Posted on 03/07/2015 4:08:04 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Des Moines — Only weeks after taking this key state in the presidential race by surprise, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker defended his front-runner status in Iowa by pledging to support a federal ethanol mandate, shifting his position on renewable fuels at a Republican roundup on farm issues.
The GOP governor and a lineup of other major potential presidential contenders — including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush — took the stage before hundreds of spectators and media at the Iowa Ag Summit at the state fairgrounds here.
In the moderated discussion with ethanol entrepreneur Bruce Rastetter, Walker dropped his previous flat opposition to ethanol mandates, offering a new stance that's well-suited to a state covered in cornfields. Walker signaled he now favors keeping the mandate for now and phasing it out over time — without saying over what period of time.
"I do believe it's an access issue so it's something I'm willing to go forward on renewing a (federal) Renewable Fuel Standard...so farmers going forward planting crops know what the standard is," Walker said, adding that he wanted to "get to a point where you address some of those market access issues...so you no longer need some of the subsidies."
Walker, a past critic of ethanol, acknowledged in January that he would have to spell out his position on the issue as part of his likely presidential bid. In another key issue for Iowa, Walker said that he favored drawing down federal tax credits for wind power over time.
"This is one of those where I believe it's served its purpose," Walker said of the credits. "I would support phasing that out over a period of time."(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
I thought people were waking up to the expense and waste of Ethanol, but I guess that wake up is still ongoing. Meanwhile, you have corn producers with tons of grain in their back pockets, next to lobby salaries and campaign donations.
Well that’s really disappointing. Ethanol is a waste. It is destructive. The rest of the country is forced to suffer and pay for the damage of ethanol because of pandering politicians.
Another flip flopping politician I cant trust.
Well, that’s what he says in Iowa.
What will he say in ...?
It’s like telling the American people GFYs. Walker needs the votes more than America needs to get rid of this expensive, wasteful, feel good policy that screws up our fuel.
Big Ag money pays well to keep the ethanol subsidies.
Walker is 100% GOPe. No surprise.
I thought Walker couldn’t pass the crony RINO smell test. Cruz seems like the real deal.
It looks like part of his quote has been redacted as to not give us the full context of his quote.
Scott Walker, Corn Fed Crony Capitalist. Adios, Mo’Fo’.
Me and my ruined lawn mower carburetors will vote for Cruz.
Have you seen the full quote or you are believe the MjS?
So like Pope Francis, he’s being misquoted? Please post the “correction” that you feel would give us his real thoughts.
I wish I could replace my current Mercedes diesel (1984) with a newer one, but I cannot begin to afford one.
Can anyone name a single presidential candidate of either party,currently beating the bushes in Iowa, who is NOT supporting the “ethanol mandate”?
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
LMAO!
Anybody who thinks Walker is going to throw corn subsidies under the bus in Iowa is smoking some serious weed...
What do you expect him to say...?
it’s politics after all...
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