Posted on 05/12/2008 5:26:19 AM PDT by webschooner
PHOENIX (AP) - Republican John McCain, reaching out to both independents and green-minded social conservatives, argues that global warming is undeniable and the country must take steps to bring it under control while adhering to free-market principles.
In remarks prepared for delivery Monday at a Portland, Ore., wind turbine manufacturer, the presidential contender says expanded nuclear power must be considered to reduce carbon-fuel emissions. He also sets a goal that by 2050, the country will reduce carbon emissions to a level 60 percent below that emitted in 1990.
"For all of the last century, the profit motive basically led in one direction - toward machines, methods and industries that used oil and gas," said McCain. "Enormous good came from that industrial growth, and we are all the beneficiaries of the national prosperity it built. But there were costs we weren't counting, and often hardly noticed. And these terrible costs have added up now, in the atmosphere, in the oceans and all across the natural world."
The Arizona senator promised to challenge China and India, two economic rivals who are fueling their challenge to U.S. market supremacy with heavily polluting fuels such as coal, gas and oil.
"For all of its historical disregard of environmental standards, it cannot have escaped the attention of the Chinese regime that China's skies are dangerously polluted, its beautiful rivers are dying, its grasslands vanishing, its coastlines receding and its own glaciers melting," said McCain.
He also took a swipe at President Bush, who balked at the beginning of its term at signing the Kyoto global warming protocols. McCain said he would return to the negotiating table.
"I will not shirk the mantle of leadership that the United States bears. I will not permit eight long years to pass without serious action on serious challenges. I will not accept the same dead-end of failed diplomacy that claimed Kyoto. The United States will lead and will lead with a different approach - an approach that speaks to the interests and obligations of every nation," he said.
The language highlighted the political stakes for McCain, his party's presumed nominee. His visit to Oregon came just days after the two leading Democratic contenders, Sens. Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, campaigned in the state.
Oregon is among the expected general election battlegrounds, and its Columbia and Hood rivers are playgrounds for many outdoorsmen and environmentalists.
Global warming also stands with abortion rights and an array of social causes as important issues to the evangelicals and Christian conservatives whom McCain hopes will bolster his political base this fall.
McCain has long expressed a belief in global warming, arguing that even if he is wrong, acting as if the planet's temperature were increasing would only benefit the environment if scientists subsequently proved he was mistaken.
McCain traveled to the Pacific Northwest from Arizona, where he and his family spent Mother's Day.
In his speech, he highlighted his personal experiences viewing evidence of glacial recession. He also cited evidence of a shift in animal migration patterns.
"You would think that if the polar bears, walruses, and sea birds have the good sense to respond to new conditions and new dangers, then humanity can respond as well," he said.
McCain's major solution is to implement a cap-and-trade program on carbon-fuel emissions, like a similar program in the Clean Air Act that was used to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions that triggered acid rain.
Industries would be given emission targets, and those coming in under their limit could sell their surplus polluting capacity to companies unable to meet their target.
McCain wants the country to return to 2005 emission levels by 2012; 1990 levels by 2020; and to a level sixty percent below that by 2050.
"As never before, the market would reward any person or company that seeks to invent, improve, or acquire alternatives to carbon-based energy," he said. "More likely, however, there will be some companies that need extra emissions rights, and they will be able to buy them. The system to meet these targets and timetables will give these companies extra time to adapt - and that is good economic policy."
“This man is an idiot, and if elected, he will destroy the economy.”
I guess we will just have to let Obama have the White House for 4 years, and hope to rebuild the Republican Party for the future, if there is any.
So does Jeb Bush, apparently. Darling of conservatives, he fought drilling off Florida tooth and nail. So now the Chinese are doing it.
The major difference here being that Obama will call Ahmadinejad himself and share the nuclear secrets, where McCain will not.
Correct.
The "consequences" are inevitable with a Democrat controlled Congress following the lead of the Lunatic Left and their partners in idiocy, the Black Congressional Caucus - even with a weak sister like McCain in the White House -- so why have a "RINO" President for them to blame?
Unleash the loony Left, behind their own controlled Congress and their own moron in the White House and allow them to DEMONSTRATE the absolute inability of the Left to lead anywhere but to disaster...
Perhaps THEN, after sufficient pain, agony and despair - enough Americans will come to their senses.......MAYBE..<
This strategy appears to begin working in Europe and the U.K., perhaps we should try it.
What frikkin global warming? I’m in north Texas. This morning? 55 freaking degrees. This is May not March. My wife is going on and on about how this weather reminds her of a RUSSIAN spring.
Oh, please never ever let this man become President.
Fuel,
lubricant,
clothing,
computers,
ink,
coloring,
plastics,
paint,
tool handles,
packaging,
hats,
picture frames,
pencils,
pens,
erasers,
watches,
vacuumn cleaners,
batteries,
telephones,
trash barrels,
curtains,
wallets,
purses,
scotch tape,
duct tape,
WD40,
rain coats,
microwaves,
refrigerators,
bread makers ...
OK, that's enough ... I'm tired from sitting in my chair and just turning my head.
If I ever got my lazy @$$ up and walked around the house, I'd be here until Jesus comes.
They refer to themselves as "Crunchy Cons" (I kid you not)
You have touched on the hypocrisy of the Marxists who lead this tripe; and how it is directly linked to their desire to destroy capitalism and US GNP growth.
Climate scientists are currently saying that we are in a momentary downturn of GW. They explain this by citing “anthropogenic climate change” is flexible in its effect.
Yet, since we are cooling, they are not calling for increased production of CO2 to stave off the next ice-age.
Why not?
I suppose just as I had to do for Bush in 2000 and 2004, HOLD THE NOSE WHILE PULLING IT!
Yep Obama is better
THIS is what scares me...the potential for catastrophic damage to our country is extremely high. I fear what the dims do to our nation will be irreversible...
It’s called Lemming stampede mentality. Reserved solely for Liberals.
And what does that tell all the Koolaid drinking “Republicans” on this forum? Nothing, they are still clueless. Lemmings are moved by fear, they head for the cliffs every time a bolt of lightening hits nearby.
I'm wondering if his advisors are just as stupid or if he's too stupid to listen to them.
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