T. Boone Pickens: A Democrat Isn’t Going to Win in 2016

TL;DR

Pickens criticizes Obama and predicts no Democrat win in 2016.

Transcript

I want to talk about Keystone for a moment. The last time we sat down, you said it wasn't an if, it was when with regard to Keystone. And then you just penned an op-ed really criticizing President Obama, his leadership, how he handled the situation. So give us an update. You no longer can say when in terms of Keystone. Have you question for you? As... Read More

Key Insights

• T. Boone Pickens criticizes President Obama's handling of the Keystone XL Pipeline, suggesting a lack of transparency in his decision-making process.
• Pickens expresses confidence that a Democrat will not win the 2016 presidential election, contrary to his previous predictions about Hillary Clinton's candidacy.
• He believes that Republican candidates like Rubio and Cruz have a better chance of winning compared to Trump and Carson.
• Pickens has financially supported several Republican candidates, including Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina, and Ben Carson, but not Donald Trump.
• He praises Jeb Bush's qualifications and clean political record, though he acknowledges Bush's struggle to gain traction in the polls.
• Pickens seems open to supporting any Republican candidate, but he expresses a preference for Rubio or Cruz if given the choice.
• He questions why Jeb Bush hasn't been able to effectively communicate his story despite having the credentials and resources.
• Pickens notes that winning the Iowa caucus doesn't necessarily predict the overall winner of the presidential election.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does T. Boone Pickens criticize President Obama regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline?

T. Boone Pickens criticizes President Obama for his lack of transparency concerning the Keystone XL Pipeline. Pickens argues that Obama should have been upfront about his intentions to reject the pipeline, rather than leading Americans and Canadians on for years. He believes Obama failed to show clear leadership in this matter.

Q: What is Pickens' prediction for the 2016 presidential election?

Pickens predicts that a Democrat will not win the 2016 presidential election. Despite previous doubts about Hillary Clinton's candidacy, he believes the Republican candidates have a stronger chance of winning. He expresses confidence in candidates like Rubio and Cruz, suggesting they are currently leading in the Republican race.

Q: Which Republican candidates does Pickens support financially?

T. Boone Pickens has financially supported several Republican candidates, including Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina, and Ben Carson. However, he has not supported Donald Trump financially, as Trump has been self-funding his campaign. Pickens values supporting candidates who align with his political views and have a strong chance of winning.

Q: What does Pickens think about Jeb Bush's qualifications?

Pickens praises Jeb Bush for his qualifications and clean political record, describing him as a good, honest, and patriotic man. Despite these attributes, Pickens acknowledges that Bush has struggled to gain traction in the polls. He believes Bush is well-trained and ready for the job but needs to better communicate his story to voters.

Q: Who are Pickens' preferred candidates among the Republicans?

Among the Republican candidates, Pickens expresses a preference for Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. He believes they are currently the strongest candidates in the Republican race. Although he is open to supporting any Republican nominee, he feels Rubio and Cruz have the best chance of winning the presidential election.

Q: Why hasn't Jeb Bush gained traction according to Pickens?

Pickens is unsure why Jeb Bush hasn't gained traction, despite his qualifications and resources. He suggests that Bush's inability to effectively communicate his story and connect with voters may be a factor. Pickens remains hopeful that Bush's campaign might still gain momentum before the nomination process concludes.

Q: Does Pickens believe winning the Iowa caucus is crucial?

Pickens notes that winning the Iowa caucus does not necessarily predict the overall winner of the presidential election. He suggests that while Iowa is an important early contest, it doesn't always determine the final outcome. Candidates who win Iowa may not always go on to secure their party's nomination or win the presidency.

Q: What is Pickens' view on Trump's and Carson's chances in the election?

Pickens expresses skepticism about Donald Trump and Ben Carson's chances of winning the presidential election. He acknowledges their current popularity but believes they may not have the long-term viability needed to secure the Republican nomination. Pickens seems to favor more traditional candidates like Rubio and Cruz, who he believes have a better chance.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• T. Boone Pickens criticizes President Obama's approach to the Keystone XL Pipeline, accusing him of leading on both Americans and Canadians without transparency. Pickens believes that a Democrat will not win the 2016 presidential election, despite Hillary Clinton's campaign efforts.

• Pickens discusses the Republican candidates, expressing doubts about Trump's and Carson's chances of success. He has financially supported Jeb Bush, Carly Fiorina, and Ben Carson, but not Trump, due to Trump's self-funding approach.

• While Pickens acknowledges Jeb Bush's qualifications and clean political record, he admits that Bush has struggled to gain traction. Pickens suggests that Rubio and Cruz are currently leading among Republican candidates and would prefer them over others if given the choice.