LUGAR SAYS IT WAS BLOOD FOR OIL

That's pretty much, though not exactly, what he said...

Lugar: Oil At ‘Heart’ Of Iraq War.
May 14, 2007 (UPI)

WHO
Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., ranking member, Senate Foreign Relations committee and chairman during the Iraq war buildup.
Senator Lugar
WHAT
In remarks on the relationship between energy and foreign affairs, Lugar described the Iraq war in a way few Republican officials have dared to, saying oil was “at the heart of the matter.”

WHEN
Lugar spoke May 14.

WHERE
At the 2007 Deloitte Energy Conference in Washington, D.C.
click to enlarge
WHY
Among Lugar’s observations were:
- “immediate and forceful action” may be necessary by leaders to avert energy-related economic difficulties
- the public and the government leaders are inadequately attentive to energy interruptions such as the 2005/06 hurricanes, nuclear proliferation, changes in natural-gas supply and oil supply problems resulting from international conflicts like the Iraq war.
- President Bush has not adequately worked to change U.S. dependence on imported fuel.
- The president should set a clear energy goal and increase biofuel availability.
- Energy independence is impossible but decreasing dependence/ and more interdependence is necessary.
- Energy issues are at the core of most current foreign-relations issues.
- Presidential candidates’ energy policies are crucial to the next election.

QUOTES
Lugar, responding to a question: "Oil is at the heart of the matter in that situation[the Iraq war]…