Posted on 12/09/2011 3:02:10 AM PST by 1010RD
The world’s largest ethanol producer is one of Newt Gingrich’s biggest donors, reports USA Today. A long-time supporter of the controversial subsidy, Newt is also the only GOP candidate to unequivocally support ethanol subsidies.
The political action committee of ethanol producer Poet and its employees — including CEO Jeff Broin — have donated $20,000 to Gingrich’s campaign. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, this makes Poet and people connected to the company the second largest donor to his campaign.
But the ties go deeper. Broin also serves as the chairman of ethanol lobbying firm Growth Energy, the same firm that hired Gingrich as a consultant in 2009. From 2009 until early 2011, Growth Energy paid Gingrich $575,000. It was one of many gigs that earned Gingrich millions in the years after he left Congress.
It’s a tradition that every four years, candidates come to Iowa to swear allegiance Iowa corn growers and the ethanol subsidy — a 45 cent tax break for each gallon of ethanol blended with gasoline. But this year is an exception because the party, under increasing influence from the Tea Party, has pivoted on the subsidy. This summer, many Republicans in Washington voted to end the $6 billion-per-year ethanol subsidy. Though it ultimately survived, subsidies have become a rallying call for fiscal conservatives looking to cut waste and Tea Partiers who don’t want government ‘picking winners and losers.” No other candidate is as uncompromisingly for the subsidy than Newt. Mitt Romney, who has been vague on the issue, most recently says that while he initially supported the subsidy, should not “go on forever” — hardly a comforting position for Iowa farmers. Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul have all come out against the subsidy.
While Iowa voters still like it, it’s no longer a popular position and one that Newt will have to justify going forward.
This was evident in an interview with Glenn Beck on Monday, where Newt sparred with his host on this issue. Beck called the subsidy ‘crony capitalism’ and a cause of ‘out-of-control spending.’ Newt’s response, a response he has given many times, was to stress that ethanol helps America become energy independent. In addition, he told Beck, government investment isn’t always bad — likely an even harder sell to the Tea Party crowd: “We’ve always believed that having a strong infrastructure and having a strong energy system are net advantages because they’ve made us richer and more powerful than any country in the world,” he told Beck. “The Erie Canal was built that way.”
Newt’s pro-ethanol view, however, hasn’t hurt him yet in Iowa or elsewhere as he continues to rise in the polls.
Newt will support anyone who gives him money.
Ethanol is one of the biggest scams going.
Please don’t trust him. Don’t be stupid.
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To me there’s a huge difference between subsidizing infrastructure projects like highways, bridges, cannals, etc. and subsidizing the making of a product.
Another reason I don’t care for Newt.
1.) Experiment sure, but not as a base fuel, as a Supplement, see no. 2
2.) Check out "Ethanol Boosting Technologies out of Cambridge Mass and their Direct Injection Supplemental system. It turns a V6 into a Diesel Torquing Monster Motor Replacement. If it truly works, it is amazing, their maybe some cost issues for now.
3.) We are using the wrong feedstock, not corn!
And don't forget anti-gun (he wanted gun owners to register their thumbprints with the government).
“He’s a tremendously inspirational person as far as rallying troops,” he said. “But as far as governing, I think he doesn’t have the discipline. He doesn’t have the capacity to control himself. And he can’t stay focused.”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/8/romney-allies-try-slow-gingrich-surge/
Newt cannot stop himself from having sex with women who aren’t his wife. If a man cannot govern his own passions how can he govern a country?
blech!
ethanol? C’mon man!
I worked with Newt many years ago prior to his political career. He was a narcissistic class “A” arrogant self serving a$$hole then, and he apparently has gotten worse. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE that they can’t see through phony lying hypocrits like Newt. I loath Mittens, but I believe that the only worse president than Newt would be 0, and I’m not 100% sure of that.
Newt should put out bumper stickers that say “Vote for Newt-the best President money can buy”.
he told Beck. “The Erie Canal was built that way.”
I’m going to have to write up vanity explaining just how bad the Erie Canal was.
Went way over budget
Had a series of management changes due to mismanagement
Took eight years
Was technologically obsolete before it was completed due to the railroad
I doubt Newt could have come up with a worse example of how government can do good with our money.
It makes one wonder what kind of history lecture Freddie Mac got for its $1.5million paid to Speaker Moonbeam.
We have the gift of the worst President in remembered history.
We have the curse of the worst GOP field in remembered history.
Our primary vetting process has given us Newt or Romney?
Romney has one, massive in my opinion, strength over Newt - marital fidelity. In my years of business I’ve never had an adulterer not also cheat in other areas of his life. Well, just one and he ended up in rehab for alcoholism and cocaine addiction. If you cannot be honest with your #1 gal, who will you be honest with?
I am really getting tired of having to choose the lesser evil.
Great book and it covers the folly of government ‘investment’ in railroads, canals, steam boats, etc. Sadly it doesn’t make it up to the 21st century and cover things like solar, wind and wave power.
That is the final nail in Newt’s coffin for me.
For the first time in my life, it looks like I’m staying home on election day.
as bad as it is (Newt makes me throw up a little in my mouth)...nothing can be as bad as the commie we have in office right now.
It is ridiculous that this is the best we can do.
But if we have no choice - then we have no choice.
The country won’t survive 4 more years of Obama.
It just might survive Newt.
Don’t stay home. Vote for your local reps. I’m not pulling the lever for newt or mittens, but I’ll be voting for my congress critter and state legislators.
I somewhat disagree. Bachmann and Perry are both relatively conservative. Perry is a bit of a hispanderer, and is not good at debate, but being slick in the public speaking arena is not what is necessarily good as a president. I'd want someone who studies the issues in depth before embarking on any policy. Ron Paul is a bit loony, but I'd still take him over either Mittens of Newt.
Unfortunately, what gets you elected is not what qualifies you for office. Look at the arrogant stupid ass we have now. I guess he does represent the large segment of the country that thinks other people owe them a living.
“but being slick in the public speaking arena is not what is necessarily good as a president.”
But, after 8 years of insane Bush hatred by the media, it is what is REQUIRED to become President.
That, or the President of NBC Entertainment writing your speeches, and directing your media coverage, like Zucker did for Obama.
Newt the ethanol whore, Newt the Freddie Mac whore, Newt will whore out for anyone who shows him the money. For the life of me I can’t figure out why so many supposed ‘conservatives’ support this slime.
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