Giannoulias and General Wesley Clark: Clean Energy Critical to National Security and Economy

Press Release

Four-star General and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Wesley Clark joined U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias today in Chicago at one of the city's only electric car recharging stations to endorse Giannoulias' candidacy and highlight his forward-thinking leadership on clean energy reform that would decrease America's dependence on foreign oil, improve its national security and create the jobs of tomorrow.

"America is addicted to foreign oil. It's that simple," said Giannoulias. "We've got to stop sending our money overseas to the same regimes that fund the terrorists who are intent on doing harm to America. The easiest way to become energy independent is to transition from dirty fuels to clean fuels that we produce right here in Illinois. Congressman Kirk has been in Washington, D.C. for so long that he has been on both sides of this issue -- first voting for the major energy bill for national security reasons, and then promising to vote against it in the Senate as he begged for Sarah Palin's endorsement. He simply can not be trusted to put America's economic and national security interests above his own political ambition."

General Wesley Clark has been a vocal leader in need for clean energy development. He supports reforms because they will not only be good for the environment and the economy, but because they are imperative to protecting America's national security. This was the same reason Congressman Mark Kirk cited when he voted for energy legislation in the House last year - legislation he now opposes.

"Investing in a clean energy economy will not only be good for our environment, but it will also strengthen our national security and jumpstart our economy," said General Clark. "Congressman Kirk agreed with me when he voted for the energy bill last year, but now he stands starkly against it. That's not leadership, and it's not the type of forward-thinking advocate that Illinois voters should send to the U.S. Senate."

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