Capito Likens Coal to Kryptonite: ; Congresswoman Says It Could Have a Negative Effect on OPEC Oil
By JAKE STUMP
Inside * Capito accepts $524,035 from oil, gas, coal industries / 8A
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito sees so much potential in West Virginia coal that she likens the black stuff to kryptonite, a fictitious mineral mighty enough to faze Superman.
One of two new campaign ads released by Capito this week is titled, “Kryptonite.”
In this particular 30-second spot, the four-term congresswoman labels these four global leaders – Hugo Chavez, of Venezuela; Moammar Gadhafi, of Libya; Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, of Iran; and King Abdullah, of Saudi Arabia – as influential members of OPEC.
Images of each notorious figurehead are flashed on the screen, as Capito says, “You’re looking at the leaders of OPEC, many of whom are not our friends. On a whim, they could raise our gas prices or put our security at risk. And they think we’re powerless to stop them.”
Capito, R-W.Va., then states that the country can help stop dependency on foreign oil.
“Our nation’s coal reserves are larger than the combined oil reserves of the rest of the world, and I just introduced a bill that mandates a dramatic increase in the production of clean coal to liquid fuel,” Capito said. “Wanna see OPEC sweat? Then it’s time to show them the power of West Virginia coal.”
Her other ad, titled “Briefing,” also promotes West Virginia coal and attacks foreign oil.
Both ads began airing on network and cable television stations throughout the 2nd Congressional District on Monday. In November, Capito faces Democratic challenger Anne Barth.
Capito spokesman Kent Gates would not disclose the dollar amount spent on the ads, other than to say it was a “significant television buy.” He said the energy crisis and soaring gas prices remain the key talking points heading into the election.
“The ‘Kryptonite’ ad is designed to promote one of America’s important resources, which is coal,” Gates said. “It shows the power of something from West Virginia, which would also stimulate the economy.”
In the ‘Briefing’ ad, Capito states that Cuba is seeking to drill for oil just 60 miles off the Florida coast.
“They’re coming for our oil,” she says.
She then offers the solution of America doing its own drilling off shore, and by forcing oil companies to spend their profits on renewable energy sources.
The ad ends with footage of Saudis getting out of a car and her saying, “Our economy and our security is at risk.”
Gates said it’s an opportune time to air the ads, with the Democratic National Convention and Republican National Convention playing out in back-to-back weeks.
He said it’s the beginning of an aggressive advertising campaign heading into the November election.
“These ads are designed to increase public pressure on Congress to act by passing a bi-partisan plan that will make America energy independent and work to lower the cost of gasoline,” Gates said.
The Barth campaign is skeptical of Capito’s recent strides in the energy field.
“Now, we’re nearing an election and Mrs. Capito is suddenly taking an interest in energy,” said Barth spokeswoman Talley Sergent.
In May, Capito introduced the Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act that mandates the United States produce 6 billion gallons of coal-to-liquid fuel by 2022.
In July, she joined a bi-partisan working group of 11 Democrats and 11 Republicans to craft the National Conservation, Environment and Energy Independence Act. This bill seeks to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil by increasing the domestic production of oil, invests in coal and renewable energy sources, promotes conservation and provides home heating assistance to low-income families.
To view Capito’s ads online, go to www.youtube.com/user/Capito forCongress.
Contact writer Jake Stump at jakestump@dailymail.com or 304-348- 4842.
Originally published by DAILY MAIL CAPITOL REPORTER.
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