DENVER — Well, the love between Democrats and T. Boone Pickens just keeps growing stronger.
At an energy forum here at the Democratic convention Wednesday, the Texas oil tycoon took the stage with John Podesta, former Clinton administration chief of staff, and Carl Pope, head of the Sierra Club, to push his plan to cure the country’s addiction to foreign oil.
T. Boone Pickens (Photo by: Bob Spencer)
Under Pickens’ strategy, the country would transition from oil to natural gas and, eventually, to wind and solar as the primary means of generating power. Both Podesta and Pope endorsed the idea — though with some modifications — and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has expressed a great deal of interest as well.
Never mind that Pickens is the same guy who spent millions just four years ago to sink John Kerry’s run at the White House. Never mind that he spent thousands more in 2000 to keep the environmentally minded Al Gore out of the same office. Never mind that he’s given thousands to Sen. Jim Inhofe, the Oklahoma Republican who remains convinced that global warming is a dirty hoax. Never mind that he’s still pushing for unlimited offshore drilling and further exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Suddenly, Pickens claims to know what’s best for the health of the country, and partisanship is a four-letter word.
Yes, this oilman has had an epiphany, and the Democrats are eating it up.
Oh, and for all the folks who are so quick to point out that Pickens is heavily invested in both natural gas and wind: Please, don’t be so cynical.
“I’m not doing this to make money for myself,” said Pickens, whose estimated worth hovers around $3 billion.
Right, Boone. Why would we even think it?