newsobserver.com projects - Claims Dept: Dole on Hagan's oil - Comments

The oil off the coast of NC is...

KLAyToo — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:04:10 -0400

believed to be 39 miles off shore...so WHY drill 50 miles out...nearly one third of Louisiana's annual budget is paid for by leases from OIL Companies for off shore rigs...the bill passed this week does NOT allow states to receive ANY revenue from oil company leases...the house under Pelosi passed a TWO YEAR MORATORIUM on the use of Solar panels on Federal land until the "environmental impact" of sunlight can be studied...the current wind farms in the midwest are producing an extremely limited amount of electrical power because of protests keeping the high tension power lines necessary to deliver it from being built...thank goodness we have the Democrats looking out for us with their alternative energy proposals! Now that's what I call HONEST CHANGE!!!

Re: Claims Dept: Dole on Hagan's oil

hankmacknee — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:40:07 -0400

Dole seems to have much greater investments in oil companies than Hagan, but that is not the reason Hagan was against offshore drilling. Offshore drilling is a pandering political move by Republicans to cajole support from voters who do not know the truth or who chose not to believe the truth because they always faithfully support the Republican party without question. "My party, right or wrong."

Oil company supporting Republicans have denigrated alternative energy technology since 1981 when Reagan refused to continue the growing support of Caerter's alternative energy initiatives. Republicans have caused the present oil crisis by refusing to support such alternative energy efforts. Republicans also failed to increase vehicle mileage standards and, in fact, provided tax breaks to companies that bought SUVs.

Pelosi's acceptance of offshore drilling beyond 50 miles from the coast is an effort to pass a bill that would advance use of alternative energy.

In addition to Hagan for senator, we have many good people in this state running for the House of Representatives. Please vote for the Democrat from your district. We need honest change in Washington.

Re: Dole's oil

GrayJ — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:18:45 -0400

She owns stock in publicly traded oil companies? Guess what so do I, I bet you might as well. However, I do not own any stake any oil domestic oil wells I know that much.

Dole's oil

bnartist — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:46:20 -0400

Here are some of the Dole family's oil based holdings:
Devon
EnCana
Conoco Phillips
Goodrich Petroleum
Foster Wheeler
Petrohawk Energy
Occidental Pete
Plains Exploration
Rowan Companies
Sunoco
Talisman Energy
Valero Energy
Willbros Group
EXCO Resources
Cimarex Energy
XTO Energy

Re: Claims Dept: Dole on Hagan's oil

uncgop — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:44:50 -0400

They hardly qualify her for OPEC, but it absolutely negates the claim that Dole is the one in the pockets of big oil. First of all, Chip and Kay share a bank account; therefore, this influx on money, via returns of their investment, does present a conflict of interest about her views towards offshore drilling. Kay has continually presented half-truths as fact and even when corrected refuses to change her claims. Example, she is not responsible for balancing the North Carolina budget...the North Carolina Constitution is responsible. Although, she is responsible for the transfer $172 million annually from the Highway Trust Fund to assist in presenting a balanced budget for Governor Easley to sign. So now we are left with a state with decreasing road quality and a shortfall in the budget that the next administration will be forced to address.

Claims Dept: Dole on Hagan's oil

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:41:21 -0400

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole's latest TV ad attacks Democratic rival Kay Hagan for her ownership of oil and gas wells and her stance on offshore drilling.

What it says: The ad shows images of Hagan, oil wells and gas pumps. Narrator: "Fibber Kay Hagan claims she's against Big Oil, but Kay Hagan is Big Oil. Each time you buy gas, her cash register goes 'ka-ching!' Kay and her husband own multiple oil and gas wells in Kansas, Oklahoma, Indiana, West Virginia, Ohio. But Kay is against offshore drilling. Must not own any of those." Dole: "I'm Elizabeth Dole and I approve this message."

The background: According to a U.S. Senate financial disclosure form, Hagan and her husband, Chip, have stakes in five companies: Ace Midwest Partners, Psigen Sullivan Partners, Jasmine Oil Wells, Chrisjo Energy Inc. and Ergon Oil Co.

The companies operate oil and gas wells in Kansas, Oklahoma, Indiana, West Virginia and Ohio.

Though the exact amount was not disclosed, each of the investments was listed as being worth between $15,000 and $50,000. That puts the couple's overall stake somewhere between $90,000 and $300,000.

"These are Chip's," said Hagan spokeswoman Colleen Flanagan. "He has investments in domestic oil wells, which are local businesses contributing to the economy."

Both Dole and Hagan previously supported a federal moratorium on oil exploration off the North Carolina coast.

In June, Dole reversed herself, citing high gas prices. At the time, Hagan criticized her, saying the U.S. "cannot drill ourselves enough oil to solve this problem."

But a month later, Hagan also reversed herself, saying she supports a bipartisan proposal by a group of U.S. senators that would leave the decision on offshore drilling up to North Carolina and other states, promote alternative energy and encourage conservation.

Dole has said she would also support that proposal.

Is it accurate? No. Hagan's investments in oil and gas wells are substantial, but they hardly qualify her for membership in OPEC. Like Dole, she no longer supports a federal ban on offshore drilling in North Carolina and would leave the decision up to the state.

— Ryan Teague Beckwith