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Thompson backs ethanol subsidies
AP ^ | October 3, 2007 | MIKE GLOVER

Posted on 10/03/2007 1:31:04 PM PDT by Plutarch

NEVADA, Iowa - Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson acknowledged Wednesday that he's reversed his position on ethanol subsidies, saying his new stand is based on changes in energy prices and security issues.

Thompson spoke about the issue after touring an ethanol plant, one of dozens in Iowa, which leads the nation in ethanol production. The actor and former Tennessee senator was finishing a five-day trip to the state, where precinct caucuses begin the presidential nominating process.

Meeting with reporters, Thompson acknowledged that he had switched his position on subsidies for ethanol.

"I have voted against subsidies in the Senate," said Thompson. "But I think it's a matter now of national security and we've got to avail ourselves of a lot of different resources, and I think renewable has to be a part of that picture."

Carrie Giddins, communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party, was quick to point out that Thompson opposed such subsidies as a senator....


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: Iowa
KEYWORDS: 2008; electionpresident; elections; energy; ethanol; fred; fredthompson; subsidies; thompson
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Presidential hopeful former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., speaks to the media in a warehouse at the Lincolnway Energy plant in Nevada, Iowa, on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Kevin Sanders)

1 posted on 10/03/2007 1:31:19 PM PDT by Plutarch
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To: Plutarch

Hmmm... I was going to send him some more money this afternoon. This is not a position I like to see him take.


2 posted on 10/03/2007 1:34:48 PM PDT by Ingtar (The LDS problem that Romney is facing is not his religion, but his Lacking Decisive Stands.)
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To: Plutarch

And so the pandering begins; the subsidies waste billions, continue our dependence on foreign oil imports, reduce engine efficiency, and generally help corporate farming the most.


3 posted on 10/03/2007 1:36:38 PM PDT by kingu (No, I don't use sarcasm tags - it confuses people.)
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To: Plutarch
I just read there is a glut of ethanol on the market.

There are no government subsidies in a free market.

4 posted on 10/03/2007 1:38:11 PM PDT by Abcdefg
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To: Plutarch

butanol not ethanol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butanol_fuel


5 posted on 10/03/2007 1:38:18 PM PDT by taxcontrol
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To: Ingtar

I was hoping he would be the “hydrogen economy” guy, with real plans to get replace oil as our primary fuel for transportation.

I guess not...just a pander, increased food costs, no vision.

Maybe some interesting independent will run for Prez. Thompson looks like “more of the same.”


6 posted on 10/03/2007 1:39:27 PM PDT by Shermy
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To: Ingtar

Srike One on Fred.


7 posted on 10/03/2007 1:39:47 PM PDT by dblshot
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To: Plutarch

Ethanol—the other white meat.


8 posted on 10/03/2007 1:40:40 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: Plutarch

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1905376/posts
The price of ethanol has fallen by 30% over the past few months as a glut of the corn-based fuel looms, while the price of ethanol’s primary component, corn, had risen. That is squeezing ethanol companies’ profits and pushing some ethanol plants to the brink of bankruptcy.


9 posted on 10/03/2007 1:41:55 PM PDT by Abcdefg
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To: Plutarch

I’m trying to decide between Thompson and Duncan Hunter. This campaign position takes a point away from Thompson on my scorecard.


10 posted on 10/03/2007 1:45:00 PM PDT by GBA ( God Bless America!)
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To: Plutarch

Strike one, yes...but nowhere near enough for me not to vote for the guy.

However, just to be safe I’d like to hear the entire context.


11 posted on 10/03/2007 1:45:38 PM PDT by RockinRight (Can we start calling Fred "44" now, please?)
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To: kingu

“And so the pandering begins; the subsidies waste billions, continue our dependence on foreign oil imports, reduce engine efficiency, and generally help corporate farming the most.”

It’s a shame, and there is no “loyal opposition” to challenge the dominant party - they’re in on it too. They all see a good target - ending our “addiction to oil” as Bush says, and their buddies see a way to hitch a ride and derail the project, corporate farm profits on one side, global warming/carbon credits on the Dem side.


12 posted on 10/03/2007 1:50:23 PM PDT by Shermy
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To: Plutarch

First position he has taken which I think is crap. Need to send his campaign an email suggesting a re-think. Ethanol is not a good option. Get the oil locked in the tar sands in the northern US and the shale in the Colorado green river basin. That would make much much more sense.


13 posted on 10/03/2007 1:54:51 PM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (In regards to Ron Paul, Please see http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1889318/posts)
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To: Plutarch

Is he the next flip flopper??? What is wrong with these candidates. Decide one thing and stay with it. And if you must switch you principles than at least don’t do it at the very place that the flip flopping is taking place.


14 posted on 10/03/2007 1:57:49 PM PDT by napscoordinator
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To: LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget
If you look at the actual quote (versus the reporting) you'll see he wasn't just referring to ethanol.

But I think it's a matter now of national security and we've got to avail ourselves of a lot of different resources, and I think renewable has to be a part of that picture."

I don't like the idea of subsidies at all, but I understand the need to move off of foreign independence. The subsidies are probably one way to speed up that process. The problem with subsidies, even in the short term interest (such as national defense interest as Thompson is referring here) is that people and industries are never really weaned off of them.

15 posted on 10/03/2007 1:58:22 PM PDT by mnehring (CFR, Masons, NeoCons, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield- BOO! (Halloween Costume Tagline))
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To: Ingtar

Well, the fact is, no candidate can be against ethanol subsidies and take Iowa.


16 posted on 10/03/2007 1:59:13 PM PDT by Maceman
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To: dblshot

I was worried he’d start pandering. He’s already got a gay marriage “compromise” out there...


17 posted on 10/03/2007 2:00:09 PM PDT by bolobaby
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To: Ingtar

>Jmmm...I was going to send him some more money this afternoon. This is not a position i like to see him take.<

The first of many, I fear.


18 posted on 10/03/2007 2:00:33 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( Vote for Duncan Hunter in the Primaries for America's sake!)
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To: Plutarch

Better idea—Nuclear Power.


19 posted on 10/03/2007 2:06:17 PM PDT by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: Maceman
Well, the fact is, no candidate can be against ethanol subsidies and take Iowa.

I understood that. I'm wondering if Iowa is worth the price.

20 posted on 10/03/2007 2:07:30 PM PDT by Ingtar (The LDS problem that Romney is facing is not his religion, but his Lacking Decisive Stands.)
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