Speeches at 2008 Democratic National Convention: on Energy & Oil


Barack Obama: Drilling is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution

For our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East. Washington’s been talking about our oil addiction for the last 30 years, and McCain has been there for 26 of them. He’s said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars, no to investments in renewable energy. Today, we import triple the amount of oil as the day that McCain took office. Now is the time to end this addiction, and to understand that drilling is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution. As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I’ll help our auto companies re-tool, so that the fuel-efficient cars are built in America. I’ll invest 150 billion dollars over the next decade in renewable energy--an investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs that pay well and can’t ever be outsourced.
Source: Speech at 2008 Democratic National Convention Aug 27, 2008

Al Gore: We have the energy solution to solve the climate crisis

We already have everything we need to use the sun, the wind, geothermal power, conservation and efficiency to solve the climate crisis--except a president who inspires us to believe, “Yes we can.” The carbon fuels industry--big oil and coal--have a 50-year lease on the Republican Party & they are drilling it for everything it’s worth. It has spent a $500 million this year alone trying to convince the public they are solving the problem when they are in fact making it worse every single day.
Source: Speech at 2008 Democratic National Convention Aug 26, 2008

Al Gore: McCain has abandoned his support of pollution caps

We’re borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the future of human civilization. Oil company profits have soared to record levels, gasoline prices have gone through the roof and we are more dependent tha ever on fossil fuels. Many scientists predict that the entire North Polar ice cap may be completely gone during summer months in the first term of the next President. Sea levels are rising, fires are raging, storms are stronger. Military experts warn us our national security is threatened by massive waves of climate refugees destabilizing countries around the world, and scientists tell us the very web of life is endangered by unprecedented extinctions. We are facing a planetary emergency which, if not solved, would exceed anything we’ve ever experienced in the history of humankind. In spite of McCain’s past record on the climate crisis, he has allowed his party to browbeat him into abandoning his support of mandatory caps on global warming pollution.
Source: Speech at 2008 Democratic National Convention Aug 26, 2008

  • The above quotations are from Speeches at Democratic National Convention, Aug. 26th-Aug. 28th, 2008.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Energy & Oil.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Barack Obama on Energy & Oil.
  • Click here for more quotes by Joe Biden on Energy & Oil.
2016 Presidential contenders on Energy & Oil:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI) 		Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Dec 01, 2018