[big campaign] Tracking Update: McCain Speech / Roundtable in Springfield, MO 06/18/08

podesta-emails 3,106 words email

P17 V11 V15 D4 V16

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all, We did not have a tracker on the ground at this event, but we were able to monitor it from streaming video. Below are our notes.* * Big Highlights - A protester interrupted McCain's speech, yelling about $500,000 going to Big Oil and 'stand up against the current administration.' McCain responded that he's happy to take people's questions but Americans are tired of people yelling at each other. - Acknowledges the flooding, said he's going to be in IA tomorrow - Says he voted against alternate energy bills because they were temporary and "often the result of who had the best lobbyist instead of who had the best ideas" - Reasserts commitment against drilling in ANWR while encouraging states to pursue offshore drilling - Says Obama's using him support for offshore drilling to claim McCain's Bush's 3rd term, but Obama voted for Bush's 2005 energy bill - In speech, touts drilling in OCS as short-term solution, clean coal and nuclear power as longer-term solution - Roundtable topics: Coal-gassification and carbon-capturing; accelerating nuclear plant construction through deregulation; carbon sequestration; terrorist threats against oil pipelines - Q&A topics: Short-term solutions to families; drilling in ANWR, Fair Tax, earmarks, draft Springfield, MO: McCain Speech and Roundtable 06/18/08 *(Disclaimer: *The following are notes, not direct quotes. If you'd like a quotable transcript or video of any part below, please email us.) Background Details - Mike Nietzel, (Pres of MO State University) gave introductory remarks - According to local news reports<http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806180516>, seating limited to first 350 people (first-come, first-serve) - McCain played with pen throughout roundtable. - Roundtable members include: - Moderator retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Jim Jones, president of the Institute for 21st Century Energy - Greg Boyce, CEO of the Peabody Energy Corporation - Mike Chesser, CEO of Great Plains Energy - Tammy Jahnke, dean of MSU's College of Natural and Applied Sciences *Link to transcript of speech:* http://thepage.time.com/mccains-remarks-at-springfield-missouri-event/ Speech highlights, not in prepared remarks - At the beginning, says people in MO, IL, and IA are having trouble with the floods. I'm going to be in IA tomorrow. They are showing prayers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them. - Protester yells: $500,000 has gone to Big Oil. Stand up against the current administration! (about 1/3 into remarks) - McCain: I've heard this at other events. I would've told that man if he'd let me finish that i'm happy to take his question. Americans are tired of us yelling at each other. Roundtable Highlights: - JAHNKE introduces herself and thanks McCain- we have $2.5M in federal money for our programs. - MCCAIN: So federal money is important to you? - JAHNKE: yes. - BOYCE: Thank you for your comprehensive view, in terms of long-term and short-term problem of energy supply. We look at the problem from a global scenario. There are people in poverty. Coal is a huge energy resource. Coal is 85% of energy resource that we have in this country, so it's key for us. We've probably missed 10 or 15 years of advancing clean coal technology, but it's not too late. Your vision is critical to be able to change the energy structures that we have. - MCCAIN: Where are we technology-wise on coal-gassification? - BOYCE: It's being used worldwide on an extensive scale. Not here because we don't know have a facility and we don't know what a plant of that large scale would do. Right now we're caught up in carbon-capturing system. Not clear It would require regulation in terms of who permits the storage, who owns the aquifier that liquid carbon would be stored in, etc. - MCCAIN: If early next year I could pass the legislation that you'd need to move forward. How long til it could come to fruition on your end? - BOYCE: We need permits. As soon as legislation in place, there's construction. realistically, 3-5 year time frame on a fast track. The technology exists. it's a matter of labor and design, construction of large-scale industrial construciton. Good side is it's a new manufacturing jobs for people in this country. - CHESSER: We think the demand for energy is going to grow in next 30 years, so the demand's going up. and the federal govt is going to be critical in carbon sequestration and building these nuclear plants. My fear is that we're going to go backwards to things like natural gas. No we should accelerate forward to things like carbon sequestration. In the next 5-7 years, we're going to need to build a bridge to the future system. We can do innovative things in the short-term but we're going to need a long-sighted strategy. - MCCAIN: Do you have nuclear facilities? - CHESSER: Yes. - MCCAIN: Plans to move forward? - CHESSER : Yes. Sites that we're looking into. For smaller utilities, we'd need to partner with others to build nuclear plants. - MCCAIN: Impediments to move forward? - CHESSER Biggest is financial security. We need a regulatory system in place where we can earn the return and not have to wait. The rising costs of electricity are also increasing costs, so nuclear will be more of a clear and present choice. - JONES: I first concentrated on energy as national security issue (terrorists line of attack being to attack our energy supply) and as I got into it, I realized it also impacts our economic security. What we're talking about is going to materially affect future generations; it's not a short-term problem. So we started an energy