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Pickens Takes His Campaign to Capitol Hill

Billionaire's pitch for wind power backed up by big talk, big cash

By Sam Biddle,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2008 11:00 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Oilman T. Boone Pickens’ pitch for a new plan to get the US off foreign oil is drawing a great deal of attention—partially due to its rhetorical ambition, and partially due to Pickens’ willingness to walk the walk with his estimated $4 billion checkbook. Politico examines Pickens’ determination to put wind power at the center of American energy policy, and his motives.

The so-called ‘Pickens Plan’—which calls for 20% of the nation's electricity to be wind-powered in 10 years—is pushed by face-to-face meetings with Pickens, as well as a massive multimedia promotional campaign and a swelling staff of aides and lobbyists. Today he's sitting down with the House Democratic caucus—quite a realignment for a guy who funded the Swift Boat Veterans in the 2004 campaign.

Boone Pickens responds to questions during an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 in New York.
Boone Pickens responds to questions during an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 in New York.   (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Boone Pickens responds to questions on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 in New York. Pickens says he'll fund a multimedia advertising campaign to focus attention on the nation's dependence on foreign oil.
Boone Pickens responds to questions on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 in New York. Pickens says he'll fund a multimedia advertising campaign to focus attention on the nation's dependence on foreign oil.   (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Boone Pickens responds to questions on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 in New York. Pickens says he'll fund a multimedia advertising campaign to focus attention on the nation's dependence on foreign oil.
Boone Pickens responds to questions on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 in New York. Pickens says he'll fund a multimedia advertising campaign to focus attention on the nation's dependence on foreign oil.   (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
T. Boone Pickens talks with Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee Chair Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in Washington, Tuesday, July 22, 2008.
T. Boone Pickens talks with Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee Chair Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in Washington, Tuesday, July 22, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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Pickens gains Democratic allies
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Pickens changes his tune after lifetime as an oilman
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