News Palin is probably the nation's leading energy expert - McCain

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The discussion centers around John McCain's assertion that Sarah Palin possesses unparalleled knowledge about energy, which he cites as her primary national security credential. This claim raises skepticism among participants, who argue that it is exaggerated and question her qualifications compared to established experts in the field. Many express concerns about McCain's judgment in selecting Palin as a running mate, suggesting that he may be either delusional or desperate to defend her. The conversation touches on Palin's academic background, noting her BA in journalism and her varied college experience, which some interpret as a lack of depth in expertise. Participants also critique her claims about Alaska's energy production, highlighting discrepancies in her statements and suggesting that they reflect a broader pattern of misleading information from McCain and Palin. The thread ultimately questions the credibility of both candidates and the implications for their campaign.
  • #61
Math Is Hard said:
Why do people care what Matt Damon thinks? Should we also consult Angelina and Brad?

Unless he's secretly dating http://www.parishiltonmccain.com/ , I don't care what he thinks.

Hot! beats Dreamy! any day. It even beats Bubbly!
 
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  • #62
Math Is Hard said:
Why do people care what Matt Damon thinks?
Actually, it doesn't matter what Matt Damon thinks. It matters what Sarah Palin thinks, because she and McCain are asking the country to give them the responsibility of making critical decisions regarding laws of the land, governance, economic and tax policy, energy policy, national security, . . . . So far McCain and Palin have failed to provide credible reasons, and in fact quite the opposite, have attempted to deceive the populace with regard to experience.


Matt Damon is a citizen like anyone else. The difference is that he can get face time on camera to ask - what the heck is going on with McCain and his selection of Palin for VP? The media needs to be asking the hard questions, instead of reporting the McCain propaganda.

Here's a modified version of Damon's interview - Is Sarah Palin on Welfare? - by Youtube use - britethorn. He also asks some good questions.


Matt Damon has some questions he wants answered and so do I? Why does Alaska keep taking Federal Subsidies when they have enough money to give a $1,200 check to every one of its citizens?
Why is Alaska receiving Federal subsidies when they have their own revneue from oil taxes?
 
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  • #63
castlegates said:
(Maybe) is good enough for me, since it came from you. So it's not a lie as one poster suggest, and just a misuse of a word. Seems more than reasonable since the 20% corresponds with the oil and gas production percentage that this site gives.
http://www.akrdc.org/issues/oilgas/overview.html
Now maybe we should get back to her hairdoooo?
She said "produces nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of energy." That's the incorrect part.
 
  • #64
Evo said:
She said "produces nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of energy." That's the incorrect part.

So she refers to oil and gas as energy. Whats the big deal?
 
  • #65
castlegates said:
(Maybe) is good enough for me, since it came from you. So it's not a lie as one poster suggest, and just a misuse of a word. Seems more than reasonable since the 20% corresponds with the oil and gas production percentage that this site gives.
http://www.akrdc.org/issues/oilgas/overview.html
.

Here's the FactCheck analysis of that statement.
Factcheck said:
But Alaskan production accounts for only 4.8 percent of all the crude oil and petroleum products supplied to the U.S. in 2007, counting both domestic production and imports from other nations. According to EIA, the total supply was just over 5.5 billion barrels in 2007.

Furthermore, Palin said "energy," not "oil," so she was actually much further off the mark. According to EIA, Alaska actually produced 2,417.1 trillion BTUs [British Thermal Units] of energy in 2005, the last year for which full state numbers are available. That's equal to just 3.5 percent of the country's domestic energy production.

And according to EIA analyst Paul Hess, that would calculate to only "2.4 percent of the 100,368.6 trillion BTUs the U.S. consumes."
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/energetically_wrong.html
 
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  • #66
castlegates said:
So she refers to oil and gas as energy. Whats the big deal?

Since you are apparently confused about what she did say here is the quote of her statement:
Palin_to_Gibson said:
Let me speak specifically about a credential that I do bring to this table, Charlie, and that's with the energy independence that I've been working on for these years as the governor of this state that produces nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of energy, ...

Maybe it's because she slept through the Oil and Gas Commission meetings? Or is it because she doesn't understand how these figures are put together? Oh but wait a minute, she is the energy expert?
 
  • #67
Why is Alaska receiving Federal subsidies when they have their own revneue from oil taxes?
Because Alaska is a much more important state than say Ohio. It's got oil. Forget about the people for a minute, and look at it as important land.
 
  • #68
castlegates said:
So she refers to oil and gas as energy. Whats the big deal?
The fact that she was wrong and mislead the public and considering that she is campaining to be Vice-President of this country, it's an issue.

castlegates said:
Because Alaska is a much more important state than say Ohio. It's got oil. Forget about the people for a minute, and look at it as important land.
That's not an answer to the question posed.
 
