What do you think about the McCain/Palin ticket on the environment?

Question

McCain just chose Sarah Palin to be his VP.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080829/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_veepstakes

She's only been Alaska's governor for less than 2 years, so there's not a lot of info on her environmental positions. However, she has supported drilling heavily, including opening ANWR.

http://www.ontheissues.org/Governor/Sarah_Palin_Environment.htm

McCain has a rather poor environmental record. He received a zero score from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) for his congressional voting record on environmental issues in 2007.

It wasn’t that McCain voted against environmental protections in the 15 key votes that the LCV used to compile its annual congressional scorecard; he just didn’t bother to show up at all.

"Out of 535 Members of Congress, John McCain is the only one who chose to miss every single key environmental vote scored by the League of Conservation Voters last year. When it came time to stand up and vote for the environment, John McCain was nowhere to be found,”

http://environment.about.com/od/environmentallawpolicy/a/mccain_zero.htm

McCain also doesn't support renewable energy, and favors increased offshore drilling and nuclear as the solution to our energy problems. Here is an interview with McCain about energy and the environment:

http://www.grist.org/feature/2007/10/01/mccain/

So what do you think about this ticket with regards to environmental issues?

Also feel free to chime in with any other opinions about the ticket. For example, what do you think about the fact that McCain has criticized Obama for being too inexperienced, then chose a VP with even less experience than Obama? I found that rather odd.

Answer 1

that's quite encouraging, might put some waverers off, shows the link to the oil industry for all to see.

stark contrast to the democrats, who have a pretty well thought out energy and environment policy imo.

Answer 2

The sites I visited came me a rough sketch of where she stands.  She must have been chosen for her perceived maverick image, but her position on drilling in the ANWR, the listing of polar bears, global warming -- are all red flags.  That she used to get up before the crack of dawn to hunt with dear old dad doesn't bother me.  I'm not anti-hunting, and know many hunters who are better environmentalists than most people are.

The League of Conservation Voters had this to say:

"In addition to supporting backward-looking energy policies, Governor Palin has also opposed a crucial clean water initiative, sued the federal government for listing polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and opposed other important wildlife protection measures."

So I'm wary.  I want to dig a little deeper, but so far I don't much like what I hear.  I didn't have a favorite pick for McCain.  But I think there were more qualified candidates -- her experience is a little thin -- and a lot of candidates with more appealing environmental qualifications.

The race is on.  

Answer 3

Heck..it's obvious. McCain should be the man down there.  It's high time somebody took the bull by the horns and did the right thing, opening new drill sites, opposing eviro-n***s who want polar bears put on endangered lists (a sickeningly political gesture only) and oppose fossil fuel use.  It all makes good sense, how long do you wish to be under the control of the oil-rich Middle Eastern countries?  If you have the resources, use them.  Drilling can be done with extreme safety, without disrupting the surrounding ecosystems.  We have the same thing in Canada, actually.  The lefties want to limit oil production, ban just about everything, then raise taxes to fund their weird alternate agendas.

Does McCain actually oppose renewable energy, has he said this?  Or does he just not support spending public money on certain renewables?

Answer 4

"McCain also doesn't support renewable energy, and favors increased offshore drilling and nuclear as the solution to our energy problems."

Actually, he does support renewable, as you can see from his site:

http://www.johnmccain.com//Informing/Iss...

As for Palin, interesting choice. With Obama running, McCain had to choose someone who wasn't your typical politician, and he has done that. With Palin, the McCain campaign has to overcome some obstacles--like her lack of experience. Either she will be huge for McCain, or they'll burn.

Kind of funny--Obama, who has little experience, chooses Biden, who has a lot of experience. McCain, with a lot of experience, does the opposite.

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Edit:

"bob326 - in your link he says very little about renewables, and his voting record and comments have shown no support for renewable energy whatsoever."

I know. He doesn't say much about renewables. However, what little it does say clearly shows your statement of "McCain also doesn't support renewable energy" to be false.

Answer 5

Of course he doesn't want to be there for the vote.  That's called politically evading the subject.  He didn't vote against the environment so how can you say he's not for the environment.  But then again he didn't vote to limit companies so how can you say he won't support businesses.

I think there is one good reason why McCain wanted her, he wants to win over the women voters.  He wants to pick up the votes Clinton would have got.

If McCain becomes president you can kiss the environment in the US goodbye.  Another 4 more years of Bushenomics.

Answer 6

I believe that John McCain has a healthy concern for our environment.  I don't know what reasons he had for missing the votes that he did.... other meetings, unacceptable pork attached to the bill(s), or whatever.... but he has voted in favor of some key environmental leglation:

McCain voted in favor of an amendment in 2004 (S. Amdt. 2703), which would have required industries producing toxic waste to help pay for cleanup of toxic sites [source: U.S. Senate].

He introduced and voted yes on S. Amdt. 2979 in 2002, raising environmental protection in oil pipeline transportation [source: U.S. Senate].

McCain voted in favor of the Sustainable Fisheries Act in 1996 (S. 39), which limited commercial fishing in U.S. waters [source: U.S. Senate].

He voted in favor of a bill that increased corporate financial liability for oil spills in 1989 (S. 686) [source: U.S. Senate].

In regard to Palin, I believe that she is a sensible pick for V.P.  She has executive experience as Governor and Mayor.... albeit not a large number of years.  In comparing her with Obama, they are probably a wash in terms of experience ...... I believe that he had been serving in the Senate for about a year and a half in his first term before he began his run for President.  She is .... I believe ..... one and a half years into her first term as Governor.

