Obama Is The Only Remaining Green Candidate, Says Times' Friedman

As we emerge from Labor Day, college students are gathering back on campuses not only to start the fall semester, but also, in some cases, to vote for the first time in a presidential election. There is no bigger issue on campuses these days than environment/energy. Going into this election, I thought that -- for the first time -- we would have a choice between two "green" candidates. That view is no longer operative -- and college students (and everyone else) need to understand that.

With his choice of Sarah Palin -- the Alaska governor who has advocated drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and does not believe mankind is playing any role in climate change -- for vice president, John McCain has completed his makeover from the greenest Republican to run for president to just another representative of big oil.

Given the fact that Senator McCain deliberately avoided voting on all eight attempts to pass a bill extending the vital tax credits and production subsidies to expand our wind and solar industries, and given his support for lowering the gasoline tax in a reckless giveaway that would only promote more gasoline consumption and intensify our addiction to oil, and given his desire to make more oil-drilling, not innovation around renewable energy, the centerpiece of his energy policy -- in an effort to mislead voters that support for drilling today would translate into lower prices at the pump today -- McCain has forfeited any claim to be a green candidate.

Read the full story here

Related:

::Sarah Palin On The Environment
::McCain, GOP Differed On Climate

Comments

[ully]

so what!can he lead the great america?will be so difficult for him,he better sit quiet at home watch oprah on tv!we dont need suc a man like Obama,nice talker,looks not serious....just be happy man enough for obama.Mccain is the best to lead america fwith many culture people !just mccain,no doubt!

[pdquick]

THE Green candidate is Cynthia McKinney, the nominee of the Green Party. Nuclear energy interests provided the early money to Obama's campaign, and Obama *supports* nuclear power McCain lied about this in his acceptance speech). Obama has also pandered to the ethanol producers, despite clear evidence that ethanol causes more global warming than gasoline. Of the two major corporate party candidates, Obama is clearly better. But let's not get carried away thinking he is a "green" candidate in any way.

[orangepetal]

This is such nonsense. Republicans can be green. There are green Republican Govenors in Florida and in California. The American people want to go green. This is not about Obama, he is not our green messiah. BTW conservatives were eating health food long before liberals.
I want to drill because we need to be energy independant ( keep our money here ) but that does not mean I desperately do not want clean solar and wind energy. Why is everyone so quick to categorize.

[genseric13]

Putting all of us on scooters while the liberals ride in limos is a perfect way to eliminate imported oil in 10 years without drilling in the US.

[Rosie2]

Go talk to the Republicans and find out how we got here? They're not exactly riding bikes.

[Davwbaird]

what a dunce. I don;t ride in a cad and no democrat iknow does. More like a prius.

[dt42]

Ask Al Gore about his 40,000 square foot mansion, limo, and private jet. Easing his conscience with phony carbon credits won't negate the fact that he is a huge and unapologetic polluter who has the audacity to tell me how I should be more green.

[as if]

Check out this VIDEO OF SARAH PALIN'S INVOLVEMENT WITH THE ALASKA INDEPENDENCE PARTY:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmt0rLtgmK0

And the Rethugs had the nerve to question Barack's patriotism because sometimes he didn't wear a freaking FLAG PIN????!!!! Give me a break!! If a video like this had come out that involved Barack, the Rethuglicans would be having a field day. You will notice the sound of crickets when it comes to them owning the truth about their own candidate!!

I guess these people are not aware of the fact that we now have something called video.

[ZeroBama]

Check out this VIDEO OF BARAK HUSSEIN OBAMA'S INVOLVEMENT WITH TERRORIST BILL AYERS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEeHl0h3NBo

[as if]

I looked, ZERO. Just another example of Rethuglican lies and distortion. Obama was a 9 year old kid when Ayers was involved with this group, and has since paid his debt to society and is now a respected professor at the University of Illinois. He happens to live in the same neighborhood as the Obamas. That's about all there is to this "story." As usual, you Rethuglicans have nothing but lies, deceit, and fearmongering going for your cause, which will undoubtedly fail as a result. The American public is not so dumb nor ignorant as you think. And by the way, this is not a video in the same sense as the video I posted. It is merely a commercial advertisement that was so filled with lies and so misleading, the Obama campaign may take legal action against it. Whereas, the video that I posted is a video of Palin addressing the secessionist group, with whom she is proud to be associated.

[Rosie2]

Obama was seven years old when all this happened, and why isn't Ayers in jail? Get all the facts before bringing up this ancient story.

[Davwbaird]

m y gosh you are stupid.

[kuarta60]

OBAMA'S PATRIOTISM? WHERE? WHY DID HIS WHY SAY ONLY NOW SHE RESPECT the American people(just because they were chosen to represent the Democrats? Why did she stay here in USA if she didn't respect the country and the people? Why not go back to Africa or where she came from ? why did she study here and have her children here. The PIN? It doesn't just show your patriotism. OBAMA was placed there by celeberities just because they want (since they are black too) a black president. I don't know anything that obama did for this country , oh yeah- he was a community organizer- let's not forget that. I wore the USA Flag PIN too not because I am in America. I am also colored but I have my right mind. I won't put this country that I learned to love and respect to the hands of a person who's ideas are like Marxism? OBAMA IS ZERO AND MCCAIN IS A HERO- IT RHYMES WELL LIKE HELL!!!

