Obama Campaign Pumps Politics at Gas Stations Across Nation

BOCA RATON, Fla. _ About 10 supporters of Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign passed out fliers and spoke to voters filling their gas tanks on the corner of Jog and Clint Moore roads in Boca Raton, Fla., Wednesday to promote the candidate’s newly unveiled energy plan.

They were joined by campaign staffers and volunteers at gas stations in eight Florida cities and 24 states vying for votes over the critical issue.

According to USA TODAY/Gallup polls taken this year, energy and gasoline prices top the list of issues for voters when asked what’s extremely important to them in choosing a candidate.

Tom Lobsinger stopped to fill his tank and grab a hot dog between appointments for his carpet and tile cleaning company. He spends about $400 a week on gas to keep his business and equipment moving.

“I feel it’s the most important,” he said. “That’s the only thing I pay for. My whole business runs off gasoline.”

Both Obama and his rival, Arizona Sen. John McCain, have multibillion-dollar, long-term plans to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil imports. Obama’s plan, debuted Monday, among other things promises $150 billion over the next 10 years to create 5 million green-collar jobs and an 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gases by 2050. It also includes a plan to provide $500 for individuals and $1,000 for families to help people pay for rising energy costs.

McCain’s plan includes building 45 nuclear power plants by 2030, which would create 700,000 jobs, and investing $2 billion annually in clean coal technology. He says his plan would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 66 percent below 2005 levels by 2050. McCain is also a supporter of off-shore drilling, an issue Obama said he could support if needed to enact a comprehensive energy policy.

Karen Dunn is set to retire in nine days, but is already pinching pennies to manage higher costs. She drives slower, plans shopping trips in advance and hunts for low gas prices. Obama’s energy policy is a big reason she’s voting for him.

“It affects people’s jobs and people’s welfare in the U.S. and being able to afford to live in our own country with a decent lifestyle,” she said.

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