McCain or Obama more sympathetic to big oil?
(PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Barack Obama has a new ad out that tries to tap into Americans' anger over rising gasoline prices. Obama's target is John McCain.
The ad says:
“Every time you fill your tank, the oil companies fill their pockets. Now big oil's filling John McCain's campaign with $2 million in contributions because instead of taxing their windfall profits to help drivers, McCain wants to give them another $4 billion in tax breaks. After one president in the pocket of big oil, we can't afford another.”
Factcheck.org says the actual number is $1.3 million, not $2 million, and the claims about tax breaks for big oil are a little fuzzy.
The fact is both Obama and McCain have flip-flopped on the issue of offshore drilling. And both men have been quarreling rather childishly about which one wants to solve America's energy problems more. Obama points out that for 26 of the 30 years it took for America to develop its addiction to foreign oil, John McCain was a part of the Washington establishment that looked the other way and allowed it to happen.
McCain's camp says Obama's ad is misleading, that it doesn't mention the $400,000 Obama got from employees of oil companies. And they say McCain voted against a 2005 bill that provided billions in tax breaks for energy producers. Obama voted for it.
Voters have to remember that politicians will say anything in order to be elected. Whether this latest blustering amounts to any more than a big political wind remains to be seen.
Here’s my question to you: As president, which candidate would be more sympathetic
to the big oil companies: John McCain or Barack Obama?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
David writes:
Even if McCain did want to distance himself from the present administration, they are handcuffed to the oil and gas industry. I live in Houston, have worked with "big oil" and will tell you that they have celebrated every single day of the present Republican administration. There is no way McCain will escape that political gridlock.
Rhonda from Detroit writes:
Both McCain and Obama will take as many contributions as they can get from big oil. It is becoming funny to watch which one of them can out-centrist the other. McCain opposed offshore drilling before he supported it, and now Obama has assumed the same position. Yesterday Obama talking in Michigan about energy, and today McCain came to Michigan to talk about energy. I don't think either of them has a plan that goes any further than the November election.
Mike from New Prague, Minnesota writes:
Obviously Obama. God made oil and Barack is Moses. Or the messiah. Or the anti-Christ, I forget which one.
John writes:
I declare a tie! Big oil and big coal have both ruled over the podium in this election. In the end, offshore oil and "clean coal" will win the election, thanks to equal lobbying by both candidates. Thanks for the change, guys!
Gary writes:
It's absolutely John "drill here, drill now" McCain! I can't believe that the GOP is getting mileage out of the August Congressional recess. It's been 30 years of inaction and now we are led to believe that we'll have an answer in 5 weeks. How stupid do they think we are?
John writes:
Which candidate will be beholden to the oil companies? Why, the one who gets elected.
Karl from California writes:
Jack, This question is right up there with: Who is more likely to be Catholic? The Pope or Osama bin Laden?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Jack,
Everyone know that it is McCain!!
McOil...by far
Bush once said, "Follow the money". Oil companies can afford this election to hedge their bets, they will buy into both sides.
Jack, what planet have you been on for the last 100 years. Since you've been out of the world, I'll let you know what's been going on here on the third rock from the sun. John McCain wants to give bigger tax breaks and also accepts a lot of money from big oil. They line his pockets and those of many others, mainly Republicans but also some of those Dems. Hope this helps you out now that your back on earth.
Since McCain's campaign is the benafactor of donatiions from big oil the surge protector has to be more sympathetic but you already knew that Jack, as McCain has also promised to cut taxes for big oil corporations as well as selling out competely to off shore drilling.
Having a platform of raising taxes on large wealthy corporations isn't going to win Obama any friends in this segment of society but you have to give Bush & his oil magnates credit they knew they could stampede the public into wanting to open up the off shore drilling and will soon move on to anwr.
Jack, the Republican Party is fueled by the oil companies while the Democratic Party seems to be fueled by a lot of hot air and methane…I guess the oil companies would go for McCain.
Big oil is praying that McCain will be elected, Jack. With his election they can not only be assured of years of more drilling but they can be granted monopolies on other energy sources as well. Just as it used to be with GM, "what's good for Exxon is good for America."
Jack:
Is this a trick question? It's McCain of course, big oil is not contributing millions to his campaign because they like his hair.
tampa, fl this coin has obama and mcamnesty minted on both sides of it. there is no difference when it comes to these two and their beholding to big oil and it's lobbyists. this election is so bad that no one will be able to even hold their nose while voting this time as the stink is so bad coming from both candidates. i doubt you'll air this one due to the negative i am placing on obama, who seems to the focus of almost all your air time. i'm actually starting to miss anna nicole smith comverage.
Jack
Is the Pope Catholic? Heck YES McCain is in the pocket of Big Oil. You only have to listen to his set speech on energy policy. The Slick Talk Express ought to be plastered with sponsorship stickers from BP Exxon Shell Halliburton and every other oil company out there.
Pablo In Arlington
Easy one Jack.... McCain would certainly be more sympathetic to big oil than Obama. McCain, like all republicans, is for anything that might generate a buck irregardless of the costs to community at large, as well as the environment. It is all about greed.
Jack, Is this a trick question? McCain loves big oil and wants them to be enriched to the furthest extent possible. The other day it was reported that one oil company was making $1,500 a minute, apparently that will not be enough.
Who do you think is in his social circle?
Mike CA
Definitely McCain!!!!!! He is the one who's campaign funds were boosted from "texas oil" when he started campaigning for off shore oil drilling. McCain is looking way to short term and is going to help create a world that is uninhabitable!!! WE NEED CHANGE!!!!!!!
Mccain is definately more sympathetic to Big oil. The Republicans constantly defend big oil companies. If Mccain would support the 10 gang's compromise Americans will have the $1,000. dollars Obama is offering to help with the high cost of gas at the pump and home heating bills. Mccain is against the $1,000. to American families because Mccain doesn't want the oil companies to be taxed. The last time I checked the all companies were doing just fine with record breaking profits. The oil companies have attorney and lobbyist that represents them and even our own elected officials. Its time for Mccain to decide who's side he's on. The struggling families of America or big oil. We can't afford another president champion big oil.
I haven't yet seen your pre-question information, but I'd think McCain would be the most sympathetic to big oil. I think Bush and his daddy, and Cheney, and all their cronies have personal deals wrapped up with the Saudis. John McCain probably does, too.
Jack, I think a good way of answering that question is to see whom the oil companies have chosen to most reward with their contributions. To date I believe that to be McCain.
Lets be honest, the Republican party has always been the most blindly supportive of big business.
Follow the BIG OIL money, Jack. Follow the money.
If this is even a real question then I am starting to question the best political team on television! Obama is not going to be sympathetic to big oil because big oil has not done anything for him. McCain on the other hand is sleeping on Exxon sheets and Opec mattresses stuffed with big oils money. Oh no, Obama is what they are afraid of.
