By Howard Greninger
TERRE HAUTE — A Wabash Valley Republican candidate who met Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin, chosen by Sen. John McCain as his vice-presidential running mate, called the selection a good choice for energy independence.
Eighth District Congressional candidate Greg Goode, who faces incumbent U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Evansville, in the November election, met Palin during a July trip to Alaska as part of a fact-finding trip in support of more domestic oil drilling.
Goode said he paid for the trip with his own money. He joined other congressional candidates on the trip.
“I am mindful that in a recent poll, [Gov. Palin] had a high approval rating of over 80 percent of her constituents in the state of Alaska and I think that is phenomenal,” Goode said.
He said Palin supports tapping into the state’s natural resources. Palin in July announced the state of Alaska was backing a plan by ENSTAR Natural Gas Co. to build a 1,700-mile pipeline to bring natural gas to customers in South Central Alaska from Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean.
Goode visited the Prudhoe Bay while in Alaska.
“The pipeline will allow consumers to access over 4 billion cubic feet of natural gas. Gov. Palin has shown the ability to work with the legislature to move major projects. I believe the Eighth Congressional District is a conservative district and I think she has the conservative credentials. She is a strong proponent of the pro-life cause and ultimately is a fresh face,” Goode said.
“I think that is what this country is calling for and certainly people are looking for strong leadership and new ways of thinking. I think Sen. McCain has recognized that and I think they will make a strong team and I am honored to be on the ballot with them,” he said.
The November election will make history, whichever party wins, Goode said, as the nation will either have its first black president, with Sen. Barack Obama, or first female vice president with Palin.
“It is also a first for an Alaskan to be on the national ticket and if they should secure victory, Gov. Sarah Palin will have made history by breaking that glass ceiling,” Goode said.
Palin, 44, is the second woman to be picked as a vice-presidential candidate by a major U.S. political party and the first in the Republican Party. Palin is a social conservative opposing abortion and gay marriage, but signed into law a state bill giving benefits to same-sex couples.
Goode said Palin was mayor of the city of Wasilla, Alaska for six years prior to being governor, “so she has executive experience. When I met her, it became immediately clear to me that she had a clear grasp on the most important issue affecting this country and that is energy.
“She understands, as I understand, that oil is not the only answer, but is a critical first step in allowing Americans to explore for American oil, that will position the United States toward true energy independence,” Goode said.
“She recognizes that most in her state want to give Americans the green light to drill in northern Alaska and she has been a strong proponent of trying to find ways to drill for oil and natural gas, both of which are profound in the state of Alaska,” Goode said.
Alaska has a 10 billion barrel reserve of oil, Goode said.
“She [Palin] recognizes that exploring for oil and natural gas provides jobs and most of those jobs are union jobs and understands the economy development side of energy, as well as the national security side of energy,” Goode said.
“Energy affects our national security, affects our foreign policy and affects our economy. It is really putting a strain on family budgets and the budgets of businesses of all sizes,” he said.
“I think Mr. McCain has found, with Gov. Palin, someone who can really project a new vision when it comes to energy independence,” he said.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
