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'Sacrifice' Is Dirty Word in Energy Plans

Obama, McCain ditch candor in glossing over tough road ahead

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 18, 2008 2:39 PM CDT

(Newser) – Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama are each touting a plan to save America from the looming energy crisis, but they're providing too many sunny outlooks and not enough tough candor, Walter Shapiro writes in Salon. "The Ten Commandments of politics now began, 'Thou shalt not talk honestly to the American people about sacrifice,'" says Shapiro.

McCain is pushing detachment from foreign oil as key to his energy plan, but the Arizona senator talks little of the "wrenching transition" needed to free the US from Middle Eastern dependence. Obama offered a "gauzy" Olympic spot promising 5 million green-collar jobs with the help of global warming, but has mostly downplayed the unavoidable, painful sacrifices to come.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain speaks in Cincinnati on July 16, 2008. (AP Photo)

A tire pressure gauge distributed by the campaign of Republican John McCain was embossed with "Obama's Energy Plan." (AP Photo)

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama speaks about his energy policy Aug. 4, 2008, in Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo)

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'Sacrifice' Is Dirty Word in Energy Plans

Obama, McCain ditch candor in glossing over tough road ahead

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More Newser Stories

Should Bush Tap Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

Rainy day supply draws debate

Most Popular National Politician Today Is ...

Hillary Clinton, as 'buyer's remorse' plagues a third of the country

Obama Campaign Becomes ... a German Musical

And yes, there's a Sarah Palin character

South the Big Winner in New Census

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

McCain Gets His Fight On

Rebounds from 2008 as feisty, fired-up partisan

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'Sacrifice' Is Dirty Word in Energy Plans

Obama, McCain ditch candor in glossing over tough road ahead

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • energy • John McCain • oil • Election 2008 • sacrifice

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Should Bush Tap Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

Rainy day supply draws debate

Most Popular National Politician Today Is ...

Hillary Clinton, as 'buyer's remorse' plagues a third of the country

Obama Campaign Becomes ... a German Musical

And yes, there's a Sarah Palin character

South the Big Winner in New Census

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

McCain Gets His Fight On

Rebounds from 2008 as feisty, fired-up partisan

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?