I think it would be a good idea to have Obama help McCain with his computer skiles, after all he was nice enough to offer to show Iraq to Obama. joe
Clearwater, FL
Come on, Jack. You know the answer to that question. First McCain was against off shore drilling then he was for it. The next day he received a campaign donation from big oil that brought the total to $2,000,000. Is there any doubt who would be more sympathetic to big oil? Don't tell me that money won't buy favors. We know better.
Well let's see Jack, if I was one of the big oil companies I'd lean towards the candidate who wanted to invest in more offshore drilling for one thing..After all, only people who really understand that drilling offshore would give the oil companies more profits and people invested in the oil industry like say, the Bush's and Cheney's would make a killing...and let's not forget the campaign donations already made to 1 candidates campaign..
Oh, by the way, the American people wouldn't see any profits or lower gas...
I'd say McCain!
Jack, You ask such silly questions. George Bush and John McCain are one and the same. Both have the oil companies up their ying yangs. After all it is big oil that has ran this country for 8 years. Why should Johnny boy be any different. America doesn't have a lot to choose from this election year but Obama has got to better than McCain.
Patsy in Atkinson, NE
Do we really need to even ask this question? John "Maverick" McCain, of course.
Of Course McCain is in bed with the oil companies. He flip-flopped on his off-shore drilling stance and immediately received $1.4 million dollars in donations from the oil big-wigs. McCain is just going to follow bush's lead and completely sell us out to the oil companies and leave the rest of us holding the bag.
Jack; no doubt in my mind, McCain. I was once a McCain supporter, and if it were not for the war issue and his admission to not being competent on the Economy or Environment, I would still support him.
Lets see, oil was $25 a barrel when Bush took office and gas was in under $1.75. Today oil is over $120 and gas is over $4 in many parts of the country.
Maybe they should rename the GOP to Grand Oil Party.
come on ,jack,it is fair to play both sides! My answer: It would depend on whether or not Obama had enough votes yet or not! Truthfully! He flip flops in a heart beat if he needs the vote.
That's an easy question Jack. John McCain is big oil's best friend. The big old boys club in full action.
Gee, Jack. This is a really tough one. Could you give me a hint, like who receives more campaign contributions from oil company executives? Or which one belongs to the same politcal party as former oil-men President Bush and Vice President Cheney?
Confused in Texas
Ed Reed
McCain, Because I haven't heard really any real plans to find alternative energy apart from more drilling and we won't get barely any oil from it plus it would take ten years to even process it. Let's face it Jack, John McCain and the Republicans are in Big Oils pocket and are able to be brought off at their leisure.
No one is sympathetic to big oil. They just like their money. Big money means big friends in high places. Just look at their contribution records. The sympathy is directly proportional to the amount of money being contributed.
Let's see: John McCain, beer heiress wife, private plane, $500 shoes
or Barack Obama, just paid off student loans, wife shops at Target, 10 year old belt and worn shoes...
Who do you think would be more sympathetic to big oil? The one who LIVES like big oil executives it would seem to me.
I am concerned about the poll numbers--if the Republicans can fix two elections, why can't they fix the polls? How could Obama rally so many more people on the trail and be trailing by 4 points? Just who is being polled? I have not received one phone call and used to have my phone ring off the hook.
Neither. Wasn't one of GWB's campain issues to drill off shore and Alaska? Even with a Republican Congress he did not get it done. Why ? would you think either candidate would get it done.
If we don't start now we will never have independance from foriegn oil.
But don't expect it, until big oil wants it, and they like it as is.
John McCain will continue the way of the dinosaur when it comes to energy. He would rather satisfy his big oil lobbyists than make Americans independent of fossil fuels. He’ll pander to the public and say what they want to hear to get elected but he has plenty of big oil lobbyists advising him. Do people really think these oil lobbyists are working with McCain now so they can then work against their own self interests? Oh, of course McCain just recently received over $1 million from big oil because they don’t expect anything from him in return!
If John McCain is elected, we’ll lose another 4 to 8 years having nothing to show towards cleaner energy and less dependence on foreign oil.
Jack,
Perhaps we should let the donantion disparity between the candidates speak for itself.
Well let's see, Obama wants to tax oil revenues, McCain wants to give them a subsidy. McCain isn't just more sympathetic, he's in their back pocket.
Let's see.... I was against drilling off the coast of California and Florida. Now I'm for it and I get $1.2 million for my "new position." Think McCain wins the big money, Jack.
Yesterday, Senator Obama quoted Senator McCain, who previously said something on the lines of the problem going back 30 years in Washington, with Senator McCain conveniently leaving out the fact that he (McCain) has been in Washington for 26 years. Do the math..
Jack,
If Obama is President the oil companies will be paying more taxes, he will be on their list of no goods. McCain on the other hand will not raise their taxes so he will be on their "A" list. It is easy to see where the sympathy for the oil companies is. We also know where to find sympathy in the dictionary don't we......................................
Judie
St. Augustine, Fl
The American addiction to Oil makes it necessary for any president to be freindly with big oil companies. The question should be who do you think the oil companies can out right control light a puppet? That is without question Mr. McCain.
McCains presidency would continue the policies of Bush/Cheney.
"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran....heh heh heh..."
It's about the OIL, stupid.
As for who will be more with the oil companies if elected the answer is McCain. He talked today about us needing alternative fuel, but he has voted against tax subsidies for all types of alternative energy companies. He wants the oil companies to get even fatter with this off shore drilling proposal. I hope the American people see thru this guy!
Jack, you know what they say, you can't have something for nothing. Republican's have a vested interest in oil. Republicans are also investing in the McCain campaign so sooner or later, if McCain was to be elected, he would owe the oil companies a favor, or shall I say he would owe the republican party a favor.
Any show of sympathy to Big Oil from either of them would have to be private and covered up, because showing it publicly would be politically lethal. Since McCain has about twenty years more experience in public life, he would have more exposure to the companies and their manipulations, but that does not necessarily mean that he would be more sympathetic now.
I understand that the expected (correct) answer here is that McCain would be more sympathetic, but in reality we simply can't say that. We just do not know.
This is an obvious one, McCain. Who is already the biggest cheerleader for offshore drilling. All he needs are some red and white pom poms and a shirt with Exxon written across the chest. I can't wait for him to do a back hand spring while shooting "Drill Drill Drill!"
McCain is locked in with the big oil companies, and Obama owes no favors... this is a rhetorical question at best.
Since McCain still thinks that trickle down economics works even though it clearly doesn't and he has said he would subsidize them further, he would be the one who is more likely enable big oil to continue to run amuck.
Mccain is more sympathetic to big oil jack. Obama with the gang 10 are offering a compromise where Obama wants to give American families a $1,000. to help with high gas prices and Mccain is concerned with the oil companies being taxed. Seems like Mccain is in the tank with the oil companies to me.
Doesn't matter what two candidates you mention, it will always be the Republican. And by the way, Jack, thanks for using the word "flip-flopped". You aren't fueling the flames of bad political rhetoric at all.
Jack,
We all know the the oil campaines have McCain in their back pockets. McCain is the one talking about drill now drill now. It's a shame that the big oil companies are making such huge profits off the American People.
