Here is a good example of how the media (and the public) get star struck by a politician's image rather than focusing on their actions.
McCain has built up such strong credentials as a fighter of government pork that when he starts peddling it himself no one bats an eye.
Case in point, listen to McCain's speech at the Clean Cities conference. Standing on his reputation for being bold, he repeats twice that he opposes federal subsidies for ethanol and thinks the industry should stand on its own. But then McCain pulls out the pompoms and breaks out in cheers for nuclear power. Of course, he doesn't mention the indisputable fact that no new nuclear power plant will be built in this country without significant federal subsidies.
In fact, the federal government is now teed up to provide the industry with more than $10 billion in subsidies. This is after providing the industry with more than $60 billion in research and development support over the last half century.
So what's the difference between subsidizing ethanol and nuclear power? None. Ostensibly, they would both be deployed to reduce global warming emissions. Yet McCain can comfortably bound about the country, high on his reputation, spewing glaring contradictions that no one will scrutinize. Except for little ol' me.
Here's another: McCain has repeatedly opposed Senate efforts to create a 10% renewable energy standard. These standards have been created in nearly half of all states in the country. Even Arizona is considering a similar proposal. But John McCain—the climate crusader—(or is that Gore?) continues to oppose renewable energy when it counts.
To be honest, I really don't understand it. Because I don't doubt for a second McCain's sincerity in addressing global warming. But is he trying to avoid appearing too green? Does he just not get the solutions as well as he gets the problem?
It's tough to say, but given his reputation, he won't have to answer to any of these contradictions.