McCain Camp Response to Obama's North Carolina Victory Speech

Please see our campaign's response to Senator Barack Obama's Election Day remarks in North Carolina:

“With no record of bipartisan success, how is Barack Obama going to deliver the meaningful change America needs? Despite what he'd like Americans to believe, Barack Obama's pledge to raise taxes on families and his votes to support the bill that he now claims ‘is written by the oil companies for the oil companies' is not a fake controversy it's Obama's actual record.” ---Tucker Bounds, spokesman John McCain 2008

Obama Criticizes The Oil Industry, But Voted At Least Three Times For The 2005 Energy Bill:

Obama Voted For Cloture On The 2005 Energy Bill. “Motion to invoke cloture on the bill that would overhaul the nation's energy policy and provide for approximately $18 billion in energy-related tax incentives. It would require refiners to annually use 8 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2012, grant liability protection for ethanol manufacturers and phase out the use of the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether.” (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #152: Motion Agreed To 92-4: R 53-1; D 38-3; I 1-0, 6/23/05, Obama Voted Yea)

Obama Voted For The Initial Version Of The 2005 Energy Bill. “Passage of the bill that would overhaul the nation's energy policy and provide for approximately $18 billion in energy-related tax incentives. It would require refiners to use 8 billion gallons of renewable fuels per year by 2012, grant liability protection for ethanol manufacturers and phase out the use of the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether. It would require the Transportation secretary to consider several factors, including technological feasibility and economic practicability, when determining the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. It also would direct the Energy secretary to lead an interagency process to implement a national climate change strategy and authorize such sums as necessary for projects using technologies that reduce greenhouse gases.” (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #158: Passed 85-12: R 49-5; D 35-7; I 1-0, 6/28/05, Obama Voted Yea)

Obama Voted For The Final 2005 Energy Bill. (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #213: Adopted 74-26: R 49-6; D 25-19; I 0-1, 7/29/05, Obama Voted Yea)

Unlike Obama, Sen. McCain Was Critical Of The 2005 Energy Bill And Voted Against It On The Same Three Occasions:

Sen. McCain Criticized The 2005 Energy Bill's “Handouts To Big Business And Oil Companies”, Calling Them Irresponsible. Sen. McCain: “This bill does little to address the immediate energy crisis we face in this country. The handouts to big business and oil companies are irresponsible and will be disastrous for people of Arizona. I cannot in good conscience, vote to pass legislation that does not adequately address issues related to energy efficiency, security, and energy independence.” (Sen. John McCain, “McCain, Kyl Say No To Flawed Energy Bill,” Press Release, 6/28/05)

Sen. McCain Voted Against Cloture On The 2005 Energy Bill. (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #152: Motion Agreed To 92-4: R 53-1; D 38-3; I 1-0, 6/23/05, McCain Voted Nay)

Sen. McCain Voted Against The Initial Version Of The 2005 Energy Bill. (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #158: Passed 85-12: R 49-5; D 35-7; I 1-0, 6/28/05, McCain Voted Nay)

Sen. McCain Voted Against The Final Version Of The 2005 Energy Bill. (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #213: Adopted 74-26: R 49-6; D 25-19; I 0-1, 7/29/05, McCain Voted Nay)

Obama Claims He Doesn't Take Money From Oil Companies, But Non-Partisan FactCheck.Org Says Distinction Without Much Of A Practical Difference:

Obama: “I don't take money from oil companies or Washington lobbyists, and I won't let them block change anymore.” (FactCheck.Org, “Obama's Oil Spill,” Press Release, 3/31/08)

Non-Partisan FactCheck.Org: “The Obama Campaign Is Trying To Create A Distinction Without Very Much Of A Practical Difference.” “When the Clinton campaign criticized Obama's ad, calling it ‘false advertising,' Obama's campaign quickly noted that he didn't take money from political action committees or lobbyists. We'd say the Obama campaign is trying to create a distinction without very much of a practical difference.” (FactCheck.Org, “Obama's Oil Spill,” Press Release, 3/31/08)

* Obama Has Received More Than $213,000 From Employees Of Oil Companies And Their Spouses. “Obama has accepted more than $213,000 from individuals who work for companies in the oil and gas industry and their spouses.” (FactCheck.Org, “Obama's Oil Spill,” Press Release, 3/31/08)

Two Of Obama's Bundlers Are “Top Executives At Oil Companies.” “Two of Obama's bundlers are top executives at oil companies and are listed on his Web site as raising between $50,000 and $100,000 for the presidential hopeful.” (FactCheck.Org, “Obama's Oil Spill,” Press Release, 3/31/08)