Pickens appearance evolves into love-fest

DENVER – This morning’s meeting of the Nevada delegation resembled a showing of The Odd Couple.

Over croissants and rolls at the Marriott hotel, the delegation was treated to a talk from oil tycoon T. Boone Pickets on wind and solar energy, the Texan’s obsession this election cycle.

But the event quickly turned into something of a love-fest between Pickens and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Searchlight).

“OK then, the chief arrives,” said Pickens, interrupting his speech upon Reid’s arrival with his entourage. “I can’t have you standing around,” said Pickens, waving Reid over to the podium where he was speaking. “Too powerful.”

Amid the spectacle, it was easy to lose sight of the fact that Pickens isn’t exactly known to be the strongest supporter of Democratic causes. In fact, Pickens, whose wealth has been said to hover in the realm of $3 billion, was a prime investor in the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, the organization that helped to bring down John Kerry’s 2004 presidential bid.

But this cycle, Pickens is playing as a nonpartisan, focusing his efforts on promoting sources of renewable energy. In July he testified before Congress on his “Pickens Plan,” an effort that has won the support of the progressive-minded environmental group Sierra Club.

“I quit politics for this campaign,” Pickens told the group. “I told Sen. Reid (that) and he said, ‘Because you told me that I believe you.’”

Apparently, Reid does.

“Well, he’s won Al Gore over and he’s won me over,” Reid told the crowd.