Ike
Obama ,if he was behind in votes!
McCain. His miidle name should not be Sidney but should be John (Oil) McCain!
Which ever candidate wants to keep troops in the Middle East the longest will definitely get the most support from big oil especially those who got the no bid contracts in Iraq. But don't worry the draft will take care of any additional military requirements to keep the corporations well greased.
Who is going to give the oil companies more and bigger tax breaks?
Who just got 2 million from them?
That's who!
McCain, of course, but don't count Obama out running a close second. After all, why should either break from their former cronies? Now we tend to blame the GOP, but haven't oil companies benefited from the Democrats as well?
As long as people want their powerful cars, and as long as we will give up our sensibility in order to preserve our "ways of life" big oil will always be worshipped in this country, and in particular by our political leaders who want to hold on to their jobs.
We are going on the 3rd Republican campaign in a row paid for by oil, so yes, McCain loves them and will do anything for their money!
Also, I wonder about the oil company's employees and their work environment. I imagine there is a work culture of immense pressure to vote Republican and to contribute to the GOP. Someone should look into this!
John McCain would, IF he were elected president. Could the American electorate be so stupid as to elect him? Hmmm... We did reelect Bush for a second term. Hopefully we've learned our lesson.
John Mccain would be more sypathetic to big oil. Why is anyone sympathetic to big oil and there demand to drill offshore? America isn't going to get any of this oil. The big oil companys are going to get it. What makes anyone think the oil companys are going to lower there prices? There concern is more profit for the oil guys. You know who they are, Bush, and Chaney. It isnt good enough that the major oil companys have just recently gained control and power of the oil in iraq, there going after all of the oil here in the u.s. The mission is completed and the prize is oil, always has been and always will be. Wake up America.
McCain. Was that a trick question?
John McCain has been in Washington for 26 years, voting with the GOP network in favor of tax breaks, subsidies, and deregulation for oil companies, while voting against favorable treatment for alternative energy such as wind and solar. If McCain were going to stand up to Big Oil, don't you think he would have done it by now Jack?
Of course it's McCain. That's why he's so "slimy"
thousand oaks Ca
Jack,
By far it has to be the senator from Arizona. He knows there's money in them thar hills, plains, and oceans.
Who really knows. Barack is the one that wants to depleate the reserves so we are even more dependent on foreign oil, does not want to expand drilling and wants to go after the profits (his cut and payoff) and offers no solution to getting us off oil.
I would say both have been equally bought out or in Baracks case up for sale.
Jack,if we just hooked a really big generator to Obama's mouth all that hot air would fuel the planet for years,so I guess he really doesn't need the oil companies!
Even though everyone has always complained about "Big Oil," I think we can all agree that every politician, regardless of political affiliation has been in bed with them since the beginning of time. In this case, I don't beleive either is really favored by the oil companies, as both of them only switched to positions favored by the oil companies until the absurd gas prices necessitated a change in policy.
Obama's tax plan: Everyone maing more than a quarter million a year isn't getting a tax break.
McCain's tax plan: Everyone making over a million a year gets extended tax breaks.
Logically, the only way for oil to be "big oil" is if the people running it are making more than a quarter million a year. It wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who big oil would support.
Not to mention the billions invested in the Republican party over the last few decades. Even T Boone Pickens says immediately he would vote for McCain but knows he doesn't have a workable energy plan. Oilmen + Republicans, it's been a winning duo for ages.
Jack, Which Senator would offer his wife to a bunch of heathen bikers at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip extravaganza? Hope that answers your question, and many others.
Craig, Hiram Rapids, Oh.
Jack it's interesting that Obama was the one that voted for Big Oil tax breaks when McCain voted against. He also received $400k in donations from Big Oil. This is all propaganda to sway uninformed voters.
Art
NYC
Jack
Who wants to drill now the hell with the with the enivorment I want to know why cann't big oil drill where they have leases now ?
John McCain wants to get elected and the only way he can do that is to garner support from the Republican party. That means big oil. He received over $1m in contributions as soon has he changed his position on off shore drilling, meaning that he is accepting large amounts of money from the oil industry and they will certainly want a large return on their rather large investment. He is against the windfall profits tax, unlike Obama, and even Fox News's O'Reilly is asking for the oil companies to give back to consumers 2% (I believe) of their profits. McCain is oil-ier than Obama!
Jack,
McCain is definitely in bed with the big oil companies. I'd be surprised if there's any room for Cindy, because John sleeps with these companies.
As a citizen of the USA who would you be more comfortable with, a candidate who takes money from large corporations or a candidate who takes money from employees of large companies? I for one am tired of the politics of corporate greed. Its this greed that has placed us in the situation we find ourselves in! The middle class will be extinct and hence Democracy, as no Democracy can exist without a middle class. We can continue the politics of Bush or take a risk on hope!
Surely you jest ! Like all other Republicans, John McCain is in the hip pocket of big oil. He will say one thing to get votes, but when it comes to big oil, McCain will do fruit loops for them, or jump through hoops for them, bend over, and kiss their shoes looking for a tidbit. He would do this because this is what his party does, on the other hand, Obama is bound by his Democrat base to do as Democrats do, and that is to level the playing field for everyone. The sooner we get out from under the stranglehold that big oil has on us, and their prifiteering practices (check out there profits for the last quarter) the better off the country will be.
Of course the answer is McCain, for now. The only reason Obama isn't in bed with big oil is because he's ahead in the polls. Its funny to see how these two change their stances on issues as the polls change. Wouldn't it be nice if we could get someone who took the best of both and get them elected? Tire gauges are a way to save gas, just like more drilling would produce more crude. So would regulating fuel costs but nobodies talking about that.
Come on Jack, this is obvious. It is no coincidence that T. Boone Pickens, Bush, McCain, Cheney and the practically the whole state of Texas are all Republicans. What state are the U.S. oil companies headquartered in, Texas! Isn't also true that the GOP has always supported Big Business, yep! So of course McCain is going to be a better choice for Big Oil. Sadly though, Americans can not afford another Republican for this election.
Obama agreed to reconsider limited off shore drilling if it's part of a bigger plan for researching alternative energy sources. Why do all you commentators fail to mention that part of Obama's supposed "flip-flop" on off shore drilling?
Jack,
It's definitely John McCain. If the big oil companies wanted to drill in my backyard, I'm sure he'd let them.
Off-shore drilling may be a good idea for the near future, but the 70% of Americans who support it should bear in mind that it does not dodge the reality that, one day, oil really will run out. It’s like Brett Favre’s retirement: maybe not this year, but it’s bound to happen eventually. Alternative fuels are the only long-term solutions. I find it interesting that Sen. McCain has so artfully made off-shore drilling the focus not only of his own position, but of the entire debate, and I was disappointed to see Sen. Obama play into his game. Because McCain has so quickly and whole-heartedly adopted Bush’s oil ideology, he seems much more sympathetic to big oil. But Barack Obama needs to be crusading for alternatives, not answering to lame accusations and conceding to half-measures.
