I found this chart in the Detroit Free Press and wanted to post it to help my readers understand where their candidate may be on the issue energy–at least for now. These two flip and flop more than a fish out of water.
| BARACK OBAMA | ISSUE | JOHN McCAIN |
| Send out stimulus checks of $300 per family
. |
What he’d do now if he were president | Suspend the 18.4-cent a gallon federal gas tax. |
| Opposed to offshore drilling, saying it offers no short-term benefits and doesn’t address energy issues; opposed to drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. | On domestic drilling | Wants to lift ban on domestic offshore drilling to reduce dependence on foreign oil; opposed to drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. |
| Wants more aggressive investigation into speculation and reforms; wants energy traded on regulated markets
. |
On oil speculation | Supports government investigation and punishment for illegal actions; wants reform of oil futures markets. |
| Supports taxing companies selling oil at more than $80 a barrel, with money going to energy programs; wants repeal of tax breaks for oil industry
. |
On taxing windfall profits of oil companies | Opposed, says it hurts domestic production and investment, increasing dependence on foreign oil. |
| Focused on national energy policy aimed at ending dependence on foreign oil but says states should set speed limits. | On reducing speed limits to reduce energy use | Supports exploring all conservation options but says decisions must be made in consultation with states, industry and consumers. |
| Create $150-billion investment fund used in part to advance technology and commercialize plug-in hybrids and produce new biofuels; double fuel standards for vehicles in 18 years; mandate that all new vehicles have flex-fuel capability by 2013. | On autos | Promises up to $5,000 tax credit for purchase of low- to zero-carbon emissions car; promote flex-fuel technology; offer $300-million prize for battery that can make current plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles commercially viable; enforce fuel standards. |
| Create investment fund to reduce oil consumption by 10 million barrels a day by 2030 through technology, including clean coal; favors market-based system to cut pollution; says nuclear plant safety must be addressed. | On what’s next | Commit $2 billion to clean coal technology; push for 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030; use market-based system to cut greenhouse gases; supports research in advanced energy alternatives. |