Posted on Monday, June 30th, 2008 by campaign2008
“When we pile up mountains of debt for the next generation to absorb, or put off chang
es to our energy policies, knowing full well the potential consequences of inaction, we are placing our short-term interests ahead of the nation’s long-term well-being. When we fail to educate effectively millions of our children so that they might compete in a global economy, or we fail to invest in the basic scientific research that has driven innovation in this country, we risk leaving behind an America that has fallen in the ranks of the world. Just as patriotism involves each of us making a commitment to this nation that extends beyond our own immediate self-interest, so must that commitment extends beyond our own time here on earth.”
–Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), in a speech Monday in Independence, Missouri.
Posted in General Election, Quote of the Day | 0 Comments »
Posted on Monday, June 30th, 2008 by campaign2008
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will travel to France, Germany, Israel, Jordan, and the United Kingdom in July, his campaign announced over the weekend. The trip will be “an important opportunity for me to assess the situation in countries that are critical to American national security, and to consult with some of our closest friends and allies about the common challenges we face,” Obama said.
Obama and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) both discussed their plans for comprehensive immigration reform (LAT) before the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials over the weekend. McCain promised to address the issue of illegal immigration “in a humane and compassionate fashion.” Both candidates called for tighter border security, but, Obama said, “If we think that a wall is the sole solution to the problem, then we’re not thinking it through.”
The Boston Globe looks at McCain’s reputation as both a strong critic of the military and a defense hawk.
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Posted on Friday, June 27th, 2008 by campaign2008
Both presidential candidates responded on Thursday to the news that North Korea disclosed details of its nuclear program. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) called the declaration “a step forward” (AFP), but said the United States should continue to maintain sanctions as “a critical part of our leverage to pressure North Korea to act.” Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) also called the declaration a “modest step forward” but said the United States must “keep diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea to meet all of its obligations under the Six Party agreement, including denuclearization.”
IRAQ: Obama spoke to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani Thursday. In a statement, Obama said he and Talabani discussed “the security situation in Iraq, and the political accommodation that is necessary for long-term stability.” They also discussed ongoing negotiations over a Status of Forces Agreement and the Strategic Framework Agreement, which, Obama said, “must be subject to congressional approval, and done in the context of planning for a responsible removal of American troops.”
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Posted on Thursday, June 26th, 2008 by campaign2008
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) on Wednesday detailed his comprehensive energy policy plan, which he is calling the “Lexington Project.” In a speech, McCain said the energy plan will allow the United States to “achieve strategic independence by 2025.”
Speaking to reporters in Chicago on Wednesday, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) called for a second economic stimulus rebate package to help Americans deal with high gas prices.
Obama’s relationship with domestic automakers has been strained due to his calls for more fuel efficient cars, but his meetings this week with CEOs of Ford and General Motors may indicate a “thaw” in that tension, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Posted in Energy Policy, General Election, Morning Update | 0 Comments »
Posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 by campaign2008
Responding to McCain campaign adviser Charlie Black’s recent statement that a terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be “a big advantage” (Fortune) to Sen. John McCain’s candidacy, reader Tom Cheung writes:
Is Charlie Black really sure that another terrorist attack on the United States before November would help John McCain’s chances in the general election? Would another terrorist attack on the United States not affirm Barack Obama’s position that the Iraq war has not made America safer and that the Iraq war has caused the United States to take its eye off the ball in Afghanistan? Would another terrorist attack on the United States not contradict John McCain’s rationale that keeping American troops in Iraq for many more years would keep America safer?
Tom Cheung
Toronto, Canada
Posted in General Election, Inbox, Terrorism | 0 Comments »
Posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 by Joanna Klonsky
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has kept energy policy in the headlines this week, giving several major speeches laying out his plans to help reduce high gas prices and begin to end U.S. dependence on foreign oil. He has proposed several controversial policy moves, including a $300 million “prize” to whomever can substantially improve car battery technology, a gas tax holiday, and a cap-and-trade system of carbon regulation. McCain has also called for the opening of domestic oil exploration, which he says will “prove to the world that we will no longer be subject to the whims of others than to expand our production capabilities.” But will such exploration significantly lower fuel prices? In a new CFR.org Online Debate, two energy policy experts discuss that question.
For more on the candidates’ energy policy plans, read this CFR.org Issue Tracker on the topic.
Posted in Energy Policy, General Election | 0 Comments »
Posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 by campaign2008
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) both gave speeches on energy policy on Tuesday. McCain promoted his plan to implement a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions, which he said will “give American businesses new incentives and rewards to seek, instead of just giving new taxes to pay and new orders to follow.” Obama again called for higher fuel standards and criticized proposals for domestic oil exploration and a gas tax holiday.
LATIN AMERICA: McCain will travel with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) to Mexico and Colombia (ChiTrib) during the July 4 congressional recess to meet with the presidents and other leaders of those countries.
ISRAEL: Both candidates signed letters (Politico) to President Bush in defense of Israel ’s right to defend itself on Tuesday.
ZIMBABWE: Obama on Tuesday released a statement condemning the recent actions of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and calling for “fresh elections” in that country.
Posted in Africa, Energy Policy, General Election, Latin America, Morning Update, Palestinian-Israeli | 0 Comments »
Posted on Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 by campaign2008
“[B]efore we hand over more of our land and our coastline to oil companies, I will charge those companies a fee for every acre that they currently lease but don’t drill on. If that compels them to drill, we’ll get more oil. If it doesn’t, the fees will go toward more investment in renewable sources of energy.”
–Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), in a speech Tuesday on energy policy.
Posted in Energy Policy, General Election, Quote of the Day | 0 Comments »
Posted on Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 by campaign2008
The Los Angeles Times reports that anti-illegal immigration activist groups have had to reshape their national strategy since neither of the remaining presidential candidates represents their position well.
The Washington Post looks at the evolution of Sen. Barack Obama’s position on ethanol.
The BBC interviews the Vietnamese man who was in charge of the Hoa Lo prison where Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was held captive for more than five years.
Posted in Energy Policy, General Election, Immigration, Morning Update | 0 Comments »
Posted on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 by campaign2008
“Some in Washington seem to think that we can still persuade OPEC to lower prices — as if reason or cajolery had never been tried before. Others have even suggested suing OPEC — as if we can litigate our way to energy security. But America is not going to meet this great challenge as a supplicant or a plaintiff. We are not going to meet it with words at all — we are going to meet it with action.”
–Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), in a speech Monday on energy security.
Posted in Energy Policy, General Election, Quote of the Day | 0 Comments »
