Mitt: McCain will help make us energy independent by drilling in ANWR
posted at 1:05 pm on July 16, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Marc Ambinder spotted it so I’m sending you over there to watch; pay attention starting at around 40 seconds in. He thinks it’s a deliberate hint that McCain might be finding ANWR less Grand-Canyon-like these days than before. I think it’s a case of Romney absentmindedly reciting the things he’d do to boost supply and simply assuming that McCain agrees — which, for the moment, isn’t so. Significant either way, though, as the VP buzz grows, raising the prospect of an intraticket disagreement on a hot button. A GOP consultant tells HuffPo he estimates Mitt’s chances at 20-25%, the possibly lingering acrimony between him and Team McCain notwithstanding. Exit quotation from Mary Katharine Ham: “Mitt Romney is, in some ways, the yin to McCain’s yang. He’s the embodiment of organization over excitement. He’s a picture of message control and microtargeting. But in a time when the Republican ticket can use all the passion it can get, both to compliment the candidate’s campaign style and to cure the dearth of conservative volunteers/donors, why put the embodiment of organization on the ticket when you’ve already got organization behind the scenes, where it belongs?” Click the image to watch.
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These are not the oil derricks you are looking for.
Weebork on July 16, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Key to changing McCain on ANWR???
Have the Alaska Gov point out McCain’s own words about Obama not waiting to find out the facts in Iraq, before making a position statement…
Then point out that he has NOT BEEN TO ANWR like he was invited to do…
McCain could actualy use this to his advantage if he spun it correctly, and showed pictures of the area, explaining WHY he would change his position, after a visit to that wasteland.
Romeo13 on July 16, 2008 at 1:08 PM
…move along.
juanito on July 16, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Brilliant strategy, by the way, on Romney’s part. Now McCain either has to change his mind and be for ANWR drilling, or he needs to go out and defend his position not to –all while attempting not to alienate Romney and his former supporters in doing so. Mwa ha ha
Weebork on July 16, 2008 at 1:09 PM
Well, here’s a three-day story for the big media to obsess about, though I don’t think the “McCain’s going to drill in ANWR” effort is going to produce the results they think it will with gas at $4-plus a gallon. Still, it probably knocks Mitt down a notch or two on the McCain VP list, since the main thing a vice-presidential candidate is supposed to do is not make any negative waves for the nominee.
jon1979 on July 16, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Yup, Mitt’s been for drilling ANWR since, well let’s see, how long has it been? Oh yes, I remember now: ever since it’s been freaking OBVIOUS we need to do so.
Mitt was the ONLY candidate with ANWR as a plank on his platform.
Mitt makes sense. He’s right for America, and if we can’t have him for POTUS, we’ll TAKE him for VP.
HUA!
JustTruth101 on July 16, 2008 at 1:11 PM
D’oh! I’d love to see drilling in ANWR, but Mitt needs to help McCain focus on offshore drilling first. That’s much more popular and a sure-win at this point. Bringing ANWR into the mix right now just muddies the argument and turns the fence-sitters off. Let’s focus on OCS drilling first and win that. Don’t want to let reluctance to “spoil” ANWR defeat the whole effort, Mitt.
aero on July 16, 2008 at 1:17 PM
This is not the first time Romney has floated the whole “McCain might be, could be, possibly be changing his position on ANWR” bit. Was it Fox & Friends a few weeks ago, maybe, I saw him float that same trial balloon?
MNHawk on July 16, 2008 at 1:18 PM
That quote from MKH seems to be missing something. It implies that Romney was basically a robot with no passion about anything. Everything was fully calculated, etc etc. In other words, she’s charging that Romney is the same as Obama–a blank slate, running a message machine.
But Romney gave some of the most conservative, passionate speeches around. His CPAC speech getting out of the race was widely hailed as a impressive speech. He was usually the best debator. He may have the organizational talent, but underestimating his rhetorical skills and abilities and dismissing him as a pure “organizer” is silly.
