John McCain, Champion of American Energy Independence

“Our government’s ill-advised politics have left America’s energy future under others’ control.” On campaign in Fresno, California, Monday, June 23, the Republican presidential candidate, John McCain, mounted his new battle horse to prove his independence regarding the White House and against the Democratic argument according to which his election would generate a “third Bush mandate.” From now on, he wants to be the man who will “break the [United State’s] petroleum independence.”

His last proposition consisted of creating 300 million dollars in federal aid, under the form of tax reductions for the most deserving automobile manufacturers in the development of the “clean car,” equipped with a battery that emits the least amount of CO2. He also promised a fiscal exemption of 5000 dollars to every American who acquires a “zero emission” of greenhouse gas vehicle.

Used to using their vehicles, often gas-guzzlers, Americans fear that the time of good gas prices has turned to a constant increase in the price at the pump, along with that of electricity and domestic fuel. Research into energy independence is thus expected to respond, and also benefits from the increase in the protective sentiment, seen by “others” as the course of these new woes.

Energy independence does not signify total independence vis-à-vis the White House. So after Barack Obama called for an end to the famous “Enron exception,” – a regulation that favors energy investors – the Senator from Arizona declared that he also wanted to “severely punish” speculators. But when his Democratic adversary proposed submitting exceptional benefits from petroleum companies to a special imposition, he joined with the White House to oppose it. It is not when the United States was victim “of others” that they had to punish businesses… All the more so as Mr. McCain, who from Mr. Bush’s first mandate opposed massive tax reductions, was from then on rallied around.

In the same way, on Thursday, June 19, he had already surprised people by stating, in Houston, that “it is time that the federal government removes the obstacles” and waives the moratorium in effect since 1981 on petroleum drilling on American coasts. Applause from the petroleum industry. Immediate protest from ecologists and the Democratic party, for whom Mr. McCain, by favoring petroleum and not renewable resources, “clings to the past.” According to experts, this drilling will only have a minor impact, far from satisfying American energy needs.

The next day, the Republican candidate also called for the construction of forty-five new nuclear reactors from now until 2045, even though none have been built in the United States since the Three Miles Island accident in 1979. Mr. Obama is clearly more reserved, and Mr. Bush avoided touching this subject during this two mandates.

Mr. McCain’s vision on energy is certainly popular. But it is uncertain that it reinforces his image of independence in comparison with Mr. Bush.