This is better than the usual schtick we get from him.  He tells why McCain is wrong at least.

But still the same old Friedman.

Better to talk about it this way Tom.

Demand reduction.  Sure renewable energy technology is key, but at first it is all about recognizing that only demand reduction can save our economy.  Without that rescue from stagflation produced by soaring oil prices, we won't have the capital to develop the new technology.

We need a plan somewhat like Obama's.  He is going in the right direction by proposing an incremental 4% per year increase in mileage standards.

But more is needed, we need an actual incremental oil demand reduction, say 4% per year, 1% per quarter.  It's easy to measure, and at first it is easy to attain. 

Simple fuel economy measures, like tire inflation and engine tuneups and consumer moves towards higher mileage cars, bikes, and mass transit would get us through the first year or two.  This is the sort of thing that can be done with encouragement, like FDR used during WW2. 

Patriotic sacrifice, the president making it clear that these savings are necessary to revive the economy and keep our leadership position, financially, politically, and militarilly in the world.  Obama is the kind of leader who can inspire that.

As the currency strengthens, inflation wanes, and investor, consumer, and business confidence is restored by this steady progress, bolstered by the feeling of participation and collective success through sacrifice, the capital will be there for the next phase.

As oil war ends, finally, with the realization that we are now getting control of the oil supply/demand equation, by steadily reducing demand; capital will become available for investment in a shift to plugin hybrids, freight rail instead of long haul trucking, and ground source heating/cooling.

This will be the source of years of gradual oil demand reduction.  And as manufacturing and job and tax base are restored, the boom will power itself, with continuing innovation, to finally eliminate oil imports completely after 10 to 15 years.

The foreign policy and trade leverage gained will allow our leaders to spread peace worldwide by facing down dictatorships economically, with negotiation, techniological aid, and deomcratization of politics and freedom of markets through example.  Rather than the vain attempt to use military force.

This is the sort of simple plan a leader like Obama can initiate.  And the huge fledgling manufacturing and resource market economies of this world, like China, Russia, and India,now under kleptocratic rule, will see that our way is better and emulate it voluntarilly.

Then along with help from wind, solar, wave, ocean current, hydro, and biogas from waste energy systems powering the new energy economy through smart grids, GHG climate disaster will be only a bad dream that never really happened.