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."
Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, is struggling to attract money from some of the same industries that helped bankroll President George W. Bush’s record-setting fundraising.
Employees from the securities, construction, pharmaceutical and energy industries, who accounted for about a tenth of Bush’s money in 2004, are turned off by his record and giving more to his Democratic rivals, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
``A significant percentage of your base Republican support, whether financial or otherwise, are not fans of McCain because of various things he’s done or said or sponsored,’’ said Republican consultant Eddie Mahe, who is supporting the Arizona senator. ``Many of them don’t see Mr. McCain as being a lot better’’ than the Democrats.
Argo System oceanic temperature probes have actually shown a slight decrease in ocean temperatures over the past several years. Given that ocean temperatures are regarded as a major indicator of AGW, AGW is undeniably real in the heads of AGW alarmists.
Argo System ocean temperature probes
You express my fears exactly. I suspect his handlers are probably already saying to him, “Nuclear power? What CAN you have been thinking of?”
No problem, I certainly would not like to spoil my breakfast accompanied by the likes of you.
Logic is something that cannot be shared under any circumstances. It can only be understood and accepted.
You are simply illogical but see yourself as the opposite. This is why we find ourselves in this situation in this first place.
With out people like you , McNasty would still be a 4th place wannabe.
Fine with me. I’m all for military tribunals as opposed to letting them sit on their asses gaining weight in Gitmo.
Our only hope is that he might unleash his temper on the RATS the first time they oppose him if he is elected.
He does seem to hold a grudge quite well. We can send him pictures of Piglosi with Jane Fonda to set him off.
Bush got elected twice. His unfavorable ratings as he nears the end of this term have a lot to do with an unpopular war [McCain supports it], his support of amnesty [McCain supports it as well], and his latest swing to the Left on global warming [ditto McCain].
Mandatory caps... yeah, that’s free-market, for ya. ROFL.
He will use “the purchasing power of the United States government” to increase “incentives.”
This is just another LIBERAL big-government solution to a non-problem that will cost TRILLIONS and destroy the economy at the same time.
Milton Friedman, he ain’t.
Nixon gave us Blackmun. There ain't any worse decisions than those.
McCain's buddy Rudman gave us Souter.
Given McCain's record of who he associates with, his current utterances give me NO assurance that he will even TRY to appoint Justices conservatives would find acceptable.
Tell me again how McCain is different from any other wealth re-distribution, big government socialist out there...
Answer- (you can't)
I believe those are known as socialists.
HOGWASH. He's been at this since at least 2003, and most likely a lot longer. Here are just a few links from FR, alone.
John McCain Subscribes to Global Warming HoaxMcCain's Nose-Under-the-Tent Strategy
Fight Global Warming For $20 a Year . . .
Promising Vote on Global Warming
McCain heads overseas to observe global warming effects
McCain Sides With Leading Dems on Global Warming
Election Watch: Paul Bashes McCain for Global Warming Alliance with Gore
The Turning Point on Global Warming (McCain and Lieberman Op-Ed)
World 'at tipping point over global warming' (McCain)
McCain slams Bush on global warming, Iraq policy
Global warming is the real deal, not 'Hollywood' myth, sez McCain
Global warming bill advances in Senate
The One Environmental Issue (Huck and McCain side with dems on Gorebull Warming)
McCain Sides With Leading Dems on Global Warming (NH voter reminder ALERT)
McCain: Global warming is fact, must be addressed [hurl alert]
LAT Endorses McCain: Weak on Fences, Strong on Global Warming
McCain-Lieberman: Higher Gas Prices, Anywhere From 26 Cents To 50 Cents To 68 Cents Per Gallon:
John McCain For President? (someone who favors higher taxes, illegals and global warming)
The Best Global Warming Videos on the Internet |
Dear Senator, Many prominent scientists and climatologists are now questioning whether global warming is real or an aberration in how the data was collected and interpreted. The link between CO2 in the atmosphere and increasing global temperatures is not proven and if it has any role at all it is in combination with many other factors which are simply beyond human control. To irreparably damage the US economy pursuing the phantom of man made global warming is unconscionable
To damn bad the Republicans are incapable of delivering that message in an effective, forceful manner. Imagine what might happen if the present WH recumbent had the will ... and the ability to explain this to the American people.
Instead, both he and Mccain merely spread the stupidity that has already severely weakened our economy.
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Very well stated.
“Never in a million years would McCain or Congress punish these two nations. This is just so much bull”
All too true. But now we have the irony of huge amounts of US manufacturing having been moved to cheap labor, low environmental standard nations. If McCain, or anyone is the US government, did try to “punish” China or India, American firms with operations in those two nations might be the biggest opponents of any get tough measures to force them to assume more responsibility for their heavy polluting industries.
So in your mind McCain = Bush. Nevermind that McCain had been a relentless opponent of Bush’s faltering Iraq strategy for years. You must enjoy taking the Obamaite view of the campaign.
Define "challenge".
Keep in mind the ChiComs responded to other challenges with answers such as The Great Leap Forward & The Cultural Revolution.
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