If there is one issue on which most Americans feel passionately, it’s energy. Paying upwards of $4 per gallon of gasoline makes an immediate and lasting impression. That is why regardless what happens with the Wall Street bailout, millions of voters will continue to make their decisions based on where the presidential candidates stand on energy issues. In great contrast to Democrat Barack Obama, Republican John McCain has shown the capacity to process new circumstances and information, and adjust his policies appropriately. As a result, McCain’s energy policies are most in tune with the real-world concerns and problems faced by most Americans when they stop at the gas station or pay their monthly utility bills.
It was Obama, remember, who said that his main objection to $4-per-gallon gasoline was not that it was too high but that the price hike came too suddenly. It is Obama who promises only “to consider” more offshore drilling for oil and natural gas. Obama also wants a new windfall profits tax on oil companies. The last time that was tried was in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter and the Democrats who ran Congress. Soon after they acted, long gas lines appeared in virtually every American community, thanks to the inevitable shortages. Obama puts his energy eggs in the basket of government support of alternative sources. He hasn’t learned that throwing tax dollars at solar, thermal, wind and other alternative approaches is an invitation to massive waste, fraud and abuse, with little promise of being able to replace a significant portion of our energy requirements any time soon.
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McCain’s energy policy – what he calls the “Lexington Project” – includes vastly increasing offshore drilling reduce gas prices and decrease America’s dependence on foreign oil. McCain understands that technology advances in recent decades have made ocean exploration and production far safer and clearner. McCain also tapped a running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who is deeply experienced in protecting the public and environmental interests in managing energy development. He promises to commit up to $2 billion annually to support advancing clean-coal technology, and he supports alternative energy initiatives, including a $300 million prize for development of battery technology to support plug-in hybrid and fully electric autos. Unlike Obama, McCain won’t force families and businesses to rely on unproven technologies that can’t yet sustain America’s economy. Finally, McCain’s Lexington Project supports nuclear energy – which produces no emissions – by building 45 new nuclear-powered power plants by 2030.
In other words, Obama will continue policies that have produced $4-per-gallon gas and America depending on foreigners for 70 percent of our oil. McCain’s common sense “all of the above” approach will slash energy costs and put America on the road to energy independence.