[NL207]

that video is rubbish.

But this is fact: Sen Daniel Akaka D-Hawaii introduced a bill, S.310, into the US Senate that would have fostered seccession of Hawaii from the United States. Senator Obama supported this bill. "The only advocate who was comprehensive and charismatic was Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, D-IL, who shared personal insights as a former resident of Hawaii on how the bill will help Hawaii."

sources: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~anu/pdf/Indigeneity.pdf
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s110-310
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?776a58dc-ad25-4db7-aad8-7494c122c56d

I have the nerve to question Obama and his so-called patriotism.

[maxhnb]

If anyone will sell out America it is McCain who supports NAFTA and Saudi Arabia. McCain said Iran is the most dangerous terrorist state when in fact it is Saudi Arabia that funds all the terorism and who has promised to destroy Israel since 1948.

How are we to beleive that McCain will make us independent of Saudi oil when he is pals with them too. All this talk of America first and McCain cant find time to not miss 60% of Senate votes. Not even being Present for them.

f John McCain is always for America not a party then why is it he always votes with the party and hasn't taken on a leadership role in 30 years. This all sounds like a promise waiting to be broken. McCain knows that as President he has to appeal to the Democrats who are in control of congress.

It was the same old same old John McCain....rah rah and war stories but no plan for change , He plans to tell us he is going to get all those insiders he insults to work with him ? If you think they fought you before than you have something to learn. Palin makes McCain seem old and confused.

[meanguy]

i would have to agree, obama IS green...as in 'greenhorn'

[as if]

Gee, I'm guessing--by your user name and by your name-calling--that you are a Republican. How did I know this? Because, since Republicans cannot debate the Democrats on any substantive issues, they resort to name-calling and lying. Do you have ANYTHING substantive to contribute to this discussion?

I'm wating....

By the way, substantive means substantial: having a firm basis in reality and being therefore important, meaningful,

[ZeroBama]

Are you blind or what. Have you not looked at the lunatic dribble on this site? And you have the stones to accuse someone of not debating the issues. Name calling? give me a break!!!!!

[orangepetal]

I get so tongue tied, you are so knowledgeable. Cut the crap, we don't care too much for all your far left propaganda books that you think is reality.

[kuarta60]

oH YAP, LOTS OF SUBSTANTIAL THING TO SAY, FIRST OF ALL LET ME CORRECT A TYPO ON MY BLOG ABOVE, THE WHY IS WIFE, ALL SHE DOES IS THE THUMBS UP AND OH THAT PORTRUDED LIPS- I DON'T TRUST THOSE. As for obama (I intentionally used the lower case- like lower -----I think you know what I mean. I am not a Democrat or a Republican- it's the person that I vote for , not the party. As I said, what does obama know. Gov. Palin, knows more than he does, and what does michelle know -trying to dance all the time and praising his husband- I can praise my Dog too. And who uses their kids, Jamie Lee Curtis said something to that matter, but how about her- she needs to look at the mirror and look deeply into her soul and family. Aren't the obamas using their children too, "obviously urging them" to wave to the public .What they are showing is so scripted. Can't blame them. Oprah must have paid somebody to teach them how to act.
Is substantial the only word you're questioning?

[KillTheMessenger]

Troll? Is that you, Troll?

[thirteen13]

Greenhorn for what? He sure has your attention.

[CondomsforSarah]

In John McCain's acceptance speech of Thursday he said he was not going to bring back the jobs lost to the globalization but instead he was going to open up the community colleges to retrain the workers of the nation, to presumably get them ready for new jobs.

THIS IS RIGHT OUT OF THE 1960'S AND EARLY 1970'S and it is just not possible today. MCCAIN IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE PUTTING THAT OUT THERE. Sending people to the junior colleges is something we used to say 30 years or more ago because it was fashionable.

1) Already educated engineers and pHd's in all industries who have lost their jobs to overseas outsourcing.

2) There are people in Silicon Valley that have lost their jobs and these are engineers who have a great amount of education

3) Workers who felt pride in their job, for example someone in Ohio who used to build television screens that have gone to China, sure do not want to go back to college to spend time in a classroom for jobs that do not exist anyway. What would that factory worker do, go to a community college to become an investment banker, or a senator, or an economist.

4) If you tell displaced workers that they need to go back to school they resent it as someone telling them that their previous life and what they are is not good enough.

[kuarta60]

I think you don't get the point or you cant read between the lines? It's funny that you think that way. Only "small " minded people think that way. taking it literally.
Why don't you anylyze it again, or you're just thinking about condoms(co­ndomsforsa­rah). As what they said, men gets in trouble a lot of times when they think with their "small head" only..he! he! he!
I'm enjoying this but i have to go, it's a waste of time dealing with small-minded people like you or obama-the greenhorn who cannot say stright he's black. he says he's mixed, and their family is a mixture of different nations- that's what you get when you are not picky .I am not saying they are promiscous. they are noble in thei own mind and rights ,just like all of us. we all think we're perfect, but we don't look at the mirror and see the cracks, freckles, abnormalities, etc in our face and our self especially our soul. . ..TOAST FOR PRESIDENT MCCAIN AND VICE PRESIDENT PALIN !!!!!

