Most politicians have been swept up by the notion the U.S. could supply a good portion of its energy needs from Midwest farms, instead of from unfriendly regimes in the Middle East and elsewhere. In December, Congress overwhelmingly passed, and President Bush signed, a new energy bill dramatically raising renewable fuel mandates. But that consensus will be open to debate in the presidential election with John McCain as the GOP standard bearer. He’s one of the few politicians who oppose handouts to the ethanol industry.