Kerry Calls for

Kerry: Bush’s Iraq ‘Mismanagement’ Hikes Gas Prices
Oct 11, 3:00 PM (ET)
By Patricia Wilson

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Speaking in New Mexico, Kerry reminded voters that the state was home to the Manhattan Project that marshaled the knowledge and technology during World War II to build nuclear weapons. He called for a similar effort to push scientists to develop alternative fuels.

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Kerry: Bush’s Iraq ‘Mismanagement’ Hikes Gas Prices
Oct 11, 3:00 PM (ET)
By Patricia Wilson

SANTA FE, N.M. (Reuters) – Democratic challenger John Kerry on Monday blamed President Bush’s “gross mismanagement” of the Iraq war for rising gas prices and vowed to free the United States from dependence on Middle East oil in 10 years.

The Massachusetts senator rebuked his Republican rival, a former Texas oil man, for warming “the hearts of his powerful friends” in the industry with a $15 billion tax break while leaving average American consumers out in the cold.

“In the past four years, in nearly every decision he’s made, George W. Bush has chosen the powerful and well-connected over middle class Americans,” Kerry told supporters in Santa Fe. “When it comes to developing a real energy policy, George Bush has run out of gas.”

Speaking in New Mexico, Kerry reminded voters that the state was home to the Manhattan Project that marshaled the knowledge and technology during World War II to build nuclear weapons. He called for a similar effort to push scientists to develop alternative fuels.

In a sign of how important New Mexico is to both candidates in a neck-and-neck Nov. 2 election, Kerry quipped: “George Bush is in a state of denial. I’ll tell you what, New Mexico has five electoral votes. State of denial has none. I like my chances.”

Kerry, who was staying in Santa Fe to prepare for Wednesday night’s third and final presidential debate in Arizona, said higher gas prices had cost Americans $34 billion since Bush took office.

With the United States importing 2.5 million barrels of oil from the Middle East every day, Kerry said he would increase fuel efficiency and produce alternative and renewable sources of energy, relying on U.S. ingenuity “not the Saudi royal family.”

“Last week, gas prices hit a record $53 a barrel and one big reason is because of this president’s gross mismanagement of the war in Iraq,” he said. “I have a real energy plan to harness the full force of America’s technology and make this nation independent of Middle East oil in 10 years.”

Oil prices were at an all-time high, a gallon of gas cost nearly $2, the cost of heating the average home has gone up 91 percent and high energy costs have pushed up prices across the board, Kerry said.

“To borrow a saying, when it comes to George Bush’s record on gas prices, he can run but he can’t hide. Facts are stubborn things, Mr. President,” Kerry said.

Benchmark crude oil prices in New York hit record highs of near $54 a barrel on Monday and London Brent crude prices rose above $50 for the first time ever.

Oil prices are up about 65 percent this year, recently boosted by supply fears as Gulf of Mexico producers struggle to restore pumping that was shut down by Hurricane Ivan. U.S. average retail gasoline prices are again approaching $2 a gallon, a four-month high.

Treasury Secretary John Snow on Sunday called the record gas prices a “drag” that created “headwinds” for the economy and took disposable income away from consumers.

In large part, Bush’s energy policy seeks to expand supplies of domestic oil and natural gas, while Kerry’s focuses on developing alternative fuels and renewable sources to reduce U.S. demand for oil.

Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt said Kerry’s “obstruction” of a national energy policy made the senator’s “current political opportunism completely hypocritical.”

“John Kerry will tell people whatever he thinks they want to hear, and his multiple positions are destroying his credibility with the American people,” Schmidt said.

Original Article