PHILADELPHIA -- In a new TV spot—this one now playing in Pennsylvania—presidential candidate Barack Obama is taking a strong stand against Big Oil, saying he "won't let them block change anymore." Senator Obama stands at a gas station and goes after ExxonMobil in particular in the ad, which starts off with old footage of cars lined up for gas at an Exxon station back in the 1970s.Click here to view the ad, andclick here to share your opinion about it.
People cried out for energy independence back then, Obama says, and "nothing's changed—except now Exxon's making $40 billion a year, and we're paying $3.50 for gas."
But he's going to do something about it, he says. Obama proposes putting a tax on the windfall profits of oil companies, and he says he'll end American dependence on foreign petroleum. He can take aggressive steps against ExxonMobil, he points out, because he hasn't accepted donations from oil companies or lobbyists.
"It's time that Washington worked for you. Not them," he says.
Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign was quick to send out an e-mail accusing Obama of making false statements in his ad, saying he has received more than $160,000 from the oil and gas companies, according to a report on NYTimes.com.
Phil Singer, deputy communications director for Clinton, put out this statement: "It's unfortunate that Senator Obama is using false advertising to explain why he can be trusted to do something about energy prices. Senator Obama says he doesn't take campaign contributions from oil companies, but the reality is that ExxonMobil, Shell and others are among his donors. I wonder if they'll fix the ad."
Bill Burton, press secretary for the Obama campaign, however, reaffirmed the ad's message, telling the New York Times, "Senator Obama is the only candidate in the race who doesn't accept campaign contributions from special interests PACs and Washington lobbyists, and that includes oil companies and oil lobbyists."
Here's the complete script for the "Nothing's Changed" ad:
"Since the gas lines of the '70's, Democrats and Republicans have talked about energy independence, but nothing's changed—except now Exxon's making $40 billion a year, and we're paying $3.50 for gas.
"I'm Barack Obama. I don't take money from oil companies or Washington lobbyists, and I won't let them block change anymore. They'll pay a penalty on windfall profits.
"We'll invest in alternative energy, create jobs and free ourselves from foreign oil.
"I approve this message because it's time that Washington worked for you. Not them."
Click hereto share your opinion on Obama's message.
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