A few months before the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama gave a speech on energy policy and his sweeping plans related to alternative fuels, efficiency programs, smart-grid technology, etc. In the subsequent Q&A, a voter asked what individuals can do to help, and the candidate recommended a few simple steps, including keeping tires inflated.
It seemed wholly unremarkable, until Republicans decided this was hilarious. The McCain campaign began waving tire gauges at campaign rallies, insisting that properly-inflated tires represented the entirety of the Obama energy plan. The Democratic candidate said at the time, "It's like these guys take pride in being ignorant."
Four years later, not much has changed.
President Obama spoke in Miami last week about energy policy, touting his "all-of-the-above" agenda, and sharing his comprehensive vision. Towards the end of the speech, he mentioned, "We're making new investments in the development of gasoline and diesel and jet fuel that's actually made from a plant-like substance -- algae."
Getty Images
Like it or not, algae is part of the energy debate.
And just like the 2008 tire gauges, Republicans have decided to ignore the other 3,000 words Obama said about energy policy, and focus exclusively on the one word they found amusing.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday attacked President Obama for his recent suggestion that still-developing technology of algae-based fuels could help bring down gas prices in the United States.
"I think the American people realize that a president who's out there talking about algae when they're having to choose between whether to buy groceries or to fill up the tank is the one who's out of touch," said McConnell.
In his speech on the Senate floor, McConnell made it seem as if the very notion of biofuel was outlandish to the point of absurdity. "As millions of Americans groaned at the rising cost of a gallon of gasoline, the president took algae as a substitute for gas," the Republican leader said, adding for emphasis, "Algae as a substitute for gas."
It appears to be part of a coordinated assault -- McConnell's nonsense coincided perfectly with a push from Charles Krauthammer, Rush Limbaugh, and others.
It's hard not to notice that these guys still take pride in being ignorant.
The obvious problem with this is that Obama's energy policy is pretty compressive. If the president had spoken exclusively about algae and biofuels, the right would have a legitimate complaint, but it was one sensible sentence in a longer, broader speech.
Some GOP pollster somewhere probably said "algae" is a funny word, so it should be the basis for a sustained attack, but that doesn't make the new rhetorical offensive any less infantile.
But there's an even more salient problem. As Michael McAuliff reported, Republicans have long believed in federally-funded research related to algae.
Republicans used to think that all of that was at least part of an energy policy. In fact, many were so convinced, they wrote letters to the Department of Energy asking the Obama administration to support algae projects.
In September, 2009, Nebraska Republican Sen. Mike Johanns lobbied for funding for the San Diego Center for Algae Biotechnology, a project that only offered the hope that such technology could be brought to his state. [...]
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), now one of Obama's fiercest alternative energy critics over the failure of solar firm Solyndra, also sought support for the project in an October 2009 letter. "Development of algae as a viable and sustainable source of transportation fuel is critical to decreasing America's dependence on imported oil, while creating new sources of meaningful green collar jobs."
Similarly, former House Republican Conference Chairman Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) argued that algae was a near-magic bullet to solve American energy problems in a July 2009 letter that supported a grant for a company called Stellarwind BioEnergy.
Oops.
Look, I don't really expect Republicans to embrace the entirety of the White House energy plan, but it's not unreasonable to think GOP policymakers can at least in engage in the debate with some semblance of maturity and/or seriousness of purpose.
This is a critically important issue. If Mitch McConnell and his cohorts could consider the policy like grown-ups, we'll all be much better off.
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Does anyone find this surprising? Not me. The GOPers have ONE goal in mind and that is making Obama a one term President.. NOTHING else MATTERS to these idiots!!!
Anyone talking about biofuel is absolutely out of touch until biofuel producers start buying republican senators!
in Other News, Republicans decry the horse- "We have ALWAYS plowed with oxen!"
And on Page Two: In 2008 the Republicans produced untold thousands of plastic tire guage replicas with slogans stamped on them to mock Obama.
Has it struck anyone else, except me and I am admittedly often Odd-Duck-Out, how much the Transvaginal Probe resembles a tire guage?
Specialty advertising firms are standing by for your call, DNC.
This is brilliant but unfortunately would be viewed (ironically enough) as infantile. I'll pay for the prototype!
"...it's not unreasonable to think GOP policymakers can at least in engage in the debate with some semblance of maturity and/or seriousness of purpose...."
Yes it is "unreasonable"! The GOP is terrified of this African-American man that they feel has "usurped" their power, they are besides themselves! If the President says left they say reich as though they're taking "reasonably"!! And the sheeple base to whom their rhetoric is aimed believe them because "they're white"!!
Wake up sheeple, you have nothing to fear except the GOP!!
"Obama's energy policy is pretty compressive."
Hm. Do you mean "comprehensive" by any chance?
Anyway, I've been trying to hold out buying a new car until biofuels become widely available, but alas, I can no longer wait.
Come on, Steve. Stop being silly. You KNOW that anything the tealiban wants and begs for, they are against once Obama likes it. Mebbe that's why Obama is being for the pipeline?
Another great way to lower energy prices would be to stop letting speculators bid the price of crude oil up to the freaking moon. Like they're doing now.
Yep and one way to do that is to stop playing in the global oil market and increase production domestically.
The GOP will always be 'number 2' in the minds and hearts of thinking Americans. On our shoes as well if we don't vote.