institute, the mission being to grassroots educate people to make sure people understand the problem is greater and broader than high gas prices at present. So we can stay on economic playing-ground. We need to approach this like building the highway system or going to the moon. There is optimism, but it's long-term, not short-term; we need long-term strategic plans. Advocate change. Our institute is taking us out to 2030 with a strategic plan to better harness the supply and demand and still respect the enviro. National component- unifying the supply sector, investing in R&D so we can bring in technology, and to play a national leadership role in being part of the solution and not the problem. We're going to have to rely more on diversity, efficiency (private sector is doing good job at this), affordability, and apply our role as world's leader in technology toward clean energy, steward on climate change. We should be able to cut in half the 5 years it takes to get through the regulatory scheme it must to build a nuclear plant. - MCCAIN: Possible risk we face due to our dependency on foreign oil? - JONES: Being over-dependent on one source is unwise strategy. Nixon said never again will we be dependent on foreign oil so that we would never again face something like the gas crisis of the 1970s. - MCCAIN: True that bin Laden has sent instructions to attack oil facilities and they've made some attempts? - JONES: Absolutely. Our debt going overseas to pay for this-- some of this is coming back to haunt us, aka through terrorism. In our national interest to decrease this dependence. There are solutions, they are diverse. We need to do more to assist the R&D, more people that are dedicated to this kind of engineering and science, and we need to have a long-term attention span on this. Question and Answer - 1 Q) Sara Craig (McCain asked her to speak because there'd been a special request from her pre-event to ask the first question): All of us are dealing with energy, causing financial crunches.(1) What are your plans as Pres? (2) as a Sen, what are you going to do to help us now (today, tomorrow, next week). Panel is talking about next 5, 10, 20 years. We're hurting today. (3) What assurance can you give us that that will follow through? - MCCAIN: Will you give us some examples of challenges your family is facing? - Craig: My hubby and I are self-employed. I travel, he does automotive repairs. When gas prices go up, business shuts down for 2 weeks, so people stop with auto repairs. My business is health and wealthness and sales--it's kind of luxury. with high prices, people buy only what they need, so it's a major pay cut, and I can't take care of my family. - MCCAIN: I asked you to elaborate because I think families everywhere are facing teh same kind of challenges. - Immediately, I would give you a little break at the pump, and I've been derided for that. *A lot of this money from gas taxes goes to wasteful, pork-barrel unnecessary spending. It's poor people who suffer from this. Economists say this will hurt the Highway Trust Fund *. Well maybe we should stop building a bridge to nowhere that costs $230Million in your tax funds. - I would shame my Congress colleagues to stop wasteful spending, and divert money into much-needed programs that would help. I would do what I can to restore trust and confidence in government. There was a poll the other day that showed 13% approval rating of Congress. We should sit down in bipartisan manner and concrete and positive fashion to address these matters. I'd like to make sure that by balancing the budget, we fix Social Security and Medicare. But in the short term, we need some relief-- maybe another stimulus package. And other short-term measures for short-term relief. - 6 months ago, we would've been talking health care. But now it's gas and energy and we don't know where it's gonna end up (cites Russian oil minister). We need to give Americans concrete plans with concrete dates of when we'll be independent of foreign oil or at least not so dependent on its whims. - Also, I want to give you afforadble health care and fix NCLB. Also, install training and education programs for displaced workers in community colleges like htis. - So I'd love to tell you there's some magic elixir. But it'll take short-term relief and long-term proposals. And I'm sure I could think of more. - McCain sees a ONE representative. Asks him to stand and talk about the organization and ask a question. ONE person talks about organization (2.5 million volunteers). - MCCAIN: Thanks for all you do. I hope this makes you feel a little better. - MCCAIN: We have challenges. we can beat them. We have to understand the problems better and be leaders. - MCCAIN: I might be biased, but I believe the country was in doldrums before Reagan, but he said the best days are ahead of us and I believe that. - 2 Q) College students concerned about tuition rising. What're your plans? - MCCAIN: Student loans are vital for allowing people to receive a quality education in America. I'm worried that the problems on economic market would threaten availability of student loans. We need to have governors make sure these are available. I'd like to see incentives to reward service for this country with educational benefits, esp. for military service. Make sure people especially have more science, math and technology education. Also, fix NCLB, etc. - 3 Q) Clayton Rothchild: Many of my youthful peers turning to Obama? How do you plan to win this bloc? - MCCAIN: (1) I congratulate him on winning the nomination. (2) I ask my children and get a lot of advise and counsel on the challenges they face, what they're interested in, and how they communicate (Internet, Ipods-- young people not using the traditional means of info and knowledge.) (3) I go to their venues. (4) I promise them a safer and more prosperous nation. (5) And BTW, we have a website that's pretty good. - 4 Q) Thanks for encouraging offshore drilling. What would have to change for you to support going after oil in ANWR (safely and ecologically, of course)? Becuase the more aggressive we become in showing we'll go after our own oil, then they'll be afraid that the days of depending on their oil is coming to an end. - MCCAIN: I'd be glad to review changing my views based on changing facts.