-Adam Spillman, Maine
Big Oil has the Big, no HUGE money.
Both will find a way to curry favor with the money. After all; it is money that is represented in our government: government of the people by the money for the rich.
Will Rogers told us this back in the 1930's when he observed we had the best government money could buy.
Hey Jack, this might actually be an easier question to answer than I previously thought....
Which one of them has stock in either oil or so-called clean coal? That should answer your question.
Jack,
The big oil companies have paid for John' s sympathy. When you spend a million and over you want your candidate to deliver. John has not let them down so far.
O/08
Jack, honestly, does it really matter? Big Oil is going to have to be a solution until we, collectively, as a country decide to rid ourselves of an oil dependency. I have little faith either candidate will be able to fulfill any sort of commitment to this mission while receiving any degree of funding from Big Oil.
Here's a question that needs to be asked to Big Oil. Why aren't they making a commitment towards developing cheaper, more efficient energy alternatives? At $1500 per hour profit it's about time they get off their asses. Surely they must recognize that drilling for more oil is a) not cheap, b) limited, c) will not be a long term solution on a planet that is increasingly consuming this natural resource.
It's time this economic thieves answer our questions!
Now let's look at tax cuts for oil, Senator McCain is keeping Bush's tax cuts for the very rich and Bush is an oil man, even to point of holding some Saudi oil Prince's hand. Gt the picture here? Case Closed.
I think to a certain extent either candidate would be equally fair but not necessarily sympathetic to big oil. Any new energy policy must include the oil companies. Period. It is hardly the fault of the oil companies that the American people's usage of oil has been un-restrained by either good sense or the leadership of this nation since 1973. And it isn't necessarily the fault of the American people that the leadershp of this nation for the last 35 years haven't had good sense or shown any kind of restraint themselves.
Where I was raised they had the biggest oil strike in U.S. history in 1946. My dad worked in those oil fields which at the time of their discovery were projected to last 50 years. By 1957 the oil company was already sending their employees to Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and other places like Sumatra and Columbia. In the 60's they closed both production plants down and in the 70's sold their offices and their airstrip to a non-profit organization. I understand that due to the high cost of oil they are beginning to drill deeper there, since there is still alot of oil, but they will only continue to drill if the price of oil remains high.
Geri – Mead, OK
Jack,
Do you need to ask? It is McCain who is the oil industry's pants. He took so much money from them before and after he opted to drill, drill and drill.
Jack,
McCain would be the Oil Companies best friend. As McCain has beat his fist on the podium like Khrushchev saying we must drill off shore my friends is he talking to us or the Oil Companies. I think he is talking to his real friends the Oil Companies.
Paul
Texas
Without a clear and concise energy program from either McCain or Obama, this question will be answered by the one that big oil donates the biggest bucks to. Nothing has changed.
I'd have to say McCain Jack!
The G.O.P.(Giant ,Oil ,Party) love's big business. And let's face it energy is the biggest!
I'll tell you one way of bringing down oil prices! Start pulling out of Iraq.
America is the biggest user of oil in the world,and our military is the biggest user of oil in America. If we bring our troop's home that will bring our demand for oil down alot more than, drilling offshore will increase our supply! Not to mention it's the right thing to do.
The answer is McCain. Once he flipflopped on Off Shore Oil Drilling,
his campaign coffers got a big boost. McCains Straight Talk Express
has been jumping the Tracks because he has no true message to say. I wish he would flipflop home.
'We need to drill here, we need to drill now?'
McCain has them in his pocket of course
Let's see McCain supports off shore drilling....gets $1.3 million worth of donations from oil companies. Oil companies enjoy billion dollar quarter profits...McCain wants to give them $4 billion dollars worth of tax credits. Gas prices are outrageous...McCain wants to give a gas tax holiday for the oil companies. Obama wants to take away tax breaks from oil companies, Obama wants to tax windfall profits...I think im going to go with A.) McCain = Big Oil
Is this a rhetorical question? The responses suggest that it is...
I'm not a spin-meister, but I would call Sen. Obama's stance an issue of "quib pro quo" – not flip-flopping...
First it was Bomb Bomb Bomb
Now its Drill Drill Drill
You gotta love the old guy McCain for wining the slogan wars.
Jack, the $1.3 million Big Oil has given to McCain means a lot more to his low-budget operation than $400,000 from oil employees does to Obama. The oil companies know in return for the cash to keep his campaign alive, McCain is pushing hard to score just a little more for the junkies. If McCain is very lucky, by the time we need our next emergency fix he'll be out of office and the pain of getting clean will be somebody else's problem. Why should he care?
Wake up... and smell the Foreign Oil...700 billion per year of it!
Take a close look at who is getting rich? Why are we picking on ourselves as the problem? We should be looking at acquiring Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait. We do this in our own country all the time. It's called hostile takeovers!
With much buying power the US (government and oil companies) should OWN those countries. PERIOD!
Without Big Bad Oil, we wouldn't be driving our SUVs and enjoying our boats on the weekend, so stop the whining. The hype about the government's connections to the oil industry is getting tiresome. The last time I checked, corporations were entitled to make profits. Why can't voters understand that the economy benefits when corporations succeed? Do you really think taxing oil companies is going to make them cut prices? If you haven't noticed, when corporations pay more tax, the increase is passed onto consumers. Voters are also very naive if they think Pop Star Obama has never voted for a bill that benefits big business.
Let's see, McCain spoke in front of a bunch of Oil Execs in Houston and announced that he was for lifting the ban on drilling. Obama said that he might go along with some limited drilling in a big sweeping energy bill as a way to get it passed. Jack, you decide.
Also, it's funny that the media is only concerned with painting Obama as a flip flopper on drilling and missing the big picture. For weeks everyone has been upset at Congress, including you Jack, because they can't get anything passed as it relates to an Energy policy. In an effort to get something done, Obama said that he might go along with some things that he doesn't like (ie – drilling) in order to get a bill passed. Part of his whole campaign from the start has been about stopping partisian bickering in Washington and working across the aisle to get things done. Seems to me that this is a good example but it's too intellegent for the media to understand so they rather go with the overly used flip flop line.
Jack,
Who knows what to believe. Both Obama and McCain will say or do anything to get elected.
I had no idea that Obama's message of 'change' was in regard to his positions. We are definitely seeing change, here!
Typical Washington politics, indeed.
It makes me sick to see the oil companies robbing America blind. People are hurting, and McCain is out promoting the wishes of Big Oil every day. What amazes me is that the average conservative voter thinks that this is all okay.
How could either candidate justify doing anything for big oil companies. The profit that they make in one day could fix alot of bridges,schools etc. This is nothing but robbery by them and any one who is watching gas prices flucuate now knows it.
Bush, Mcain, Obama. In that order!!
Jack,
In one word, it's McBush...
C.I., New York
McCain is currently endorsing oils economic agenda by pushing tax holidays and more drilling offshore. Obama is against both (though he is willing to compromise to get his other energy policy passed). Obama is trying also to push for hybrid technology that could get up to 150 miles to the gallon. I don't think the oil companies will dig that
I think John McCain needs to watch Ferngully.
