Election Day

Well, it's here - Election Day!

And I'm getting ready to go out and vote. Let's see - top hat, cane, boutonniere, spit-shined shoes, cleaned and pressed tuxedo - now what have I forgotten?

Oh yeah, cuff links. Can't wear the every-day appointments today, best to pull out the special studs for this election.

Wait a minute. Maybe I'm being a bit inappropriate. Don't want to draw attention to myself. After all, this day is all about the candidates.

Yep, better wear a coat with tails. Good thing I hung it out...just in case.

Where are my spats?

Go out and vote!

Presidential Candidates on Transportation, Smart Growth

The Brookings Institution has a side by side comparison of Barack Obama and John McCain on transportation issues including funding priorities, public transportation, fuel efficiency, passenger rail (Amtrak), and smart growth.

http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2008/0826_transportation_puentes_opp08/0826_transportation_puentes_opp08.pdf

Presidential Candidates: Energy

Concisely, this Reuters article lays out Obama's and McCain's positions on the future of energy policy in the US.

http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed7/idUSTRE49T6W020081031

Presidential Solar Power

Both John McCain and Barack Obama have indicated support for the development of wind and solar power.

Obama proposes targeting research and development of alternative energies (primarily solar and wind) with $150 billion in seed money over the next 10 years. The goal - energy independence by 2018.

McCain expresses support for alternative energies, but refuses to give specifics on how he would foster the development of wind and solar or give any timetables. But as a member of the U. S. Senate for over two decades, his track record may indicate how he would promote alternative energies.

The Washington Independent sheds some light on the subject.

http://washingtonindependent.com/10938/10938

Candidate's Auto-Carbon Footprint

How many cars do the presidential candidates have? A Newsweek article - All the Candidate's Cars - indicates that John McCain and his wife own 13 automobiles; Barack Obama and his wife own 1.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/160091

John McCain

John McCain says nothing about energy policy on his campaign website; by all indications, the once-maverick McCain whole-heartedly embraces the policies of the current administration.


On the environment, the Senator sites Teddy Roosevelt as a model and calls for an ethic of good stewardship.


In the words of the campaign:



John McCain has a proud record of common sense stewardship. Along with his commitment to clean air and water, and to conserving open space, he has been a leader on the issue of global warming with the courage to call the nation to action on an issue we can no longer afford to ignore.

America has been blessed with a rich and diverse natural heritage. In the tradition of his hero, Theodore Roosevelt, John McCain believes that we are vested with a sacred duty to be proper stewards of the resources upon which the quality of American life depends. Ensuring clean air, safe and healthy water, sustainable land use, ample greenspace - and the faithful care and management of our natural treasures, including our proud National Park System - is a patriotic responsibility. One that must be met not only for the benefit of our generation, but for our children and those to whom we will pass the American legacy.

John McCain believes that America's economic and environmental interests are not mutually exclusive, but rather inextricably linked. Our economic prospects depend greatly upon the sustainable use of ample and unspoiled natural resources. A clean and healthy environment is well served by a strong economy. History shows that poverty is a poor steward.

As John McCain said, "Americans solve problems. We don't run from them." He believes that ignoring the problem reflects a "liberal live for today" attitude unworthy of our great country, and poses a serious and unacceptable threat to our environment, our economy, and U.S. national security. He has offered common sense approaches to limit carbon emissions by harnessing market forces that will bring advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy, to the market faster, reduce our dependence on foreign supplies of energy, and see to it that America leads in a way that ensures all nations do their rightful share.

By addressing this problem responsibly, John McCain believes we can meet our obligation to be proper caretakers of creation, in a manner of which we can be proud - by protecting our country, strengthening our economy, and addressing the challenges of our time, rather than leaving a much worse problem for our children.

The campaign did not list any specific policies, timetables, or specific goals in the area of energy or the environment. Feel free to fill me in if I've missed something.

note to readers: You may notice that this post was scheduled for yesterday. Some sort of wicked virus (I'll spare you the details) took me out of commission for a day and a half, thus no post yesterday. I'll be posting Barack and Hillary's Energy and Environmental positions on Friday and Saturday.