  • #69
Is this wrong from this site?
"•Alaska's oil and gas industry has produced more than 16 billion barrels of oil and 6 billion cubic feet of natural gas, accounting for an average of 20 percent of the entire nation's domestic production. "
http://www.akrdc.org/issues/oilgas/overview.html
 
  • #70
castlegates said:
Is this wrong from this site?
"•Alaska's oil and gas industry has produced more than 16 billion barrels of oil and 6 billion cubic feet of natural gas, accounting for an average of 20 percent of the entire nation's domestic production. "
http://www.akrdc.org/issues/oilgas/overview.html
It's called "reading comprehension". They are referring to the domestic production of oil and gas ONLY. This has been explained to you a number of times, do you really not understand that or are you repeatedly posting this just to be annoying?
 
  • #71
castlegates said:
Because Alaska is a much more important state than say Ohio. It's got oil. Forget about the people for a minute, and look at it as important land.

Not in the election of President they are not.

But that said, balancing the state budget is surely no problem.
AlaskaResourceDevCouncil said:
The oil industry continues to be the largest source of unrestricted revenue to the state, accounting for 87 percent, or $4.6 billion, of all unrestricted state revenue in fiscal year 2007. Unrestricted general fund revenues from the oil and gas industry in fiscal year 2008 is expected to reach a record $7.76 billion.
With that extra $3 Billion this year why the heck can't they build their own bridges and give back US Taxpayer money that was supposed to go for bridges?
 
  • #72
castlegates said:
Is this wrong from this site?
"•Alaska's oil and gas industry has produced more than 16 billion barrels of oil and 6 billion cubic feet of natural gas, accounting for an average of 20 percent of the entire nation's domestic production. "
http://www.akrdc.org/issues/oilgas/overview.html
But that is 20% of domestic oil and gas production. The uses imports more than 50% of petroleum, and oil is about 38% of the total energy supply.

At best Alaska contributes to 4% of the nation's energy supply - as of 2007.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/txt/ptb0103.html

Palin is just confused by the details. :rolleyes:

So simple, yet Palin doesn't get it.
 
  • #73
I can see alaska from my house!
 
  • #74
Cyrus said:
I can see alaska from my house!
You must be an expert on polar bears. :smile:
 
  • #75
Just last weekend I drove past a sign that said "Scenic Route to Alaska". Does this mean I'm now qualified to make foreign policy decisions for Canada?

Edit: And I've been to Newfoundland, that's kind of like a foreign country, but they weren't speaking any language I could recognize.
 
  • #76
Alaska derives the bulk of its revenues from taxes on oil. If I was an Alaskan resident, I would have to wonder how my governor could be so far off on the impact of my state's oil exports on the domestic market.

If my governor didn't have a firm grasp of the magnitude of the wood products industry in my state, or of the extent to which Maine captures market share of framing lumber, paper products, etc, I would consider him woefully inadequate. I would also expect him to be able to rattle of relatively accurate numbers regarding the value of tourism, fishing, agriculture, manufacturing, etc. These businesses are the life-blood of our state, and the governor has to form regional and international alliances with leaders of other states and provinces to ensure fair trade and protect our resources and market shares.
 
  • #77
I've been thinking about divvying up $400 for Google Earth Pro as support for Governor Palin's education in geography. She'll be able to see the whole world from her desktop!
Google Earth Pro said:
Make location related decisions better and faster. Google Earth makes businesses and governments more effective and efficient across a wide range of applications. From commercial real estate site selection to homeland security disaster response, Google Earth helps make location related decisions better and faster.
 
  • #78
OAQfirst said:
I've been thinking about divvying up $400 for Google Earth Pro as support for Governor Palin's education in geography. She'll be able to see the whole world from her desktop!

Apparently if she can only see it, she's an expert.
 
  • #79
Cyrus said:
...I care what he thinks because he's exactly right.
Impeccable logic. Have fun down the rabbit hole.
 
  • #80
Astronuc said:
But that is 20% of domestic oil and gas production. The uses imports more than 50% of petroleum, and oil is about 38% of the total energy supply.

At best Alaska contributes to 4% of the nation's energy supply - as of 2007.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/txt/ptb0103.html

Palin is just confused by the details. :rolleyes:

So simple, yet Palin doesn't get it.
Then Sen Obama is confused about the number of states :rolleyes:.
 
  • #81
Evo said:
It's called "reading comprehension". They are referring to the domestic production of oil and gas ONLY. This has been explained to you a number of times, do you really not understand that or are you repeatedly posting this just to be annoying?
Palin said domestic. She blew the oil and gas part.
 
  • #82
Gokul43201 said:
Palin was Chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for 1 year.

Domenici has chaired the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for 4 years and been the ranking member on that committee for many more. Likewise, with the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. And he's been on the Appropriation subcommittee for Science (etc.) for who knows how many years. He has written a book on Nuclear Power and edited a second one, and has earned the epithet "Nuclear Renaissance Man" as arguably the strongest driver of Nuclear energy development in the US Congress. Heck, he is the only American to be awarded the French Nuclear Energy Society’s Grande Medaille de l'Academie des Sciences (their most prestigious recognition). He is one of the strongest supporters of the US National Labs, and has been calling for US energy independence for about a quarter of a century now. He has authored numerous bills on energy, science and technology and water management. He has been instrumental in virtually every major energy bill (including the 2005 Energy Policy Act that he crafted) in the last couple of decades. He is the second most senior Republican in the Senate.

