubbard
30 Aug 2008, 17:10

John has destroyed his chances to become President with the choice of a totally unqualified Vice Presidential Choice.
Why this choice? There are many wonderfully qualified women in the party who have the knowledge and experience necessary to be President and yet he chose a person who has no experience in national or foreign affairs.
In a word: Stupid