First we must make the critical distinction between oil execs and employees. I'd say those making the most money in this sellers market are looking to protect their profits with McSame.
On the other hand, the employee struggling to make his car payment or is upside-down in his mortgage in this abysmal market and all-the-while knowing his children are heading off to college any year now– THAT guy is voting for Obama.
And please stop saying that Obama flip-flopped, I know we aren't used to honest pragmatic candidates but let's not mischaracterize that with which we don't understand.
Follow the money. Senator McCain started getting large donations to his campaign the moment he changed his stand on off shore drilling.
Senator Obama sees the drilling as one part of an overall solution towards energy independance.
John McCain received over 1.4 million in contributions from big oil. Oil is why we went to Iraq to create a war instead of concentrating completely on Afghanistan. John McCain all the way – 30 years experience in selling the American people out.
Both but with Obama stating tax the oil companies NOW but on 6/18 he had a NO VOTE...I just love it when a LIE comes together...
Official Title of Legislation:
S 3044: A bill to provide energy price relief and hold oil companies and other entities accountable for their actions with regard to high energy prices, and for other purposes.
@ Mark – Asheville, NC
We just do not know? Are you serious? Oil companies have been shelling out money to The GOP for years and McCain has received 3 – 5 times as much as Obama has. Going on the track record and the amount of money they have given so far, its clear that McCain is going to be in their pocket. I am sorry but if someone gives you 1.3 million dollars and you think they won't want something in return you are foolish.
Hey Jack I'm so tired of he said he said. So why don't we have all these professional political vacationer's come back , and vote that effect September 1 all oil leases that have not been use are revoked. Take away all tax brakes to oil companies. Then sit back and watch where the wolves attack, and we will know who's in who's pocket.
My daily commute to work and back is almost 200 miles.
Thanks to a stick shift, coasting whenever I can, no jack rabbit acceleration, breaking as little as possible, using low resistance resistance tires, keeping them inflated at the CORRECT pressure and driving 5 miles below the max speed allowed, my Accent returns almost 38 miles per gallon. By making (cheap) fun of the importance of correct tire air pressure, Sen. McCain demonstrates once more that he should count until 10 before uttering unadulterated nonsense.......
No doubt that John McCain is determined to follow the Bush/Cheney lead and sleep with Big Oil. As a Republican ashamed of my party it is hard to see McCain as Country First when he walks around in $520 loafers while children are homeless and whines about Obama raising taxes on anyone like him which earns over a quarter of a million dollars a year. You would think that he would gladly pay more to his country if his country comes first. Quit lying John, YOU COME FIRST!
"Big Oil" is owned by private stockholders who share in any profits, which by the way are already at a lower rate that most big corporations. How about Budweiser or CocaCola; don't they make at least 10% profits too? And lawyers and hospitals??? Pick on the most significant corporate area to the base of our way of life and ruin them for what reason? Just so Obama can have his way and really screw up the world?
All politicians of all stripes bow to the interest of big money!
Why the debate?
Ummm... McCain. Duh.
Katie
Nashville, TN
McCain is by far but what I like is Obama is willing to shake up the oil companies, not that anything will be done. Look at GM. They are still unwilling to change from your large Suvs. How many can afford one with the new hybrid technology? I can't. At least since Obama wants more options the price of the autos will come down and give American people better choices to protect the world.
I feel this an unfair question. How can you really tell which would be. You said it yourself they will tell lies to get elected. This makes this kind of question very had to answer. I really don't think John Mc Cain would be in big oils pocket he and his wife have more money than they could ever spend. Obama however is not that well off. We know he has been associated with some pretty shady characters in Chicago so. You know all the underhanded and under the table deals that have chacterized our so called democratic govenment for the last 8 years at least.
Jack,
You can pick on Mc Shame and Obama if you want thats Ok.
But lets pick on all the Plutocrats. They all are guilty of support for Big Oil. #5 yrs ago this government should have ask auto makers to increase mileage on all cars and trucks. Instead the auto industry built the big gas guzzlers. Is that the way to save gasolene? Not in my book. Happy motoring.
It doesn't really matter. In either case we're going to get more of the same in terms of free passes for oil companies. Trying to take the oil companies out of Washington would be like trying to take the prostitutes out. Everyone has too much money invested and too much dirty left behind to take a real stand.
McCain is going to dare claim that Obama has flip-flopped? Maybe he should look in a mirror. When he ran against the current president eight years ago for the Republican nomination, he had vastly different stances on nearly every issue. He can claim all he wants that Obama is pro-oil, but the fact of the matter is that the big oil companies donate to the Republican not the Democratic party. Money is money, honey.
Jack, Jack, Jack (sigh) Scrolling through the comments here it is at least 99 to one that Big Oil owns McCain.
Who really knows at this point. There is so much flip flopping going on. However, it appears that McCain has his arms around the oil people. This has turned into a real "MESS". Who do you really believe is the correct question.
I doubt seriously that either is sympathetic to the big oil companies and anyone who questions either man changing his mind on drilling doesn't realize the importance of the energy crisis.
McSlime, he is made of oil.
Check into the Hess contributors, expecially the couple that donated almost 60% of their income, after McCain said he supported new/off-shore drilling then ask the question again.
McCain.
Off-Shore McCain, of course! While you may have Obama thinking about off-shore drilling for the nation's concerns, McCain has been stressing Big Oil's concerns ever since the summer dropping of taxes on gasoline being trumpeted by both Hillary and McCain. This is simply a McGimmick promulgated by McCain and McHillary for a short-term poll gain(if any!) Obama has seen through this gimmick but looks at energy requirements for a non-political matter while McCain looks at Big Oil in terms of big political pay-offs! You can't spell McCain without Big Oil's input because Big Oil has been spelling McCain's political policies for years!
Why doesn't anyone mention that Obama flat out LIED about the supposed $2million that McCain received from oil companies?
Why doesn't anyone mention the FACT that Obama received hundreds of thousands of dollars from 'Big Oil'???
It is obvious that Obama doesn't want to do anything to put more oil on the markets so the oil companies can continue to rake in record profits.
Ohh, he wants to give everyone $1000 so the can go out and BUY MORE OIL!!
Easy question. Obama is in the pocket of big oil.
Senator Obama said yesterday that McCain previously mentioned that Washington was repsonsible for the last 30 years. McCain has been there for 26 years. Do the math.
Has anyone noticed that as soon as really good ideas pop up on new energy sources the price drops a little. Hoping one day we really get to tell all of oil to stick it .
McFart !
By the way, correct me if I am wrong since when it was a sin to receive money from ordinary people working for Oil companies ... They are ordinary people as all of all those who give donations to campaigns regardless whom they work for. As far as I know they take this money from their pay check, they are looking for any compromise in return. they are not federal lobbyists who give over 1 million bucks to McOil campaign
I did the math; McCain+G.W.Bush=BIG OIL. It's time for change that we can believe in.