You really think Palin can hold a candle to Domenici on Energy issues? You've got to be kidding!
Not on nuclear, as Ak doesn't have any commercial nuclear (yet). On oil and gas, yes. Being in charge is akin to teaching a course rather than being a student or reading the text, no matter how many times. There's nothing like actually teaching material (or being in charge) for really fundamentally learning the material. I'd like to see more to be sure, but then being up on Capital hill for a long time, where most of your time is spent raising money, does not guarantee one is an expert on anything either.
 
  • #83
mheslep said:
Palin said domestic. She blew the oil and gas part.

Face it. She was caught again gilding the lily, padding the resume, inflating her experience, magnifying her worth, exaggerating her competence and areas of expertise. No matter what you want to call it, it was a misrepresentation designed to inflate her image - DISHONESTLY.

And she is supposed to be a reformer? Washington DC is overpopulated with people like her, big noting themselves, in order to act important and valuable, instead of going about the People's work to solve problems and guide the Nation.

I'd say she has much more to worry about now with this latest Nixonesque stonewalling tactic of hers with the expanding TrooperGate investigation.
 
  • #84
mheslep said:
Being in charge is akin to teaching a course rather than being a student or reading the text, ...

Where did you get that? What course is she capable of teaching outside the context of Wasilla?

Surely you aren't going to represent that she knows anything about Nuclear Power or the technologies behind alternate power sources to hydrocarbons - in a state that has been awash in oil tax revenues.

Interesting side note: I understand that in Alaska that Todd "First Dude" Palin sits in on many of the Governor's meetings. If he is helping her understand "complex" issues such as energy, then maybe his views on Separatism and support of the AIP should be a more central issue in the campaign?
 
  • #85
mheslep said:
Impeccable logic. Have fun down the rabbit hole.

What a pointless post mhslep. Damon brought up valid questions and concerns.

Do you not believe in dinosaurs?
 
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  • #86
LowlyPion said:
Where did you get that? What course is she capable of teaching outside the context of Wasilla?
Home economics? Oh, but then she's been absent.

Maybe cosmetology.

Acting?
 
  • #87
mheslep said:
Then Sen Obama is confused about the number of states :rolleyes:.
Has the Obama campaign repeated the 57 state statement? McCain-Palin have made the Alaska:20% of US "Energy" statement on at least 3 different occasions (and maybe many more that I haven't come across). It's become a part of the campaign spiel and Palin, rather than correct it, has been an active participant in the misinformation.

mheslep said:
Not on nuclear, as Ak doesn't have any commercial nuclear (yet). On oil and gas, yes. Being in charge is akin to teaching a course rather than being a student or reading the text, no matter how many times. There's nothing like actually teaching material (or being in charge) for really fundamentally learning the material. I'd like to see more to be sure, but then being up on Capital hill for a long time, where most of your time is spent raising money, does not guarantee one is an expert on anything either.
This is astounding!

From the wiki on the Alaska Oil and ...Commission:
The structure of the membership has changed throughout the years, though it has consistently been a three-person Commission.

Under the current structure, adopted in 1979, one member must be a registered petroleum engineer, one member must be a registered geologist, and the third member must represent the public at large (and not be in either of the other categories).
I'm guessing Palin was not the first or the second. How is Palin more qualified than any of the previous or succeeding commissioners - most of whom served 4 years on the commission to Palin's 1 year? What does Palin know about Coal, Solar, Hydroelectric, Wind or Nuclear "energy".

Nevertheless, if you are seriously contending that Palin knows more about energy than Domenici then I choose not to spend any more time on this particular argument - I personally think they are not even anywhere near the same league and any comparison is ludicrous.
 
  • #88
Gokul43201 said:
...Nevertheless, if you are seriously contending that Palin knows more about energy than Domenici then I choose not to spend any more time on this particular argument.
Again, I didnt say that. OIL AND GAS.
 
  • #89
More energy talk from the nation's leading energy expert:
IBD: Some politicians and presidential candidates say we can't drill our way out of our energy problem and that drilling in ANWR will have no effect. What's your best guess of the impact on prices?

Palin: I beg to disagree with any candidate who would say we can't drill our way out of our problem or that more supply won't ultimately affect prices.

Rest of the interview here: http://www.omgili.com/newsgroups/talk/environment/C49F02AA10FDCleonard78spprimusca.html
 
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  • #90
mheslep said:
Gokul43201 said:
...Nevertheless, if you are seriously contending that Palin knows more about energy than Domenici then I choose not to spend any more time on this particular argument.
Again, I didnt say that. OIL AND GAS.
I thought we were discussing mcCain's claim that Palin was the leading energy expert.

In fact, this is what you first objected to...or so it seemed:
mheslep said:
Gokul43201 said:
...
Palin doesn't even come anywhere near the kind of energy credentials that Republicans like Don Young and Pete Domenici have. There are at least a half dozen Republicans in Congress that know way more than Palin does about energy. ...
According to who?
 

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