Palin is not an oil patsy or a pawn of the political 'good ole boy' system as her record shows.

She .... if needed .... would, in my opinion, serve at least as well as Obama.... in the Oval Office.  Remember, the President does not govern by him/herself ..... there are a large number of 'handlers', advisors .... etc. who provide support and guidance in the conduct of the day-to-day business of our country.

Answer 7

I realize it was 15 that he didn't vote on, but to assume the reason he didn't vote was due to him not caring about the environment is shortsighted. There could be a lot of reasons why he didn't vote.

First - It could be that he knew there would be enough votes with out his vote to pass the legislation.

Second - He wasn't around to vote.

Third - There was something in the legislation he didn't like, but actually liked the main part of the legislation so instead of voting against it he abstained from voting.

Now as for McCain's choice in running mate. I think she was a good choice. I also feel it's easier to put someone with a small amount of experience into the Vice Presidential position then it is to put that person into the biggest job in our nation.

However, I'm still a bit undecided this year and I may actually abstain from voting altogether, which would be the first time I ever did that, since I became eligible to vote.

Answer 8

She has more experience than Obama.

EDIT Ken and Dana:

I'll choose a governor of a state with only 2 years experience over a two year US senator that spent most of his term campaigning, any day of the week, so no it is not a blatantly false statement, Obama may as well be the guy with the strange out of town name who moved down the street from you, and your ready to hand it all over to him.

.

.

Answer 9

Choosing her for a running mate was a brilliant political move, which should neutralize Obama's equally brilliant choice.  Obama has been criticized by McCain and the GOP for being inexperienced, so he brought a very experienced legislator on board.  McCain has been criticized for being too old, and being out of touch.  Bringing aboard Palin should ease that criticism.  She should draw some of the female vote away from Obama, particularly disenchanted Clinton supporters.

I don't think her environmental record is very clear considering her short stint as governor.  She did create a sub-committee on climate change last year, and taxed oil companies as you pointed out.

She went after a prominent member of the Alaska GOP for ethics violations which shows that she isn't one of the "Good ole boys".

Politics aside - it is a good day for diversity.  We will either have an African-American President or a female Vice-President.  I believe this election will finally break down the barriers that minorities have faced in achieving America's highest office.  I think that is a good thing for all of us.

Answer 10

sounds awesome!

1$ gas baby!!!!! woo!!!!

hope fully he will dump money into research dis-proving global warming.

Answer 11

The last thing we need is another Vice President who's in the pocket of an oil company.  We've had enough of that in the past eight years and look where it's gotten us.  I was already planning to vote for Obama and now I'm even more certain.

Answer 12

It's a great choice. She isn't in the pockets of 'big oil' companies either. I hate that term, most idiots who use it only show their innate ignorance. If I put a muddy postage stamp on a football field I defy any environmentalist to find it. We're talking about a tiny sliver of the coastal plain for oil and gas exploration and drilling in ANWR. Less than 2000 acres of land. That's smaller than the foot print of LAX. Alaskans are in favor of drilling there and they stand the most to lose. You greenites need to get an education before you open your mouths about these issues.

Answer 13

Im a McCain supporter, and  I am so sorry that he has picked Gov. Palin for his VP, I think it has just cost him the Presidency!

Answer 14

I'm a McCain supporter and I think it cost Obama the presidency.  I should say that I am a reluctant McCain supporter but I must say he did well with Palin. They will be responsible stewards of the environment.

Judging by the answers, you would think it is us against the oil companies.  This is such a juvenile and ignorant view.  Oil is a resource that has aided mankind in so many ways.  Those with enough money and food can worry about it and fret about it and pretend that they are not in the back pocket of oil, whatever that means, but I dare say their back pocket is probably made of oil or oil products.  It is in everything.  Corporations and oil companies are not the enemy.  The education system has really failed us by producing these ignoramouses.

There is a reason this country doesn't elect too many senators.  First off they are generally pompous and full of themselves (i.e Obama and Biden) and don't have any executive experience.  That is why Obama has far less experience than Sara Palin.

Answer 15

Tomcat - What's with the blatantly false assertions?  She's 44, has only 2 years state government level experience as Governor, before that city counsel and mayor of a town with only about 5,000 people.  No National experience, no foreign experience. That doesn't mean she's not a quality candidate, it just means that you're making a blatantly false statement.

I actually think she's a good pick for McCain (both for political effect and because I think she's better than the other top-picks he was considering), but I wonder how they'll respond to the inevitable lack of experience charges (especially given their lack-of-experience charges toward Obama). With McCain possibly being the 2nd oldest president inaugurated, the potential of his VP having to take over is significant.

Answer 16

I don't consider environmental issues when choosing a President. Congress FUNDS all Federal spending-- look THERE for who supports environment issues--

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf...

The President only proposes a budget-- CONGRESS funds the budget usually after hundreds of amendments and pet projects and other pork are added to the spending Bill.

Answer 17

I would be a lot happier if McCain dropped the "McCain/Lieberman" fiasco. Personally, I was having a hard time voting for McCain, even though I vote Rep. Many of his positions are way off base. His "Global Warming Carbon Credit" will be a complete disaster. I am hoping they kill the bill.

THANK GOD FOR PALIN. She will be the reason I vote republican. She has an awesome understanding of the energy market and a good environmental mind (as I see it). She wants to drill in our nation and use our resources. Why the h**l not? There is NO good reaosn not to be using our resources. I am glad she is willing to stand up to the socialist, Anti-American left.

GO PALIN/McCain! Or just, GO PALIN!