Besides, isn’t that exactly what McCain needs? Someone who can run the big campaign? From all accounts, McCain is just winging it pretty much. Romney would provide a much better organization, message, and at least Romney won’t put voters to sleep.
Vanceone on July 16, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Drill everything and concrete the entire planet. You want green? Try astroturf.
Hippies.
LimeyGeek on July 16, 2008 at 1:20 PM
“Drill everything’
Including the skulls of Congressional Democrats.
Probably won’t find sweet Texas crude there, but who knows until we try?
NoDonkey on July 16, 2008 at 1:23 PM
After deeply analyzing McCain’s positions on a number of issues, I find him to be a Commie dolt.
Valiant on July 16, 2008 at 1:24 PM
McCain should take all the gossiped VP candidates + Lieberman to Alaska while Obama is on his “tour” and appear with Gov.Palin to call for drilling in ANWR. Don’t leave the subject until it is done like he did for CFR.
Anita on July 16, 2008 at 1:25 PM
That’s the last thing we need. That much hot air would definitely increase global temperatures and prove the “global warming” theory is true.
Troy Rasmussen on July 16, 2008 at 1:27 PM
SECOND LOOK AT NITPICKING!!
Mcguyver on July 16, 2008 at 1:28 PM
I agree. Because why would anybody in their right mind not be for drilling in ANWAR? Of course he would be inclined to assume that McCain is not dumb enough to oppose that.
Zetterson on July 16, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Romey is going to be on FNC in a few mins. Lets see what he has to say. Will he get asked about drilling ANWR? Stay tuned.
HawaiiLwyr on July 16, 2008 at 1:29 PM
McCain maybe warming to ANWR. We do need to drill wherever there is oil and I think McCain can get a big boost by endorsing Newt’s drill here, drill now platform. View the petition here.
On the VP stakes…McCain obviously does not like Romney, but several Presidential nominees have picked people they didn’t like. Clinton with Gore, Reagan with GHW Bush to name a few.
nazo311 on July 16, 2008 at 1:29 PM
“That much hot air would definitely increase global temperatures and prove the “global warming” theory is true.”
It’s a chance I’m willing to take.
NoDonkey on July 16, 2008 at 1:30 PM
I WANT to believe…
RushBaby on July 16, 2008 at 1:30 PM
How Wierd is this? Brian Williams, Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric will be traveling with Obama overseas next week.
Anita on July 16, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Palin to send Maverick an invite to observe ANWR in 3….2….1….
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 16, 2008 at 1:35 PM
What is this “liberal media bias” that you speak of?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 16, 2008 at 1:37 PM
What passion does MKH expect to find in a VP choice? Limbaugh might be the only one who could fit that bill and thats not happening. Appearing organized in public is what I think McCain needs because it does look like he’s just winging it. It shows a high level of seriousness that Obama and anyone he picks won’t be able to match. Romney will win people over just like he did in the primaries only this time he won’t be starting out with single digit poll numbers.
Greenhorn on July 16, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Romney just said (I paraphrase) “Drill everywhere” “Work with the States” and “Use all types of energy production, wind, nuclear, ethanol – whatever it takes in the near term and the long term to make ourselves energy independent.”
HawaiiLwyr on July 16, 2008 at 1:40 PM
AP sez: “why put the embodiment of organization on the ticket when you’ve already got organization behind the scenes, where it belongs?” What organization? Perhaps you’re talking about the organized effort to sell out the country to people like La Raza. Yes, my friend, Juan is very organized in that respect.
(Respect being an ironic choice of words.)
Christine on July 16, 2008 at 1:43 PM
I hope McCain changes his mind on ANWR, however i think this is an unforced error by Romney unfortunately.
