stem cell position distorted

Any ad that features the mom of a sick child is sure to pull a few heartstrings. But this radio spot is flat wrong when it says that "John McCain has stood in the way – he's opposed stem cell research." Technically, the carefully-worded phrase is correct: McCain has opposed embryonic stem cell research. But not since 2001, when he became convinced, he says, that the potential good it could do outweighed other considerations. And although his vice presidential candidate feels otherwise, and the Republican Party platform doesn't support his views either, McCain still opposes the Bush administration's restrictions on stem-cell research. Our conclusion: The Obama-Biden ad seriously misstates McCain's position. factCheck.org. A misrepresentation of McCains current stem cell position, and a position that I agree with McCain on.Any ad that features the mom of a sick child is sure to pull a few heartstrings. But this radio spot is flat wrong when it says that "John McCain has stood in the way – he's opposed stem cell research." Technically, the carefully-worded phrase is correct: McCain has opposed embryonic stem cell research. But not since 2001, when he became convinced, he says, that the potential good it could do outweighed other considerations. And although his vice presidential candidate feels otherwise, and the Republican Party platform doesn't support his views either, McCain still opposes the Bush administration's restrictions on stem-cell research. Our conclusion: The Obama-Biden ad seriously misstates McCain's position. factCheck.org. A misrepresentation of McCains current stem cell position, and a position that I agree with McCain on.

McCain commentary

What are McCains deeds, really? He has admitted to voting with Bush on at least 90% of his votes. That is not a maverick, much more like a conservative Republican/Bush party-line follower. He, like most Republicans for the last century, has been for small government and deregulation all along that allowed the rich to loot the economy to the point of us being in an international crisis! I believe he is a decent man and probably honest, altho I have my doubts about the honesty of ANY politician, in any party, these days. I am concerned about his ties with Big Oil. Big Oil is not going to push for energy alternatives that might put them out of business and probably explains why McCain has no real energy plan, other than more drilling and nuclear power, both of which will be of NO benefit for the next 8-10 years. Thats how long it will take for either one of those options to become viable and productive. In the meantime I refuse to just turn over my paycheck to the Big Oil companies and pay whatever they want. We CANNOT drill our way out of this energy crisis. The Bush policies that he has followed so closely obviously hasnt worked. We need a new direction, a new game plan.

environmental candidates

Dear EarthTalk: What are the major environmental issues that our next president, be it Obama or McCain, will have to confront?


-- Melinda Barnes, via e-mail

Global warming is unquestionably the most pressing environmental issue facing whoever ends up in the White House in January 2009. Not only does climate change impact—and in most cases exacerbate—other environmental problems, it has even wider implications for the economy and society at large. Luckily for all of us, both Barack Obama and John McCain are committed to tackling climate change, although their proposed approaches differ in significant ways.

The non-profit League of Conservation Voters (LCV), America’s leading voice for environmental advocacy within electoral politics, would prefer to see Obama elected president given his environmental track record and plans for the future. While both candidates favor instituting a mandatory “cap-and-trade” program (whereby the federal government allows polluters to trade for the right to emit a reduced overall amount of greenhouse gases), Obama is for more strident cuts. He would like to see the U.S. reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by some 80 percent by 2050, while McCain supports only cutting back by 65 percent. Both candidates have authored legislation in the Senate designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, although no such bills have come close to passing.

Even though McCain is by far the most forward-thinking of the original Republican presidential contenders on global warming and the need to take action, LCV still gives him poor marks, only a 24 rating (out of 100) lifetime and zero for 2007. LCV says that McCain missed all 15 critical environmental votes last year and that he “repeatedly clings to outdated policies and flip-flops on core environmental issues.” By comparison, Obama earned a score of 100 in 2007 and has a lifetime LCV rating of 87.

One area where environmentalists take issue with McCain is his support for expanding the role of nuclear power in cutting fossil fuel use. Obama would rather bolster alternative energy sources like wind and solar power that do not have the nasty side effect of radioactive waste in need of storage and disposal. (McCain also supports the development of new renewables, but not to the extent that Obama is willing to commit).

Some of the other hot button environmental issues sure to occupy the next president’s time include: how to best protect the nation’s water resources and wetlands; whether to allow more drilling for oil and natural gas both offshore and within Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; whether to reinstate the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a Clinton-era law (subsequently overturned by the Bush administration) calling for protection of some 58 million acres of public land from logging; how to meet U.S. commitments on existing environmental laws in international trade agreements; and whether to bring back the so-called “polluter pays” part of the government’s “Superfund” toxic waste clean-up program.

While Obama is clearly the greener candidate on most of these issues, the fact that McCain even takes them seriously—and is committed to any greenhouse gas reductions whatsoever—is a plus for environmental advocates exasperated by eight years of green naysaying by the Bush administration.

CONTACTS: Obama ’08, www.barackobama.com; McCain for President, www.johnmccain.com; League of Conservation Voters, www.lcv.org.

comments

As was pointed out last night, with McCains plan you WILL BE taxed when you go to use those health care benefits. THAT is revolutionary and unheard of in history. Never before has a healthcare plan taxed the users when it is utilized. He gives it to you with one hand, and takes it back with the other. Obama wants to start with the insuring of kids because they ARE the future and are relatively cheap to insure. If they get good healthcare when they are young it will reduce the expenses as they get older because any potential problems will have been addressed early, like asthma. It is preventative medicine, the best kind. Mandatory insurance puts everyone into a big pool and allows preventative medicine because there will be enough money to make it happen. Otherwise, people will not join until they are very sick, and expensive to treat. You can still choose your own doctors and plans, if you are happy with them. I respect John McCains service to our country but somebody who votes with Bush 90% of the time can hardly be described as a maverick. Sounds like more of the same to me.

oily advice

McCain has FIVE Big Oil company executives advising him on energy policy! Check it out. Havent we been robbed by Big Oil enough?

campaign pros and cons

Isnt it possible that Obama was simply acknowledging some points that he and McCain agree on? There ARE a few. I like McCains stance on Iraq, as I dont think we can leave until the country is stable and able to defend itself. With the apparent success of the surge that day may be getting closer as we speak. I dont think I could stand another term of Bush economics, where the oil companies and millionaires get tax breaks with the outside possibility that some may eventually trickle down to the average guy on the street. I like Obamas alternative energy plan as we cannot just drill our way out of this energy crisis. I also like his plan to rebuild our nations aging infrastructure, creating good jobs for AMERICANS that CANT be shipped overseas. I like the Pickens Plan of using wind power across Texas and the Midwest to create clean power and save our natural gas for our vehicles. For me, the jury is still out on Obamas wife and Rev Wright. Those are, however, personalities, and dont detract from Obamas ideas. I could live with a 16-month pullout of Iraq IF the ground commanders approve AND we leave a substantial contingency force AND we send 12-15,000 troops to Afghanistan, where they are badly needed. Palin is too conservative for me altho I am glad to see the ladies getting a shot at high office.