[George W Notabush]

Two proven strategies for Obama to win:

1. Make sure Mac and Palin divorce emotionally - always show how smart, attractive and young Sarah is as opposed to the “Old Joe” Mac.

2. Keep reminding Americans this simple formula: McCain is all for wars, wars drive oil/gas price higher, therefore, Mccain is for Higher Gas price. Vote against Mccain = vote for a cheaper gasoline!

That simple.

[11Xray]

".. I don't know what we should be doing about this, but I hope somebody does before some of us become the burgers. I'm totally freaked at the thought of a hungry polar bear at someones door or window, or at their car window.

I'm passing this on because I found it shocking. Comments please..."

We should be hunting them. When super-predators are hunted, they regain their natural fear of man. Witness the increased predator attacks in places where they've made a come-back and hunting is limited or banned. They start eating people. That's why we have rifles. Don't be skeered.

[11Xray]

Cynthia McKinney...now there's a Green Party candidate! Go Cynthia!

[SeanSevah]

Obama is no longer a viable candidate with Joe Biden as his running mate. Joe Biden has no respect for the 14th amendment ( specifically due process and equal protection ). A vote for Obama with Joe as his running mate is a vote for a police state and the degredation of constitutional rights. Is a vote for Obama really for Obama? Joe Biden is a snake and a party mole.

[KillTheMessenger]

The trolling is slow this morning, isn't it?

[NL207]

Apparently it wasn't. You bit ....

[RAFunge]

apparently you haven't been paying attention of what has happened over the past 7 years. telephone taps, computer email survaillence, cell phone calls and who knows what else all going into a government war room in san francisco. and by the way, how may interpreters has the government hired that understand pushtan or arabic. i mean they, the bush ghestapo, do realize that if terorists wanted to plot something, they sure as hell wouldn't speak english.

[TJRich]

I heard a report on FSTV today [Dish 9415] that the habitat of the polar bears are in such dire straights that they are expanding their search for food into communities since the ice is melting so quickly. It was pointed out that they are meat eaters and that includes people. Most of our structures and automobiles can't deter a determined bear as we have seen many times. The thought of someone being caught in this situation is pretty scary to me. I don't know what we should be doing about this, but I hope somebody does before some of us become the burgers. I'm totally freaked at the thought of a hungry polar bear at someones door or window, or at their car window.

I'm passing this on because I found it shocking. Comments please.

[ZeroBama]

Protection of the Polar Bear has increased their numbers substantially. Too many of them. They learn quickly that where there are humans there is food.

[Beranek]

. . . and where there are Republicans this is lies and hypocrisy.

[genseric13]

Volunteer to help them. Feed them your own worthless carcass.

[thirteen13]

Why don't you move to RUSSIA THE BEAR.

[bigdog1515]

The greenies want us to pay $5 a gallon and more for fuel. God forbid the price should go down !!!! You elitist libs have no regard for the working people struggling every day to meet their expenses. They can't afford to go out and but a $27,000 Prius like you !!! You'd rather kill our economy and drive the American people deeper into debt with your pie-in-the-sky ideology.

[laura29]

Hey!!! You guys are forgetting Barr, McKinney, and Nader. Look at their energy policies. American, please WAKE UP and realize there are more than two parties running for president. Don't waste your vote on status quo. Go Barr!!!

[GuyRC]

Hey, you wake up and realize that beating McSame is more important than nitpicking about who is greenest.

[Patrioticwoman]

McCain-Palin is far from status quo. Affirmative action nominee without any credentials is status quo.

[mouselion]

McCain-Palin is the very definition status quo.

Say one thing -- do another.

[KillTheMessenger]

If they are not the status quo, why are they advertising as if they were? Shouldn't they be on their message of change?

:-)

[ZeroBama]

You libs never have complained about affirmative action before. Why now?

[thirteen13]

You sound like military draft material. Have you registered with your local draft board?

We will see how patriotic you are drafted and shipped off to the oil war zones.

Oh, that's right, we don't draft women. Why not? Because they are females.

[sheila]

by "affirmative action," i assume you are referring to how mccain could only barely hang on at annapolis because his daddy and grampappy were in the navy? it takes a certain caliber of leader to graduate in the BOTTOM 1% of a class of folks not noted for being geniuses in the first place, then to never have a job that wasn't paid by taxpayers. yep, sounds like affirmative action alright. some maverick.

oh, and since you clearly haven't been to law school, grading and bar results are 100% anonymous, done by secret code numbers. there is no way to fake it after you are in, and being the top of your class at harvard law is an incredible achievement.

[mheister]

Lamentably, the system is rigged very heavily against third-party candidates. They are good for bringing issues more attention, but that's about it right now.