McCain fears chaos, genocide

Americans’ energy concerns and the Iraq war were discussed by Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain in Virginia. McCain said that the United States must lower its dependence on foreign oil by increasing its domestic production. He also called for continued research on alternative energy sources. McCain restated his support for a gas tax holiday, a measure that would lower gasoline prices by temporarily removing its federal taxes.

To increase domestic production, McCain said that he will soon call for a lifting of a moratorium that prohibits states from exploring for oil and natural gas reserves offshore. He added that states with reserves should be given incentives to produce, saying that increasing the percentage of revenue states receive is one possible motivation. McCain called ANWR “pristine” and said the he opposes drilling for oil in a region that was set aside as a wildlife reserve.

McCain emphatically declared that the United States is winning the war in Iraq, saying that President Bush’s troop increases have brought greater stability to the country, reduced Iranian influence, and allowed for the growth of Iraq’s democracy. McCain said that Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama’s advocacy for a withdrawal date and Obama’s statement that a troop surge would fail were wrong. McCain noted that Obama has not visited Iraq in over two years and, to gain a complete and thorough grasp of the military situation there, suggested that Obama meet with General Petraeus. McCain said that US troops should come home with victory and honor and that a quick exit could lead to chaos and genocide.

McCain repeated his desire to hold weekly town hall meetings with Obama until each party’s convention is held, saying that he will continue to reserve one day a week for such an event. McCain remarked that town hall meetings are the root of democracy and that these discussions would clearly show the differences between the two candidates. In reference to Sen. Obama's statement that small town Americans are bitter and thus turn to guns and religion, McCain maintained he would never suggest that people in small towns turn to guns and religion out of bitterness, telling those in small towns that his presidency would bring them a safe and prosperous nation.

Republicans have "answers" to rising gas prices

In a press conference regarding gas prices, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY.) said that the Republican Party is committed to creating more American energy in order to lower gas prices. He criticized Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama and his stance on gas prices. He said that apparently Senator Obama is not concerned about the rising gas prices, only the fact that they rose so abruptly. McConnell said that lowering gas prices in the America is a top priority for the Republican Party.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH.) said that the U.S. must produce more oil in an environmentally friendly way. He said that the Democrats who run the Senate are not allowing sensible bills to be brought to the floor. He said that Democratic Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid (D-NY.) is taking partisan advantage in the Senate and it is making it impossible for Republicans to introduce legislation.

Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tex.) said that the Republican Party is prepared to act on lower gas prices, with an understanding that the issue involves supply, demand, and conservation. He said that most Republican senators voted for higher fuel efficiency standards, which according to Alexander, is essential to lowering gas prices.

McCain campaign slams Obama comments on gas prices, tax policy

Arizona republican Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign held a conference call addressing the comments of Senator Barack Obama concerning what to do with appalling gas prices and tax policy.

Speaking during the call was Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA) who described Obama as a candidate “out of touch” with the middle class Americans he claims to support. Cantor said that Obama’s recent sentiments suggested Americans should “get used to” high gas prices.

Doug Holtz-Eakin, senior policy advisor to Senator McCain, continued to advocate McCain’s calls for a “gas holiday” this summer, which he claimed would give Americans the immediate relief they desperately need. Also, Holtz-Eakin said McCain’s employment policy was structured to keep American workers in America, as opposed to having company’s ship jobs overseas.

Holtz-Eakin also said Obama has claimed he wants to spend more money to implement his plans, but that he also wants to cut taxes, which is an impossible goal to realize.

The truck stops here

“When trucks stop, America stops.” The state of the development of hybrid medium and heavy duty trucks was discussed at a hearing before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. Chairman Nick Lampson (D-Tex.) opened with the fact that 60 percent less fuel is used by hybrid trucks compared to conventional ones.

Terry Penney, Technology Manager of National Renewable Energy Laboratory, pointed out that 80 percent of all goods are transported by conventional trucks which use 40 billion gallons of diesel. Hybrid trucks are estimated to save more than 1000 gallons of diesel per year. By switching to hybrid trucks, transportation costs will also go down, reducing the price of goods for Americans. Other benefits include more jobs in the hybrid truck industry, less greenhouse gas emission and less dependency on foreign oil.

However, Jill Egbert, Manager of Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), admitted that upfront costs of hybrid medium-to-heavy duty trucks were daunting. Richard Parish, Senior Program Manager of Calstart Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF), agreed and said better purchase incentives were necessary. At the moment, the purchase incentives are high but fail to cover the differential costs of hybrids. If manufacturing volume increased, production costs would go down. Parish also suggested a government commitment program ranging from five to ten years to help replace hybrids from conventional fleets. When asked about the 21st century Truck Partnership Program, Parrish said it had limited success and needed a new vision.

Reid says Republicans don't even want to talk

At a Senate leadership "Pen and Pad" session, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said too many members of the Republican party will not address what he described as the "most important issue of our time" - global warming. He said that Republicans are afraid of change and are only interested in maintaining the status quo.

Reid said that his main focus in the upcoming weeks will be the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. In addition to benefiting the environment, this bill is estimated to lower foreign oil imports by 50 percent. He said that the problem facing the Senate is the Republican Party's refusal to add any sort of input concerning the bill. Reid added that he is ready and willing to negotiate amendments to the Act, although he noted that Republicans seem unwilling to even do that much.

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said that 87 percent of Americans believe that global warming is an important issue. Durbin also emphasized the idea that the Republicans are afraid of change and that Republican Senators are not putting the appropriate amount of time into the bill. He said that a bipartisan effort is necessary to moving forward on this bill.

Reid also said that the President must take an active role on this issue and cannot just “lurk in the background.” Reid was also questioned about his views regarding Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) and his decision to support Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the 2008 election. Reid responded by saying that Lieberman was an asset to the caucus, regardless of his decision to endorse McCain.