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McCain's Energy Record Reveals Muddled Mess

Some see pragmatism, others inconsistency in GOP candidate's votes

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 1, 2008 4:38 PM CDT

(Newser) – John McCain can’t seem to settle on a comprehensible energy policy, Noam Levey writes in the Los Angeles Times, noting that the Republican has been on both sides of issues from oil drilling to ethanol. He favors fuel-efficiency standards while rejecting renewable-sources guidelines and rejects tax breaks on renewables while supporting nuclear subsidies. “There is a very sporadic pattern here,” said one environmentalist.

The Arizona senator has “swerved from one position to another over the years, taking often contradictory stances on the government's role in energy policy,” Levey concludes. His record “shows little of the clear direction he says would come from a McCain White House.”

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., turns and waves from the doorway of his campaign jet before departing Philadelphia, Tuesday, July 1, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., points to a supporter at the opening of a town hall meeting. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

A man sits inside a truck as Republican presidential candidate John McCain, foreground, speaks at a campaign town hall style meeting in Pipersville, Penn., yesterday. (AP Photo)

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McCain's Energy Record Reveals Muddled Mess

Some see pragmatism, others inconsistency in GOP candidate's votes

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John McCain • ethanol • renewable energy • tax breaks • energy markets • nuclear fuel • contradiction

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Obama's Tax Plan Is 'Dumb... Painful': McCain

Biden calls for tax hike on rich, urging 'it's time to be patriotic'

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McCain says tax cuts for wealthy will fuel economy; Obama sees taxing as means to an end

McCain Strikes Out on Renewable Energy

Candidate features wind turbines in ads but again skips vital energy vote

Ripping Media on One Hand, Mac Says It's 'Fun to Watch'

Even as campaign blasts press fawning over Obama, candidate demurs with Couric

GOP Going 'Green,' With Oil on the Side

Party's newly crafted policy backs renewable energy—plus drilling

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McCain's Energy Record Reveals Muddled Mess

Some see pragmatism, others inconsistency in GOP candidate's votes

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

John McCain • ethanol • renewable energy • tax breaks • energy markets • nuclear fuel • contradiction

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Obama's Tax Plan Is 'Dumb... Painful': McCain

Biden calls for tax hike on rich, urging 'it's time to be patriotic'

Candidates Differ Most Widely on Wealthy

McCain says tax cuts for wealthy will fuel economy; Obama sees taxing as means to an end

McCain Strikes Out on Renewable Energy

Candidate features wind turbines in ads but again skips vital energy vote

Ripping Media on One Hand, Mac Says It's 'Fun to Watch'

Even as campaign blasts press fawning over Obama, candidate demurs with Couric

GOP Going 'Green,' With Oil on the Side

Party's newly crafted policy backs renewable energy—plus drilling

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?