Hands down, Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams delivered the best speech of the Republican Party of Texas State Convention. I remember being struck at the time by his ease of manner as well as his ability to connect with an audience. As I was listening to his speech again via his website www.williamsfortexas.com I was struck by the substance of his speech. In his speech he outlined a comprehensive, logical answer to the energy problem.

"Well, I don't believe that climate change is just an issue that's convenient to bring up during a campaign. I believe it's one of the greatest moral challenges of our generation. That's why I've fought successfully in the Senate to increase our investment in renewable fuels. That's why I reached across the aisle to come up with a plan to raise our fuel standards… And I didn't just give a speech about it in front of some environmental audience in California. I went to Detroit, I stood in front of a group of automakers, and I told them that when I am president, there will be no more excuses — we will help them retool their factories, but they will have to make cars that use less oil.”

— Barack Obama, Speech in Des Moines, IA, October 14, 2007

"With the price of crude oil above $130 a barrel, and the price of gasoline nearing $4 a gallon, we need leadership that stands up for the economic interests of American families by demanding greater exploration of America’s energy sources.

I have fought for energy exploration, the development of clean energy technologies, common sense water protection and pipeline safety measures and self-imposed spending caps at the Railroad Commission.

I have advocated for fiscal conservatism even when it cost me money… such as when I turned down a pay raise from the Texas Legislature, not once, but twice.

But Americans will not fall for identity politics over good ideas or slogans in the absence of substance or for promises and platitudes that are the wrong policy prescriptions.

Change is just a slogan when the ideas are the Democrat leftovers of the last 50 years.

When it is the same menu as McGovern, Carter and Mondale: higher taxes, bigger government and a steady diet of class warfare and expanded welfare.

We must remember what their message of hope and change is all about: their hope is in government, and the change they seek is in your pocket."

We do not settle for the proposition that a healthy environment has to come at the expense of a healthy economy.

Our hope resides in unleashing the entrepreneurial spirit to address both challenges."
Hon. Michael Williams, Texas Railroad Commissioner speaking at the Republican Party of Texas State Convention 2008

Compare the two speeches: Michael Williams offers substantive ideas as opposed to Barack Obama's vacuous promises for 2030 or 2050. Who is more qualified to speak on this issue, a U.S. Senator or a Texas Railroad Commissioner who has been dealing with these issues on a day to day basis for the last 8 years? My vote is Michael Williams, but not just for Railroad Commissioner but for Governor. When are you running Michael? We need this kind of leadership in the Governor's mansion.