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McCain Meets With T. Boone Pickens, Dodges Question About Anti-Obama Book

(CBS)
From CBS News' Ryan Corsaro:

(ASPEN, COLO.) - T. Boone Pickens was waiting for John McCain in a small conference room at the Aspen Meadows Resort, where the two, according to Pickens, were going to be "talking about the Pickens plan."

"We're going to have a good visit," he added.

Pickens, a famous oilman and one of America's richest men, is now pushing a plan to drop the United States' dependence on foreign oil and focus more on alternative energies including wind and natural gas. He said it had been two years since he had last met with McCain.

McCain entered the room alongside his campaign's senior adviser Steve Schmidt and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. and greeted Pickens, who was dressed in a green blazer and tan pants with no tie.

"You're looking trim," Pickens told McCain as they engaged in some small talk. Pickens mentioned yesterday's Census article in a newspaper about how non-Hispanic whites would no longer be the majority in 2042.

"You and I won't have to worry about that," Pickens said jokingly, referring to the age of the two men.

Schmidt then shook hands with Pickens, as well as Aspen Institute CEO Walter Isaacson, who was dressed in a polo shirt and the most casual of the four. McCain insisted Isaacson stay for the meeting.

A reporter tried to ask McCain about a new anti-Obama book, to which McCain responded cryptically "gotta keep your sense of humor."

McCain staffer Brooke Buchanan then stretched her arms in front of her boss, saying "we're not doing that," and escorted reporters to the door.

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