Funny how the Washington Post labels the column.
Anyways – once again I feel soiled bringing politics (especially presidential politics) onto this website. But those few who read know that I am passionate about the environment and energy conservation.
In a nutshell I would say McCain was wrong when he proposed no tax on gasoline during the summer. But Obama is wrong in almost every other way when it comes to energy policy. Just because I care about the environment and energy conservation does not mean I oppose energy exploration/production in any form. Coal is unfairly maligned. We need more nuclear energy. And the United States must allow oil exploration in Alaska and offshore. It might take years to see the benefits – but that is sooner than if we never start.
Charles Krauthammer (correctly) criticizes McCain for his opposition to drilling in Alaska but gives him credit for changing his position on offshore exploration and drilling.
At a time when U.S. crude oil production has fallen 40 percent in the past 25 years, 75 billion barrels of oil have been declared off-limits, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That would be enough to replace every barrel of non-North American imports (oil trade with Canada and Mexico is a net economic and national security plus) for 22 years.
That’s nearly a quarter-century of energy independence. The situation is absurd. To which John McCain is responding with a partial fix: Lift the federal ban on Outer Continental Shelf drilling, where a fifth of the off-limits stuff lies.
Read the whole thing here. You might need to register.
What is ironic is that the Candidate of Change slammed McCain for… uh… changing his position. If McCain does not go far enough with regard to oil exploration – be aware that Obama does not go anywhere at all. Obama is right for opposing a gasoline tax moratorium for the summer. Would be nice if he offered any solutions of any kind. Krauthammer also reminds us that McCain has always opposed the ethanol boondoggle – whereas Obama endorses it without reservation.
Remember that the next time you buy gas. On the way to the grocery store.
