A Boone to pick
In recent weeks, Texas oil magnate T. Boone Pickens has met privately with both Barack Obama and John McCain. He said that, out of respect, as well as a desire to make them grasp the enormity of their task ahead, he took pains to refer to each as “the commander-in-chief.”
“Both had the same reaction when I said I was addressing the commander-in-chief,” said Pickens. “They both got a big smile on their face.”
The 80-year-old Pickens addressed a sold-out crowd at a National Press Club luncheon on Monday on the topic of his “Pickens Plan” for energy independence, on which he’s spending $58 million of his own money to promote. “Surely you’ve seen my ads,” he said. “Of course, I’ve paid for them, so it’d be heartbreaking if only half of you raised your hands.”
More folksy wit from Pickens:
-On his desire to act quickly: “I’m too old for [research and development]. At my age, you don’t buy green bananas.”
-On his passion for the cause: “My wife has been treated for cauliflower ear for having to listen to me.”
-On Chevy’s forthcoming electric car: “Four of us could carry that Volt across the room.”
-On his new, unlikely friends: “Would you believe it? The Sierra Club and Boone Pickens are now bosom buddies.”
Pickens, a staunch Republican, also took pains to emphasize that he’s remaining completely neutral (at least as far as money or endorsements) during this election cycle. “Are you ready to give that D[emocrat] lever a try?” asked host and Press Club President Sylvia Smith. Pickens shook his head no, to much chuckling from the crowd. (Photo: Carrie Devorah)