"but it's not unreasonable to think GOP policymakers can at least in engage in the debate with some semblance of maturity and/or seriousness of purpose."
steve, it is entirely unreasonable to think that. when in the past dozen or so years have they shown any semblance of maturity or seriousness of purpose, except perhaps for getting that kenyan/marxist/fascist/intruder out of the white house?
If you have no sensible alternative to offer, then ridicule your opponent. That's all the GOP has done since Obama's election. DRILL STUPID DRILL!
Were it 1890, these same ignoramuses would be shouting "Get a horse!" at passing motorcars. Standing athwart history, yelling stop is really not very intelligent behavior.
We are addicted to oil. Big oil is the pusher, who cares little to nothing about the devastation they encourage, despite their glossy commercials.
And what about this ethanol thing, which all presidential candidates and most Senators and Representatives worship? Can you believe that Republicans and most Democrats take corn as a substitute for gas? Corn as a substitute for gas. Unbelievable!
They truly take pride in being ignorant and reactionary.
(ethanol has been sucking more and more of our nations corn supply in recent years. This year it's about 30% of total production, as this chart from the USDA shows: http://www.ers.usda.gov/ChartsOfNote/Default.aspx?mode=detail&id=374)
Why of COURSE they support corn for gas, because Monsanto and other GMO-seed giants and Agri-business CEOs are in bed with the legislators. C'mon, now! They'd agree to grow acres and acres of biologically engineered corn under contract with farmers (who have no other choice BUT to use their products) even if the corn rotted to the ground (and sometimes it does)
For all who refuse to pay attention, Republican leaders are not going to project any rational or reasoned engagement with our duly elected President as they are unable to see the issues before us all simply because their rabid foam of hatred is stinging their eyes beyond the myopia they insist the rest of us suffer along with them!
If the above sounds like a piece of circled logic, it's because I'm speaking of the Republican party as it exists in the early 21st century!
A more linear set of descriptors would include: craven, reprehensible, or even repugnantly crazy! -Kevo
Good lord people! First you want us to accept that the world is round, then you claim it revolves around the sun? Now you tell us oil is not renewable and fossil fuels pollute? What next? Will you claim the sun is a star and there are other solar systems out there? Maybe you will try to convince us once more that Darwin was right.
You sinners need to go to Church! In the meantime we in the GOP will work hard at tearing down that wall of separation state by state.
Republicans are flailing about because they have nothing left except their hate for Obama. This is just one of many faux issues that will be raised by Republicans. This works in Dems favor because it is apparent to voters that Republicans have no plans other than to return to the old economic policies that created the economic crash. Dems can easily campaign against a Back to the Past Republican plan. The specter of GWB will hang over the Republicans.
The words "take pride in being ignorant" really sums it up very well. When you think about Santorum's "snob" comment referring to continued education, it reinforces the point. The republican party has a serious lack of vision in the direction their party is headed.
McConnell thinks Obama is out of touch?
What was his opinion on Newt's moon bases?
This may be why it is hard for Mr. Romney to run for office...he looks and sounds plastic when he speaks of things he doesn't truly believe.... It is hard to be a puppet, but one of the qualifications in being a member of the GOP is to swallow your sensibilities and knowledge and support what you are told to support, diss what you are told to diss. For members of the GOP, you have to be smart enough to dismiss things you know to be true...that is the road to success in the party. It is a kind of self mind control. This Is to some degree true of most politicians, but the republican party demands it. Look at the people choosing to not seek reelection these days...
As long as marching orders to politicians originate from well established industries, any shift in energy production/conservation/ R & D investment will not occur, I believe.
This coming from the party who, just this past December, was more than happy to see 40 bucks evaporate from the average worker's paycheck should the payroll-tax cut not be extended into 2012... REALLY!?!?!?!?
This thread reminds me of last nights coverage when the MSNBC panel was discussing the GOP strategy. It was stated that the entire GOP agenda was simply to oppose President Obama.
So it does not matter what the GOP has said previously only what the President says now, they simply oppose it.
The GOP is a wholly owned subsidiary of the corporations that is clear. The most profitable corporations are Big Oil. So how could they pass up any opportunity to attack the President and support Big Oil.
In the real world bio fuels are a possible source of energy. Here is a significant breakthrough that was in Februaries Science Daily:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202092246.htm
Biofuels are still a maybe but they are a strong possibility in our race to save the planet from ourselves. It is pretty disgusting that the GOP mainstream would cast them aside for a short term talking point.
It's always fun to watch people too stupid to know how stupid they are, publicly celebrating their ignorance. But southerners have a 300 year history of that, so it comes easily to them, why is anyone surprised that the Southern Moron White People's Party does anything else?
And my sheep of a mother still tries to argue with me that fossil fuels are renewable and plastic is biodegradable. UM, I'm sorry, but if it's not renewable or degradable in the time it takes me to use it, then it's not renewable. When we're talking about millions of years and half-lives, it's NOT renewable.
And I can hear the Republi-chorus echoing in my head, "LA LA LA LA, I can't HEAR you!"
And that's the problem. Their whole political strategy depends on us being worse off.
Yes, their inordinate pride in their ignorance is astounding. And the "only true Christian" of them all broadcasts his goal of dismantling the public school systems throughout the country. By 2016, black holes would be relegated to only the southern half of the solar system and history based in facts could be considered porn.