“he said offshore, ANWR.. nuclear ”
going through a list quickly.. possibly speaking before remembering McCain’s position on it.. like i said hopefully McCain will change his mind on the issue, the People of Alaska want to use the area, and also the tribes in the area also want to use it.
Chakra Hammer on July 16, 2008 at 1:44 PM
I’ve said it before – IF McCain were to give a Kennedy-esque speech, challenging America to become a Net Energy Exporter rendering OPEC irrelevant by the end of his second term, I’d work for his damn campaign! Mere “Energy Independence” is far too small a goal. Imagine the American prosperity that would ensue…..
/Mcdreamyfairytaleland
Fishoutofwater on July 16, 2008 at 1:45 PM
“Yes, my friend, Juan is very organized in that respect.’
Ah yes, the Paulnut brigade of the “Obama or Die” serial posters has checked in, right on schedule.
NoDonkey on July 16, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Yes! What a wonderful world it would be.
Weight of Glory on July 16, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Those pipelines make for some great hunting too
LimeyGeek on July 16, 2008 at 1:46 PM
SECOND LOOK AT AMATEUR PONTIFICATORS POSING AS PROFESSIONALS!!
Mcguyver on July 16, 2008 at 1:46 PM
SECOND LOOK AT BECOMING A WORK-AT-HOME PONTIFICATOR!!
Mcguyver on July 16, 2008 at 1:50 PM
I think people are reading way too much into this. Last I heard, McCain was saying that he had not changed his mind on ANWR at this point, but he has changed on O/S drilling, so it sounds to me like Romney is pointing out potentialities, and that perhaps ANWR will be on the table if the situation warrants.
Think_b4_speaking on July 16, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Romney was on Laura Ingraham’s show this morning, talking about ANWR and the differences between him and McCain. Laura begged him to talk to McCain about changing his position on drilling. I guess this might be one way to do it :)
Clark1 on July 16, 2008 at 2:01 PM
A good candidate never leaves home without his closest advisors.
BacaDog on July 16, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Surely I hope you’re serious.
steveegg on July 16, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Nominate Palin as VP, claim she presented a strong case for ANWR and Energy Indpendence and flip flop…that simple.
jp on July 16, 2008 at 2:04 PM
I’d do whatever Palin told me to do…..unless I was bad, and needed spanking.
LimeyGeek on July 16, 2008 at 2:05 PM
How do you F this up? Don’t you think he’d be better prepared than that? Jeez.
marklmail on July 16, 2008 at 2:09 PM
It is very possible Team McCain asked Romney do make this “mistake” as step one to McCain seeing his error on this issue.
EJDolbow on July 16, 2008 at 2:13 PM
According to some IBD polls that Ed posted yesterday, there is more support for offshore drilling than drilling in ANWR for now. Romney might have overstepped his bounds in attributing his own desire to drill in ANWR to McCain. Then again, he is certainly on McCain’s “short list” for VP (although maybe not the favorite), and has been talking to McCain. Maybe he knows that McCain will change his position on ANWR, or is thinking about it, and is floating this as a trial balloon. If McCain is going to (thankfully) change his mind on drilling in response to rising prices, he might as well go all the way. While he’s at it, he should quietly drop the subject of cap-and-trade–it’s a loser now!
Now when will the old Senator from Arizona meet the beauty queen from Alaska? She might be able to educate him about pristine wilderness areas…
Steve Z on July 16, 2008 at 2:14 PM
I’ll coin it again: ANWR, A ‘Nother Worthless Refuge.
kirkill on July 16, 2008 at 2:16 PM
Wait. Isn’t that where the Fortress of Solitude is?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 16, 2008 at 2:23 PM
ROFLMAO! PT Barnum was right.
TheBigOldDog on July 16, 2008 at 2:24 PM
OK, you have got to see this.
Drill now in ANBR (Algore Numbskull Baldspot Refuge)!
NTWR on July 16, 2008 at 2:28 PM
that is true… then McCain could be asked about it.. then leave the door open.
