Rep. Blunt's $12.5 Billion Big Oil Bailout

Contact:

Linden Zakula

314-367-2004

Robin Carnahan Campaign Launches Online Video and Petition to Fight Congressman "Bailout" Blunt's $12.5 Billion Big Oil Bailout

Bailout Blunt says making BP pay for their own mess is "overreacting" and that "it doesn't really matter" who pays for the clean up

Congressman Blunt continues 14 year record of looking out for Big Oil

St. Louis, MO - Today Robin Carnahan's campaign launched an online video and petition to fight Congressman Blunt's $12.5 billion Big Oil bailout that would cost Missouri families $268 million alone.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO: robincarnahan.com/nobigoilbailout

The petition calls on Congressman Blunt to end his record of corporate bailouts and say No Bailout for Big Oil, stating "I am signing this pledge to say enough is enough. Congressman Blunt, you work for Missouri - not Big Oil, Wall Street or their lobbyists. Stop the bailouts. Stop putting corporate special interests first, and stop sticking it to middle-class families."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION: robincarnahan.com/nobigoilbailout

On Tuesday, Congressman Blunt "cautioned against overreacting" or raising penalties for companies that spill oil, while addressing the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association. Congressman Blunt instead favors sticking Missouri families with the bill like he did when he orchestrated the $700 billion Wall Street bailout after they were deregulated and made a mess of the economy. Blunt has even stated that "it doesn't really matter" who pays for the BP oil spill clean-up. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/18/10; Blunt Remarks at RCGA, 5/17/10]

Last week, the Kansas City Star outed Congressman Blunt for supporting the Big Oil bailout and on Tuesday noted that Blunt's unwillingness to come clean with voters has been "puzzling." [Kansas City Star, 5/18/10]

Robin has been an outspoken opponent of any taxpayer bailout for big oil and her campaign launched the online petition because she believes BP should have to pay the full cleanup costs - estimated to be at least $12.5 billion for their mess in the Gulf Coast. Congressman Blunt, however, is continuing his 14-year record of protecting Big Oil as he fights to limit how much they have to pay for the cleanup. Congressman Blunt has taken over $1 million from Big Oil and energy interests. [Center for Responsive Politics]

Recently, Robin made it clear that BP needs to be held responsible for the cost of the clean up in the Gulf Coast so that Missouri taxpayers don't get stuck with the bill:

"But we can't let these folks, whether it's on Wall Street or these big oil companies make these mistakes, fail to keep us safe, and then expect us to pay for the clean-up," said Robin. [KMBZ 05/05/10]

Robin is running for the U.S. Senate Seat currently held by U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) who is retiring. She is currently in her second term as Missouri Secretary of State where she has worked across party lines to protect consumers by standing up to big institutions and getting more than $10 billion returned to wronged investors, and to cut red tape for small businesses so they can save resources and create more jobs. A breast cancer survivor with a background in business and law, Robin also still oversees her family's cattle farm in Rolla, MO. For more information on Robin's background and values, visit: www.RobinCarnahan.com

###