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Obama: Time to Tap Oil Reserves

Democrat flips policy position, cites crisis

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 4, 2008 11:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama called for a release of some of the strategic petroleum reserve today, dubbing the current energy crisis “one of the most dangerous and urgent threats this nation has ever faced.” Campaigning in Michigan, Obama outlined his energy plan, which he says will create 5 million “green” jobs, and eliminate dependence on foreign oil by fostering alternative fuels.

Obama said he agreed with John McCain’s assessment that the government had spent 30 years not thinking about the long-term future of energy. “What Sen. McCain neglected to mention was that during those 30 years, he was in Washington for 26 of them,” Obama said. McCain’s camp, meanwhile, derided Obama’s policy shift. “The strategic oil reserve exists for America's national security strategy—not Barack Obama's election strategy,” a spokesman said.

Barack Obama addresses attendees of the National Urban League conference in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008.
Barack Obama addresses attendees of the National Urban League conference in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Barack Obama speaks at a town hall meeting in St. Petersburg, Fla., Friday, Aug. 1, 2008.
Barack Obama speaks at a town hall meeting in St. Petersburg, Fla., Friday, Aug. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Barack Obama pauses for a moment while speaking at the National Urban League Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008.
Barack Obama pauses for a moment while speaking at the National Urban League Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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