They both are or will be in big oil's pocket at some point. When you have large corporations with that much cash on hand and an election year, you know a lot of it is going to "trickle down" into campaign coffers. That good ol' .5% of the populations that is making 90% of the money is going to hedge their bets regardless of who gets into the White House.
McOld !
By the way, correct me if I am wrong since when it was a sin to receive money from ordinary people working for Oil companies … They are ordinary people as all of all those who give donations to campaigns regardless whom they work for. As far as I know they take this money from their pay check, they are looking for any compromise in return. they are not federal lobbyists who give over 1 million bucks to McOil campaign
This doesn't seem like a very interesting question. Everyone has always known that the republicans are more "sympathetic" to any big company – especially oil.
It's like they say: there are two types of republicans – millionaires and suckers.
That is an easy one. If you look up Support for Big Oil in the dictionary you will find synonyms McCain, McSame, McBush, McOil .
Frankly – Mc No-Change and the Audacity of Hypocracy are about even.
Obama twists his words to fit his mood- he's never met a position he could be on both sides of. So, I'm sure big oil will be no different.
McCain- is so deperate for this win, that all of the convictions he held are going out the window except that of staying at war.
The only change we are going to get from either of these career politians is a new name on the letterhead inthe oval office.
Jack –
Who knows what to believe. Both Obama and McCain will say or do anything to get elected.
I had no idea that Obama’s message of ‘change’ was in regard to his positions. We are definitely seeing change, here!
Typical Washington politics, indeed.
Jack,
You know its McCain, ok the 2 million was less but he still received 1.3 million right after he announce his support for drilling. Obama wants to tax the oil companies. These replubicans have been winning off this oil issue since Jimmy Carter. Jack just think what the world would have been like if we listen to Carter then, his ideas are the things we are being force to do now.
If A=B and B=C, then A equals C. They teach you that in the 5th grade.
That said, from the last that I heard, Dick Cheney was still a republican and so is Senator McCain. While McCain has attempted to distance himself from Cheney in the public eye, they are still buddies. McCain would've picked Cheney as his VP had he won in 2000. So it is McCain Jack.
John McCain would be, there is no doubt. At least Obama wants to tax the wind-fall profits of the oil companies. McCain, like Bush and his Republican peers feel that big business can do no wrong.
It might be interesting to learn if McCain has deeper ties with big oil. Does he have stock in the companies? Is he, or his wife invested though the back door in oil? Could be interesting. 1.2 million is not 2 million but it is a big piece of pie. They are going to want something for their bucks.
Obama will say and do anything in this election, including flip-flop on core democratic principles....so my answer is : if being sympathetic gets Obama elected, you can bet he's big oil's new best friend !
John, Ex-Obama supporter, Framingham MA
Why is it that the large donations Obama got from oil companies are ignored and Mccain's are exaggerated along with the idea that McCain wants a tax cut that will benefit only the oil companies. As to the windfall tax, since the oil companies profits are about 7%, lower than many other companies, should the windfall tax apply to all those companies that make more that 7% profits–like the medical industry with profits of 25%. It appears that Obama is using creative bookkeeping. Certainly I want lower gas prices but the medical bills . are forcing more people into bankruptcy than the gas prices. Right now Obama seems to be going as the winds blows, changing his positions according to the polls.
Neither candidate can be in the pocket of big oil companies for much longer. Big oil companies are just trying reap as much profits as it can before the party is over. Alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen are on the way up. Even I became optimistic about our future when I read about BMW's new hydrogen car and a fueling station in Nashville, TN. No, I can't afford a BMW, but if BMW did it, then others will follow. Build it and they will come should be every auto makers theme. GM and Ford could pull their sinking companies up by the boot straps by making an affordable car that runs on hydrogen and put in hydrogen fueling stations. American ingenuity should not be sold short. We can and will prevail over foreign oil and big oil companies.
John McCain would be Jack. Barack has been talking about solving our energy problems before the gas prices went out of control. From the beginning of his campaign he has been talking about the U.S. going green as a new energy policy. Wind, Solar, Clean coal and plugin Hybrids... John McCain only started talking about this since the prices went up and the issue got popular.
So McCain fails at math? 1.3 million is less than 400,000?
Jack,
McCain will be more sympathetic. I would love to know which oil company donated. When i look it up i see that people donated not oil companies. You also pointed out that McCain is for giving the Oil companies a tax break and many people think that is why he is getting support from big oil. What is not said is that Obama is for giving a tax break to 2/3 of the population and that is why he gets any support from anyone other than the black community. You also forgot to mention that Obama is for taxing Oil company's profits. I am sure you did not bring it up because you are in recognition that what Obama proposed is unconstitutional. I also hope you know that increasing taxes on oil will only lead to higher prices at the pump.
Jack, my friend, they both seem to go easy on "Big Oil", but you gotta get a grip, my friend. "Big Oil" is what gets us the kickapoo juice to make our Hummers hum, and although their profits are huge it is difficult to label them 'excessive' since the scope of these corporate giants is huge, too.
The culprit is foreign oil, for the short term, and oil itself for the long term.
Obama is obviously dedicated to reducing dependence on oil in the long term. McSame is not a believer in the inconvenient truth, but will kowtow to public knowledge that 'less oil is good', as long as it does not inconvenience the profits of the oil companies.
Both are deicated to reducing the dependence on foreign oil but differ in their ways of doing it. Obama, in effect, says "start NOW diminishing the dependence on oil from any source". McSame doesn't see the importance of that at all; all he can see is loss of profit if "Big Oil" is nudged.
McSame, along with the enitre oil industry, firmly believes that if and when our dependence on oil comes about – in that far off tomorrow which no-one alive can visualize – that "Big Oil" should, and will, be the leaders in the transition; always doing what is best for America, of course. profit wise. Obama, along with hundreds of millions of common people, believe that this change in dependency is too important to be left to any one industry, group, or government, and that the scope of that change in dependency will and should be VAST, and thorough.
You see that's the problem. The very fact that a presidential candidate will be sympathetic is the issue. The simple answer is he who gets more money from oil lobbyist. It’s the position a candidate takes on issues that we vote on but it’s the will of who ever stuffs their pockets the most that we get. A president is a self appointed master of the people, like it or not they are. If that master has his own debts to be paid prior to even taking the position in which he/she was elected, then where does that leave the peoples will? It leaves it permanently between “not a short or a long term solution”. Quote courtesy of Obama.
Big Oil is going to buy into both parties. In the end, they are hoping for McCain since most republicans are invested in Big Oil already.
Jack, Why do the liberals like you and Obama always have to find a villian to blame. Big Oil as you say is making a profit- So is Big Government!! on oil. Wake up!! The more Obama wants to tax, the more the little guy like me is going to pay at the pump for gas- The greater the supply the less demand and the lower prices. Obviously McCain would be an improvement over the Socialist Obama.
The price of gasoline and home heating oil is a foreign policy issue that Mcain is better suited to handle.
