I agree that it has the appearance of pandering, but it is the right answer. Farmers have been pushed by the government in this direction, so they should have time to change.
Also, any other products, methods, or quantities that would make ethanol more competitive should take precedence over any government mandate.
But a principled conservative is expected to oppose ALL government subsidies, all the time, to special interests. Otherwise the principles go out the window and in comes political expediency. Also known as Flip-Flop, so richly deserved by Mitt Romney.