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Capital Offense

I received this familiar-sounding message from Colorado Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff the other day: "Our agenda is ambitious: to build the best ...

I received this familiar-sounding message from Colorado Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff the other day:

"Our agenda is ambitious: to build the best public schools in America, to become the renewable energy capital of the world, and to bring health care to all Coloradans."

Hmmm, where have I heard that "renewable energy capital of the world" line before? Perhaps here:

"Offering Iowans a consumer tax credit to purchase these clean burning vehicles is a perfect opportunity to help make Iowa the renewable energy capital of the world. " -Iowa Gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle, AP, 10/8/06

But maybe here:

"From ethanol to biodiesel to biomass digesters, the technology to turn our plant and animal products into energy is driving a new wave of economic development in our state. That's why I am working hard to make Michigan the alternative energy capital of the world." -Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, States News Service, 9/20/06

Or could it have been here?

"Illinois (is) a major grower of corn and soybeans, and the coal supplies have been cleared up in Illinois. And because of that, we can begin to literally be the energy capital of the U.S., of the world. -Illinois gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka, Belleville News-Democrat, 9/1/06

Or here:

"We need to focus on making Georgia the alternative- fuel capital of the world." -Georgia gubernatorial candidate Cathy Cox, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 4/28/06

Apparently, the only things more renewable than fuels are clichés.



Josh Goodman is a former staff writer for GOVERNING.