Are you kidding Jack? Barack Obama wants to tax the hell out of those Windfall profits the oil company devils have squeezed out of the American consumers...then he'll use that money to distribute $1000 checks to the impoverished masses so they afford to buy that ridiculously overpriced petroleum. As for McCain, as the Rolling Stones so aptly put it, he has "Sympathy for the Devil."
The answer to the question is McCain. As a wife of a life-long tire man, I am tired (no pun intended) of McCain negating the idea of better tire pressure to get better mileage. It is a truism as mentioned by NASCAR, the DOT, and the tire companies. Since people are in such a bind with gas prices, inflating tires is at least one quick solution even tho' it be only 3-4%. As far as the Republicans grandstanding to get Congress to reconvene to pass an energy bill–where were all of these people four years ago when they were in control? Isn't it kind of odd that they want to do something now–I really think that they are staying in Washington because they are afraid to go home and face their constituents! As far as doing any new drilling now, everyone knows that the public will not see any results for at least seven years or more. As T.Boone Pickens said last night–(I am paraphrasing his comments) and Barack Obama as well, we can't drill our way out of this and we need to find alternative fuels. This is such a sorry cause for the Republicans that if so many people weren't upset over energy, they wouldn't even be paying attention to it!
Jack
Follow the money. McCain is showing his true colors and will be a friend of big oil. He is a typical politician that will tell you whatever you want to hear to get elected and do whatever the money tells him to do once in office.
Obama is not much different sadly but I think he might be less of a puppet than McCain will be and Bush/Cheney have been. As I have been saying for months now, where or where is a quality candidate for President because both of the major candidates just don't cut it in my estimation.
John
Carlsbad CA
I'm going to take a guess! Could it be John McCain? Anyway, does it really make a difference. Once Obama is in office he will fall in line with the big oil companies.
Gary from Alaska
They're both in Big Oil's pocket. It looks like McCain owes them $1.3 million in favors and Obama owes them $300,000. Does really it matter who is in deeper? We'll just have different versions of the same bad policy regardless of who is in the White House.
Jack, take out the "Sym" and the key word here is pathetic. McCain will be.
Jack,
As an independant and someone with a little econimics background. I can tell you that both sides will do something for big oil. However if you look how lopsided the donations are then you can determine which side will do more for the oil companies.... Are you lost...here is a hint: one guy got 400,000 dollars and the other got 1.3 million dollars that's a difference of roughly 900,000 dollars.
Now if big oil wants a meeting at the whitehouse during the administration, who do you believe will grant it quicker?
Mccain for sure,ever since he flip-flopped on off shore drilling, the man has been possessed, I have never seen him at his rally's so exicted, that 1.2 million from big oil has him very sympathetic and in their hip pocket's
Without a doubt, McCain would be the same partner to the oil companies that dubbua has been. Looking at the backgrounds of his election staff tells us that. Historically, those same staffers are awarded with key positions in an adminstration. I find it disheartening that current discourse does not expose the facts of how we got to this point. It wasn't just buy simple circumstance. The lack of a comprehensive national energy policy is to blame on the same antaganists, democrat and republican who now scream for a solution; as long as the solution is more wilderness and offshore drilling. So that everytime a hurrican whips up the eastern coastline they can bump the barrel price of oil up 10%?? Offshore drilling will only garuntee big oil's profits of 600-800% into the next 5 decades. Where has all the oil from Alaska gone over the last 25 years? Not to the American markets.
Why do you even think the big oil companies are getting sympathy? From anyone?! Even McCain can't be feeling sympathetic to someone making money hand over fist while the rest of the country is in a recession. Maybe next time you should rethink your wording before America has a collective stroke. Racquel from Missoula, MT
Jack,
you ask the question if either candidate is "sympathetic" to big oil. I'm not so sure if either is "sympathetic," but it appears that with 1.3million dollars in contributions that McCain is in cohoots with big oil. Sure Obama is also $400,000 richer from big oil himself, but it looks like they need to grease the wheel a bit more to get him to change his position like McCain has. I guess that's why he says he'll compromise on drilling...it's his way of asking for more campaign money.
my money is still on Obama for pres though.
Steven
Ohio
what kind of question is this, Bush=cheney=Mccain=Oil, so the answer to you quesion is the oil companies already have McShame in their Pocket, so what ever they say he will do it.
Columbia, Tennessee
McCain is with the party of Big Oil, has taken more campaign contributions from them directly and indirectly, and will be a creature of old school energy. Obama has set an agenda to end oil use in 10 years, which is a worthwhile goal.
Jack
Everyone knows John Mccain is in bed with big oil, He has been for the last 25 years of his senate!!!!!!!
Well Jack: I saw McCain this morning on CNN say 5 times in a row, Drill, drill drill etc. while standing in a nuclear plant; so it is McCain. Yet remember, Obama cannot do the energy package without cooperation from big oil.
I just wish the hell anyone of them will tell the truth about what we can do NOW for increasing domestic production and NOW building new refineries so it works together. Sales without inventory and Inventory without sales: neither works in business.
Jon
Calif.
There is no question that Big Oil has McCain in it's pocket and he will be at their bidding just as Bush was. Nothing will change. Big Daddy rules.
McCain for sure. Obama is only trying to compromise by going along. The one thing I would like to ask those in favor of off-shore drilling, do you really want to go swimming in the ocean filled with oil from a spill? Do you really want oil slicked fish for dinner? I don't.
Look what happened in the Gulf during Katrina. It was a mess. And, if it weren't for those oil rigs the natural buffers would not have been washed away and New Orlean would have been spared.
It's not nice to mess with Mother Nature.
While McCain Keeps on giving to the corporate world, Obama suggests giving to the everyday working people.
When are people going to learn that supply side tax assistance only makes the corporations bottom lines look better artifically.
Demand side (show ME the money) will generate real spending and kick start the economy again. To work, it must be real money. I am waiting for my check!
We went to Iraq for oil and let's not fool ourselves
Who cares?! Look at the percentage profits that "Big Oil" makes and compare that to the profit percentages of other big american companies. The profit percentages of a company like microsoft, or Wal-mart absolutly blow thoes of oil companies out of the water. The problem here isnt the oil companies, is american consumers who go out and eat up a product then turn around and trash the companies who bring it to them. Oil companies are not the problem, irresponsible citizens are. This is the kind of hipocracy seen in the Obama campaign on a daily basis. Clearly out of touch, time to wake up and grow up America.
Jack,
When one candidate promises to, " drill here, and to drill now," And the other promises to, "end the age of oil". I would like to choose the latter, no matter who has taken money from oil company employee's. It's hard to say what an employee's stance is. Maybe many within the oil industry have decided to vote Obama, and started buffing their resumes to be more "green".
-Blake, Santa Clarita, CA
Someone should explain to these Obama morons the difference between a profit and a profit margin. The federal government makes more on a gallon of gasoline than Exxon. Why?
And if you're concerned about oil's profit margin, why aren't all you demagogic populists attacking Microsoft, Dell and Coca Cola. Your ignorance is staggering, which is, of course, why you are all blithely supporting Obama.
Has anyone noticed that as these guys try to out dumb each other, the price of oil is falling due to reduced demand?
