republican John MCCAIN

• Would launch a $300-million award for developing a battery for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

• Would provide a $5,000 tax credit to buyers of vehicles that emit no carbon or other pollutants, with smaller credits for other advanced vehicles.

• Would force automakers to expand the number of models that can burn E-85 fuel; speed up the timeline of Detroit automakers who have pledged that 50% of new vehicles by 2012 will be flex-fuel capable.

Democrat Barack OBAMA

• Would set up a $150-billion fund to develop new technologies, including plug-in hybrids.

• Would offer loan guarantees and tax credits for revamping plants to build more efficient models.

• Would set a target for automakers to average 50 miles per gallon by 2030.

You now have the major candidates positions on autos in a nutshell.  McCain’s ideas are to tax cut the way into a brighter future.  Not gonna work.  Has not worked in the past, will not work now.  Obama’s is similar tax cuts and massive government infusion of cash to bring the industry back.

Think about it!  The industry made billions upon billions for investors, but yet did not expand the capability for the approaching storm, which many economists predicted 10+ years ago.  Sorry, but they should be held accountable for their mismanagement, it should fall on their shoulders to bring the industry into the 21st century.  The taxpayers have done all they should to bail out industries suffering from extreme greed.