Chakra Hammer on July 16, 2008 at 2:28 PM
I voted for Mitt and would do so again. I would personally recommend that Mitt stay away from McCain and learn, watch, and wait as Reagan and in fours years he would win the nomination and on his way to the White House. I’m sure Mitt now understands where he went wrong in Florida and his next campaign will be very different.
luckybogey on July 16, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Romney cracks me up. But just on this. Romney, us Alaskans know and we are trying on ANWR, have been for years.
What I want is McCain to come up here. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to go to a meeting with him there! Hmmm would I be able to liveblog it for Ed and Allah on HA?
I know Gov Palin would be all over giving an interview for ANWR.
Smiles
upinak on July 16, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Why is there more support (with the greenies) for offshore then ANWR. ANWR wouldn’t take much time to set up, 2 yrs even with the environmental, 3 yrs max depending on the arctic freeze.
Rigs, drilling and so on offshore takes MUCH longer unless a rig is near a area that is now up for lease. Then directional drilling is used. But lets say a Rig is needed in a leased area… 2 yrs to build, and that is fast paced building. 6 months to move the rig to areas via barges. 3-9 months more construction on rig to set up for drilling, a camp for the people working, and other “items”. Drilling is the easy part.. it is the permits, paperwork, building and setting up that takes the longest times.
upinak on July 16, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Angry Dumbo on July 16, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Let me say, I don’t know. BUT there seems to be hinting and wordplay going on. I know I didn’t answer that, but you know how people are… can’t make them do things!
upinak on July 16, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Well, fellas, all I can say is that if Mary Katherine finds McCain more exciting that Mitt then she has lousy taste in men.
She’s pretty, but you never can tell.
Another Ham quote: “But in a time when the Republican ticket can use all the passion it can get, both to compliment the candidate’s campaign style…”
I’m pretty sure she meant “complement” instead of “compliment” but really, what does she mean here? How about “passion” to compensate for the candidates campaign style?
Jeez. I think MKH’s so young she hasn’t even stopped drinking Kool Aid yet.
BigD on July 16, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Word from the McCain camp via Jazz Shaw is they’re still working McCain over on ANWR.
steveegg on July 16, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Say, things are shaping up. I’ll be voting for Mitt as the vp or I’m writing him in for POTUS.
COB better figure this out real soon.
cjs1943 on July 16, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Hmmmm.
“Vote for McCain/Romney and wait for a stroke” sounds uncomfortably like the Democrats’ “Drive small cars and wait for the wind“!
Just sayin’…
landlines on July 16, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Romney is about as interesting as a dead fish.
Bernie from Weekend at Bernies is more passionate than that guy.
Squid Shark on July 16, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Mitt is a good talker, but she’s right- he’s not one to generate all that much excitement; most of the primary season his national support hovered in the 10%-17% range. Exactly what demographic is he going to excite? Mormons? Hedge fund investors?
Now put that against those who he’d be more likely to alienate- social cons, evangelicals (some of whom have an unfortunate bias against Mormons), and possibly working class and/or Southern voters who may find him a bit too East Coast for their liking.
Hollowpoint on July 16, 2008 at 3:34 PM
I don’t know how Juan could ever agree to drilling in ANWAR. I mean with it being so pristine and all like the Grand Canyon, that would be just a crime against the Earth.
MB4 on July 16, 2008 at 3:36 PM
He shore talks awful purty, he must be up to sumtin’
I dont trust noone who wears no majic undeewear.
Squid Shark on July 16, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Mitt comes across as the normal guy which may count for alot this year.
He excites a traditional conservative like myself because he will be heads and shoulders above the other 3 people (McCain, BO and God know what his Veep will be).If evangelicals distrust his religion, enjoy the coming secular assault from BO.