A windfall profits tax and continuing tax breaks for oil companies are both dumb ideas without merit.
Bill
Humble, TX
Are you kidding Jack? Barack Obama wants to tax the hell out of those Windfall profits the oil company devils have squeezed out of the American consumers…then he’ll use that money to distribute $1000 checks to the impoverished masses so they can afford to buy that ridiculously overpriced petroleum. As for McCain, as the Rolling Stones so aptly put it, he has “Sympathy for the Devil.”
This is just pure polical posturing on the part of the GOP. Congress was open for all this time except in the month of August. How come they did not insist on voting the energy bill? Where is the energy bill since 2001? NONE. When we invaded Iraq the price of oil was $1.47 a gallon. It's pure BALONEY!
The Republicans are already in bed with big oil.Why else would they put in overtime with the lights out to expound their commitment to them.
Unfortunately they will both do what needs to be done to get elected. It's all just a game and we have to figure out which one will be the lesser of two evils. God help us!
If you want an independent minded president – whether toward big oil or anything else – go with McCain. Due to his age, he is a one-term president, and he knows it. Pair that fact with his tendencies to "do his own thing" – he is unwedded to anyone, and will do what is best. Obama, on the other hand, is at the start of his political career – and, as evidenced by the fact that we even know his name (being that he simply has no substantive political track record to speak of) – he owes everything to the Democratic establishment, and anyone else who has helped prop him up to where he is today. Obama is no grass-roots phenom, he is neck-deep in owing the establishment for their support and favors.
Also, in response to Obama's charge that McCain was in congress for 26 out of the 30 years we have been trying to fix our energy crisis – well, I think Obama should take a hard look at that fact exactly = Washington is a place where things just don't happen overnight (or over 30 years for that matter). The fact that Mr. Obama thinks he can just sashay into Washington and "change" all this is the biggest joke of them all.
Flip a coin.
Jack,
With so many other ways to develop alternative energey, which T. Boones spoke about last night on Larry King. Yet , the only thing Mccain wants to do is "drill here and drill now" and nothing else. He even refuse to look at the bi-partisan energy bill that congress wants to pass. All those things combine tell me just like Cheney he has been bought. I wonder what happen to Mccain I used to like in 2000
Keep the cafferty file..
McCain is the most sympathetic, it's pathetic
Are you kidding with this one Jack? The very definition of a republican is that they live in the pockets of big business. McCain is no different, that's whay he wants to give tax breaks to the wealthy and the corporations. And then he'll use the taxes that he gets from the rest of us to pay for subsidies and bail-outs for the wealthy and the corporations.
~ Tim in Texas
Jack,
We have two choices: the candidate Obama and the party McCain. It wouldn't matter if Cindy McCain was running... the republicans are voting for their agenda not for McCain.
historically the republicans have been more cozy with big oil, so you can expect that to continue. but who knows? besides everyone today says they want change, right?
It doesn't matter who is more sympathetic, until we are independent of foreign oil any elected leader has to play ball with the big oil companies and OPEC. So perhaps a better question is, "who is going to eliminate our need to ACT sympathetic towards big oil companies".
Which candidate will be beholden to the oil companys?
why the one that gets elected
So, let me get this straight, McCain is 'in the pocket' of Big Oil because he wants to expand production of more oil, which is THE FUEL SOURCE OF THIS COUNTRY!!
..but, Obama wants to end oil production and give that money to his friends in the wind farms and green industries and he's not considered 'in the pocket' of these companies??
You Obama fans really need to get a grip, and better yet, get an education!
It's obvious from most of these posts, you clowns don't even come close to getting facts on the subject you post on.
No wonder you support Obama, you are out of touch with reality.
Jack,
Despite his self proclaimed moniker as the "straight talk express" it is a stretch to believe that McCain will turn on the very people who are his biggest contributors. Just ask his other pals, Charles Ergen, Bud Paxson, and Fred Smith.
Allen
Yuma
John McSame is now, and will always remain sympathetic to big oil.
He depends on them to fund his campaign. He was broke until they wrote him a 2 million dollar check. They probably paid for those junior high ads where he totally disrespected Senator Obama, Brittany what's her name, and Miss Paris Hilton. What does Mc Cain think these she have to do with the cost of living in America?
Jack, I agree with the majority of people on this blog in saying that John McCain would be more sympathetic to Big Oil companies than Obama. 1.3 million dollars to a campaign from a Large Oil Coorperations, or 300,000 from Oil Company Employees. I've noticed you keep mentioning this in different terms. Without windfall tax on oil profits, who is going to benefit from any production, now or in the future, of any domestic off-shore drilling? OIL COMPANIES! Lets get going with some alternatives to oil? are we really this lazy? common
Jack,
It does not take Einstein to fiqure this one. McCain is no doubt
in the pocket of big oil and big wealthy anything. He has no concept of what the little man is going through. Obama knows exactly what small, poor, middle class etc., etc.
McCain having graduated 894 out of 899 in his class( can you believe that) probably thinks like Bush and Cheney(wealthy each) that the average person is doing well. He also believes that big oil needs more profits.
This notion of give money to big business and they will cause the benefits to trickle down is ridiculous because they are not using it to reinvest the renewable energy nor or they creating more jobs. They are pocketing the money and laying off employees. This must stop.
His is part and parcel of the Great Oil Party (GOP)
The REAL point to be made is that Obamma is obvioulsy in the pocket of the Tire Air Pressure Gauge Consortium.
Jack, it has always been about big bucks and always will; just follow the money. McCain is in bed with big oil just like Bush and Cheney. the oil companies want to grab up all the oil leases they can. Why don't we hear more about why the oil companies aren't drilling on the leased property they already have, some of the leased land promises to produce many barrels of oil.
I Belive senator McCain would be more sypathtic to oil companies and to be in pocket of big oil he has been supporting them since he was in office what makes you think he's still not going to pass bills and laws to supporting them making record breaking profits in a time recession.
Without a doubt in the world –McCain!!!!!!!
Am I on Candid Camera?
Jack: There is a HUGE difference between receiving money from oil companies and receiving money from the employees and you all know it. All McOily talks about is either off-shore drilling or the "Surge". More drilling and continuing the war = more money in the oil companies pockets.
Jack,
Is this even a serious question?
why the GRAND OIL PARTY of course, lead by McBush
With both parties flip-flopping, I don't trust either one of them.
Can we start all over with better candidates?
As president, which candidate would be more sympathetic
to the big oil companies: John McCain or Barack Obama?
Jack your question is awaiting moderation.
I think McCain is so desparate for the White House he would sell us all to the highest bidder so it's no surprise he is cozing up to big oil.
Republicans give big oil a nice subsidy, big oil supports the Republicans. Democrats do get some of the support, just in case. Tax payers pay for it all. McCain had better support big oil. That is why the fight for off shore drilling. It's not for the oil, it is to keep all the available land in the hands of big oil. Why would you drill for more oil and make the price go down????
When you follow the money, it usually leads you to the truth.