Mr. McCain, of Arizona, alienated some environmentalists last week during a speech in Houston when he dropped his opposition to allowing offshore drilling for oil; this week, in a swing through California, he spoke about trying to wean the nation from its dependence on oil. He called for improving the enforcement of fuel economy standards, building more cars that could run on alternative fuels, dropping the tariff on imports of sugar-based ethanol from Brazil and offering big tax credits for nonpolluting cars.

“I further propose we inspire the ingenuity and resolve of the American people,” Mr. McCain said, “by offering a $300 million prize for the development of a battery package that has the size, capacity, cost and power to leapfrog the commercially available plug-in hybrids or electric cars.”

He said the winner should deliver power at 30 percent of current costs. “That’s one dollar, one dollar, for every man, woman and child in the U.S. — a small price to pay for helping to break the back of our oil dependency,” he said.

OK my question is will this be paid to anyone who comes up with the technology? If so, then I would guess the Japanese would win the cash. They are about 5 years ahead of the US in electrical technology.

Another question. Does McCain have advisers that actually read the news? This is just plain lame. Back in 1993, I believe, Clinton started a joint venture with the 3 major car makers to come up with a low energy vehicle that was not all that and now McCain has this epiphany on a auto battery deal.

Will someone, anyone, please tell these dorks that the consumer has caused this crisis and the consumer can end it. That should be the starting point of any policy and leave the lies and the pandering in the toilet where it belongs. But please a courtesy flush!