Perfect- no, but Zombie Reagan ain’t walking thru that door.
jjshaka on July 16, 2008 at 3:43 PM
That was a joke, right? Since when does a silver spoon multi-millionare son of a governor who gives the impression that he was born wearing a three-piece suit come across as a “normal guy”?
Hollowpoint on July 16, 2008 at 3:52 PM
There are many phrases to describe Gov Romney, “Normal Guy” is not one which rushes to the forefront:
“Nice Hair”
“Sam the Eagle from the Muppets”
“Soul Crushingly Boring”
“Really Really Smart”
“Trekkie (Remember his debate reference to 3 Dimensional Chess?)”
“Symetrically Perfect”
“Better Than His Dad”
“A Caricature of What a Handsome Person Should Look Like”
Squid Shark on July 16, 2008 at 3:55 PM
“Better Hair Than His Dad”
Squid Shark on July 16, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Okay, well, I personally liked Mitt.
But folks, Mary Katherine said that McCain was exciting compared to Mitt. And I haven’t heard anybody comment on the McCain part of it yet.
One added point: I don’t like seeing people who are only 28 being that Beltway brainwashed. MKH needs to get out more.
BigD on July 16, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Okay, well, I personally liked Mitt.
Uh… it’s her job to be in tune with what goes on in the beltway, duder.
As far as the McCain part- like him or not he was very well known both as politician and former POW before the election cycle began. How many people ever even knew the name Mitt Romney before he was being discussed as a potential presidential candidate? As a one-term governor, he wasn’t exactly a household name.
Hollowpoint on July 16, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Hollowpoint is right.
BigD: UGA women usually to like their men dumber, meaner and older.
luckybogey on July 16, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Well, I can see why you call yourself Hollowpoint. Or rather, Evadethepoint.
Mary Katherine said McCain was exciting compared to Mitt Romney. Not better known, more exciting.
Also, what I suggested was that 28 was too young to confine one’s viewpoint to the Beltway. As I understand, MKH went from North Carolina to Washington. At least one more stop along the way would have been helpful. As an example, Tony Snow wrote successfully for the Detroit Free Press and USA Today before hitting the D.C. circuit. The issue is depth.
Mary Katherine, I think is obviously intelligent and has an attractive personality. But at 28, to be locked in D.C.? She’s never going to want to leave for visibility reasons. But if all she’s covered is Washington, what else does she bring?
BigD on July 16, 2008 at 4:21 PM
I vote for trial balloon. Mac’s already said he’s open to revisiting his position on ANWR.
“Mitt Romney is, in some ways, the yin to McCain’s yang. He’s the embodiment of organization over excitement.
WHAT??
Someone yesterday made a spot on comment that Mac’s campaign is so boring it’s like watching paint dry, but maybe MKH finds that an exciting pastime?
Buy Danish on July 16, 2008 at 4:46 PM
And McCain’s the embodiment of neither.
spmat on July 16, 2008 at 4:56 PM
BS we don’t want push overs. I can’t stand little men who have issues with themselves. I sure as heck don’t want to be the dominate one, but in my generation all youhave left are the “rejects” of the aftermarket sperm banks it seems.
/S
upinak on July 16, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Being well known contributes to being more exciting. Also, Mitt just isn’t a terribly exciting figure. That’s a nice way of saying “boring”.
And that we’re talking about her opinion suggests MKH is doing something right; is her opinion somehow less valid because she’s under 30?
Hollowpoint on July 16, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Hollow, not sure how old you are. But maybe you can relate.
I am around the same age as MKH… with that said I have the same problems with the older generation(s) say the same things to me and a few of my friends. I even catch myself doing something like that to others occationally.
I do not think BigD is doing it on purpose… I honestly think most of us have done something like it at one time or another. Call it Wisdom or Age Discrimination…. been around a long time and happening since the birth of dirt.
upinak on July 16, 2008 at 5:32 PM
She invited him a few days ago.