* But I believe ANWR is a pristine place and I won't drill there, just like I wouldn't drill if there were oil in Grand Canyon. But we should let states, esp. FL and CA, if they so decide, to pursue "offshore exploration and exploitation,"* and I encourage them to do so. - 5 Q) What about the rumors that Saudi Arabia can produce a barrel for $2 but we pay $130? What can you do about it? - MCCAIN: It's called a cartel and they are setting the price of oil- artificially. (2) but also, two growing economies, China and India, are upping their demand. We can't force other nations to change. But we can become independent of Saudi oil and then then can do whatever they want with their oil. Most of the experts i've talked to said that the Saudi promise to increase their production are not going to have a big effect. We need to maximize use of domestic oil supplies, increase independence, increase imports from Mexico and Canada. - 6 Q) Follow-up to question on ANWR (question 4): In terms of being pristine, the Grand Canyon and ANWR don't seem to be on same scale. Under what circumstances could we take advantage of it in an ecological manner to get the oil that's there? - MCCAIN: I don't see an ecological way to do this which is why I oppose it. I am happy to look at new policies, but as of now I don't see a way to do it. - 7 Q) International student: Thanks McCain for stance on national security, but says post-9/11 they're being almost suffocated by regulations. What plans do you ahve for international students and immigration as a whole? - MCCAIN: We need better technology so we can screen people, ideally in their countries of origin. We need to balance need for national security with programs that work for allowing students to come over and/or to work here (legally) to contribute to our country. After 9/11 this has gotten more difficult, but we can do it. - 8 Q) Jeff Parnell, running for Congress. I'm a sponsor-supporter of Fair Tax. Have you looked at Fair Tax and what are your thoughts? - MCCAIN I've looked at it and read articles, e.g. in WSJ. We have to come up with Alternate Tax System. We all know we need a fairer, flatter tax: two tax rates with generous deductions. - 9 Q) How do you plan on getting funding without raising taxes on the little people? - MCCAIN: By restraining spending. I voted against Part D because it was an unfunded liability on you. You would be paying for my prescriptions, is that fair? Need a president who will wield the veto pen, who will make earmarkers famous. The* last bill the Pres signed had a ton in earmark spending.* I'm not opposing the projects, but the process. *People say that's not enough; but it's a heck of a start.* - 10 Q) Mother of 2 Marines-- I'd love to see someone like Gen. Jones as a VP. And what's your stance on the draft? - MCCAIN: Gen. Jones has served with honor and courage. I don't believe in the draft. I think we've got the best military, most efficient, most skilled. And it takes a long time to train the military, esp. given 'the type of fighting we're doing, which by the way, is ferocious.' And my experience in 'Nam-- it's the poorest who are hit hardest by the draft. - 11 Q) How and if we're going to address the imbalances we have vis-a-vis the rest of the world. We give out all this money and then we forgive their loans when they can't pay it, and then we have this huge debt. - MCCAIN: A lot of the money that we give doesn't leave the US. There's some that we give for great programs, e.g. to fight HIV/AIDS. But a lot of money is wasted or misspent. I will scrub every one of these programs so they do what they were designed to do. Every agency of govt will have to sit down and tell us what their budget it, their mission, their end-of-the-year goals, and if they don't do it, then we'll put them out of business by the end of the year. - 12 Q) You're the driver of the Straight Talk Express and you don't believe in pandering. But you've been accused of flip-flopping Bush tax cuts, a lot of which go to the wealthy. (1) Why do you feel like this policy is best for hard-working, middle-class Americans, (2) how do you plan to pay for it? - MCCAIN: Those tax cuts are in effect today and I don't want to raise taxes. Obama wants to raise taxes, incl. capital gains taxes that will affect 100 million Americans. - MCCAIN: The problem's not tax revenues, but spending. Obama voted for the energy bill that was a Xmas tree for corporations. I don't want to raise taxes. It's a fact that every time we've dropped taxes, there's been an increase in revenue--going back to JFK. We need to keep taxes low. - I have to go. Thanks for being here. Thanks the panel for doing a great job. Missouri is going to be a battleground. I'll be back and back and back, I'm asking for your vote. -- Sara DuBois Deputy Director - Tracking/Media Monitoring Progressive Media USA [email protected] 202-609-7681 (office) 410-967-7306 (cell) --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the "big campaign" group. To post to this group, send to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] E-mail [email protected] with questions or concerns This is a list of individuals. It is not affiliated with any group or organization. -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---