Balta, The prime lands are not available. It is the same as saying don't do stem cell research because we have not tried everything else.
Kennedy was going to be gone by the end of the decade. A President has to be able to set longer term goals than just his administration, with or without reelection. Setting a goal of being 1000% richer is powerful if then you start planning. This is what I want and how will I get there nakes more sense than where am I going, now what is my goal. The challenge will be when energy companies come forward with ideas that require government assistance, will the President *and* congress help? And shouldn't thisd be more private sector anyways?