Leadership at the Pump

On Thursday, July 10th, Davis for Congress held an event at a Sunoco Station in Greece, NY. The gas station charged consumers $1.50 a gallon for regular gasoline - the price of gasoline in the region when George W. Bush took office. Mr. Davis delivered remarks, highlighting the impact of special interest lobbyists on campaigns and Congressional policy, and why he refuses their money.

Good morning friends. Thank you for coming.

Today we are selling gasoline for one dollar and fifty cents a gallon.

This was the price of gasoline eight years ago, when George Bush took office and the Republicans turned their backs on the middle class.

I’m Jack Davis and I am running for Congress. I am an engineer and a successful businessman. I offer a lifetime of creating jobs, balancing budgets, and finding commonsense solutions to problems.

Today, I am trying to draw attention to the broken system in Washington that has given us four dollars and twenty-five cents a gallon gasoline.

America should run on gasoline – gasoline prices should not be running America.

We are purchasing almost 500 billion dollars a year of foreign oil -- and we pay for it with four dollars and twenty-five cents a gallon for gasoline.

This is destroying our middle class.

Global Business Network describes the American energy policy as: “Maximize demand, minimize supply and buy the rest from the people who hate us.” I agree but it does not have to be that way.

There is enough oil beneath America’s coast to fuel 60 million U.S. cars for 60 years.

There is enough natural gas to heat 60 million U.S. homes for 160 years.

We have to tap nuclear, solar, hydro electric, wind and geothermal sources to maximize our overall energy supply. Increasing the supply of all energy sources will decrease the price of gasoline.

I know it's hard, but we did not win World War II with instant or simple methods. We worked together and tried every way to win and we won.

That’s what we need to do now, but voters and taxpayers must first address the broken system in Washington.

When lobbyists use campaign contributions to influence American energy policy, we lose.

We deserve a Congress free from the influence of oil, gas, ethanol, and anti-nuclear lobbyists.

Those profiting from the status quo want you to be afraid: afraid of nuclear energy, afraid of drilling for more oil and afraid of alternative energy.

We don’t need to be afraid. We need to LEAD. We must consider all our energy options and we need to challenge present policies and create alternative energy sources.

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None of my ideas are particularly dramatic or difficult, but when pursued they present an agenda that can get everyone working together and reduce the cost of energy.

They aren't getting done, because energy lobbyists stand in the way.

We can develop a smart energy policy but we need to elect people with the independence, experience, knowledge and the right priorities.

The special interests and their lobbyists have entirely too much power in Washington, and they stand in the way of foreign energy independence and low cost gasoline.

Well lobbyist money does not impress me. I will not take a dime.

I am the only candidate in this race who has joined Senator Obama in rejecting PAC and lobbyist money. I have challenged Chris Lee to join me in that pledge, but he has refused.

Chris Lee won’t stand up for you now He won’t say where he stands on this issue. Then what will he do in Congress?

I believe we can be energy independent, but we must first be lobbyist independent.

I am. The other candidates are not. They have made their choice – to take special interest money.

On September 9th and November 4th, you get to make your choice. I ask you to vote for me, as someone who will fight for you.

I'm an optimist, but I know I cannot win this energy fight alone.

I ask you to join the fight to lower prices at the pump.

I won't ask you for your money, but I am asking for your vote and your ideas.

I ask you to join the fight to return our government to those who need our help.

I ask you to join the fight to bring moral integrity, honesty and ethics to Washington.

But most of all I ask you to join the fight to save American jobs, farms and industries.

Thank you for coming now. Now let’s pump some gas!