As to other comments about off shore drilling, unless I missed the memo, it will never happen unless gas goes up another few dollars. Every state, except perhaps Florida, is against it. Despite no leaks there bogus excuse is it would threaten tourism.
ANWR is doable right now. The very few residents and the state are for it. Besides which there’s a pipeline 35 miles away.
upinak,
How does Palin do while debating?
patrick neid on July 16, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Not her opinion, but maybe her perspective. I have nothing against MKH. But Jeez, W’s election was the first she was old enough to participate in. I’m not saying she’s not smart; I’m saying she doesn’t have enough perspective to cover national politics.
That is my opinion.
BigD on July 16, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Check out this website. I think I have it linked for Videos. Look at the bottom, since this was what we called the duke out between.. Former Gov Murkowski (sr), Former Gov Knowles and Sarah…. and you judge it. There are 4 videos for that Guber Debate!
http://palintology.com/category/video/
upinak on July 16, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Okay, well let’s just say there is a reason you have to be at least 35 before you can be elected president. And there is a reason that people are concerned about Obama’s youth and inexperience (and he’s older than I am). Not that MKH is running for president, but what experience of presidential elections does she have to draw from in covering them?
BigD on July 16, 2008 at 5:45 PM
BigD, you have to be a certain “age” in most of the country to be part of any political affiliation… as you well know. I also can not run for Gov here in my State nor would I run for President (I like my unstressful life). But MKH may irritate you, annoy you to the core, you may want to call her a ankle biter… but she does bring up some items that not everyone thinks about. And sometimes she doesn’t.
But being “American” she has the right to do that, and voice that great thing we call an opinion no matter what age even if we freaking hate it, but understand that is her right.
And think about it… I am sure you have been around some people whom are “older” who are the consistency of a rock. MKH needs some more life lessons in some areas… but everyone starts somewhere. Right?!
upinak on July 16, 2008 at 5:57 PM
That is certain.
McCain NEVER changes his mind once he has decided something. He only hides his true opinion occasionally, for political expediency. And is very rarely successful at that for more than a couple of days at a time.
LegendHasIt on July 16, 2008 at 6:21 PM
- ANWR: 19.6 million acres. Size of oil production area: 2,000 acres (about the size of an Airport)
- 10.4 Billion barrels of oil are estimated in ANWR (USGS)
- Original Prudhoe Bay estimate: 8 Billion barrels, Actual: 14 Billion barrels (to date)
- 75% of Alaskans support responsible energy exploration in ANWR
- The Central Arctic Caribou Herd has grown from 3,000 to 32,000 since Prudhoe Bay production began
Poptech on July 16, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Please remember to put down for ANWR.. original estimate founded in 1959 and revised in 2004.
upinak on July 16, 2008 at 7:51 PM
ANWR wasn’t established until 1960 and then expanded in 1980.
Poptech on July 16, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Put ‘McCain’ in the first part of your quote and it’s a lot more accurate. I have to laugh when McCain supporters start calling other candidates boring and uninspiring. Project much?
I don’t even like Romney. ‘Oily bohunk’ is my favorite term I borrowed months back to describe him. But I’ll give him one thing over McCain: Romney wanted to win. None of the other candidates during the primaries wanted to. McCain doesn’t seem to want to now. I think if Obama signed a pledge to McCain that he would shove an amnesty down the throats of the American people in his first 100 days, McCAin would drop out of the race. The only thing I’ve heard McCain get passionate about is immigration. Everything else is boilerplate phoned in malarky. Give Romney a defibrillator and put him on the ‘Bullsh*t Express’ and maybe he can put some life into McCain’s campaign. I hope he doesn’t though. I don’t dislike Romney enough to want him to be McCain’s second. No, McCain deserves a VP that is even more feckless and annoying than he is : Huckabee or Bunny Wigglesworth (crist).
austinnelly on July 16, 2008 at 10:51 PM
FTFY.
WDE.
misterpeasea on July 17, 2008 at 3:35 AM
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