Follow The Money

In a recent press release, a group called the "Tennessee Center for Policy Research" claims Al Gore's energy use is up 10% over the last year, even though he's made improvements to the property to improve energy efficiency. The obvious point of the press release is to try and paint Al Gore as a hypocrite and a fraud. How do I know? Because the group's president, Drew Johnson, says in the press release:

"Al Gore is a hypocrite and a fraud"

Drew Johnson, it should be noted, came up from the American Enterprise Institute, a D.C.-based "think tank" rolling in Exxon cash. It might also be noted that his "Tennessee Center for Policy Research" is a non-profit organization, but does not disclose the source of its funding on its website. So Mr. Johnson may be able to claim some authority when it comes to identifying hypocrites and frauds.

Let's see how far into the press release we have to read before we pick up some bamboozlement:

NASHVILLE - In the year since Al Gore took steps to make his home more energy-efficient...

Stop there. Gore's renovations weren't completed until November.

On a side note: it may seem like a trivial matter, but Gore's energy use is not up 10%. It's down 40%.