McCain Lied or Was Confused: You Make the Call

John McCain spent part of this last Friday at the Aspen Institute speaking about energy issues, including a meeting with T. Boone Pickens. From an interview there

McCAIN: I have a long record of that support of alternate energy..... I've always been for all of those and I have not missed any crucial vote. But my citizens in Arizona know that when I'm running for the President of the United States I have to be out campaigning.

John McCain has missed vote, after vote, after vote in the US Senate.

John McCain has been Absent WithOut Leave (AWOL) for critical vote after critical vote on energy issues.

A Note On John's Voting Record

As reported at Think Progress, John McCain has been the Senator with the worst attendance record in the 110th Congress. As of last month, he had missed over 60 percent of votes. That is a worse attendance record than Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) who had a minor little issue: a brain hemorrhage. Now, to put things into perspective for those who might excuse his failure to do the work for which the American taxpayer pays him and (some of) the citizens of Arizona elected him as he strives for free housing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (as if Cindy doesn't already give him enough cribs to hang out at), throughout his campaigning, he has regularly spent weekends with family or otherwise on break from the campaign trail. (Politico: John McCain doesn't work weekends)

So, John is regularly AWOL, so what?

So what about energy?

Let us return to McCain's words for a moment.

I have a long record of that support of alternate energy. ... I've always been for all of those and I have not missed any crucial vote.

The audacity of these claims, the utter disdain for truth and accuracy, is simply astounding.

Let us just take a moment to consider two votes relevant to "alternate energy," from December 2007 and February 2008. Were these "crucial votes"?

On 13 December 2007, the Senate voted on a measure to provide $13 billion for renewable power over the coming five years. And, that bill had provisions to pay for this: recouping unjustified tax subsidies to the big five oil companies. The vote for cloture (to allow a simple majority vote on the measure) required 60 votes and failed with a vote of 59 for, 40 against, and 1 Senator absent. What is that "1″? John McCain, who couldn't be bothered to show up to vote on a measure critical for setting a path forward for "alternate energy". A crucial vote?

In early February, the Senate version of the Stimulus package had provisions for roughly $5 billion in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green jobs. That $5.7 billion package included:

• 1-year extension of the Production Tax Credit-$3 billion
• Solar, fuel cell, and micro turbine investment credits-$130 million
• Clean Renewable Energy Bonds-$400 million
• High-efficiency appliance credits-$323 million
• Energy efficiency credits for new homes-$61 million
• Energy efficiency credits for home retrofits-$1.5 billion
• Energy efficiency credits for commercial buildings-$153 million

When the vote for cloture came up on the Stimulus Package including this funding for green technologies: 59-40-1. Do I need to tell you who was the one Senator Missing in Action and Absent WithOut Leave?

Thus, two times in a two month period, John McCain had a chance to be the deciding vote in favor of renewable energy and the planet was left wanting, with John McCain missing in action. Sadly, these aren't the only cases of an AWOL McCain when important issues were brought to the floor for a vote. While the absences aren't only related to energy, for production tax credits (PTCs) for renewable energy, McCain is batting 1.000. As per Thomas Friedman,

John McCain has a perfect record on this renewable energy legislation. He has missed all eight votes over the last year -- which effectively counts as a no vote each time. Once, he was even in the Senate and wouldn't leave his office to vote.

When it comes to energy, to "alternate energy," the production tax credit is crucial. The votes to extend it were crucial to literally billions of dollars of renewable energy projects. And, the continued uncertainty over whether there will be a PTC in coming years (come 1 January 2009) is causing tremendous disruption in wind, solar, and other US renewable energy projects.

McCAIN: I have a long record of that support of alternate energy. ... I've always been for all of those and I have not missed any crucial vote.

"Not missed any crucial vote."

You make the call. Lie or simply confusion about his own record? Either one isn't exactly a great refection on McCAIN.

McCain's Green Straight Talk Express: Sound, Not Substance

For good reason, many find John McCain's "Straight Talk Express" when it comes to Global Warming rather refreshing, considering that he comes from the Party of Denial and Delay. Yet, sadly, that "Straight Talk" has not been translated to straight action.

And, the Straight Talk Express on Global Warming might be soothingly deceptive, but as per the issue of "green technologies," it doesn't stand up to serious scrutiny.

And, the question before us: will the traditional media give it serious scrutiny or continue to greenwash McCain?

NOTE: Major hat tip to Think Progress.

Comments

[darlingdem]

This is PROOF of McCain's weak record on a critical and timely issue. It would be political malpractice if Obama or the DNC doesn't create a political ad (TV, web & radio) out of this.

One of the things Tim Russert used to do to devastating effect on MTP was to have a politician on...and then roll tape of his or her past words coming back to haunt that person. For example...when McCain repeatedly denied ever saying that he wasn't strong on economic issues, Russert had him on and played a tape of him saying that very thing. Game over.

Obama could do that here and expose McCain's failure to make a difference on alternative energy...and show how disingenuous McCain is while he's at it!

[JulianJons]

The arrogance of this man is boundless. To think the media will not find out about this, not being on the cone or the cross in the dirt in just a few days makes you wonder wether he actually tells the truth about anything. This man wants to win the presidency at all costs and he will stay in Iraq until his definition of "win" happens there.

[Bozwellian]

...for one who professes that he prefers NOT to capitalize on his military/POW experience, he seems to pretend "humility" but constantly references it but when another questions it much, he blathers how it is NOT a subject HE wishes to discuss. At Saddleback, he was even able to gloss over HIS first marriage dissalution--He has played outside of both marriages and their respective vows wsith seeming impunity and another Goper who is able to toss it off to yourthful idescretions. In retelling his war stories, ssems they are adjustable..He tells of how when tortured to "give up his brothers", he instead gave up the names of the Greenbay Packer team linemen..or as in Pa, adjusted to claim it was the Pittsburgh Steelers whose names he recited. Problematic ...few to nil in that pzarticular timeframe KNEW the names of EITHER team linemen, they were NOT superstars nor were their respective teams, both losing those seasons, strange how McC claims to have known their names..could have questioned the teamates themselves and chances are even they themselves could not have done so but McC says he did and none question in defference to his POW status which all figure ultimate sacrifice/etc and heroic. Yeah, likely much more to the STORIES, but mot prefer rosified mythicals to actuals and WANT to believe...just saying, should be "salted" !!!!

[grata2ude]

Republicans seem to think that if they tell the lie often enough it becomes the truth. I seen it in every election since I started to vote in 1972. I am amazed at the lies people swallow and still vote for the Republican candidate. Its a formula that keeps working. Lie Lie and Lie some more.

[MuseScavenger]

I was against alternative energy before I was for it... er, I mean, I'm all for petroleum-based alternates, so long as they're free-based... no, dang it! Where's my tele-me-prompter? What the hell do I stand for? I'm John McCain and I reproved this comical... No, I mean improved this commie... dang!

[PioneerKing]

MR. SIEGEL:

Sen. McCain's voting record attendance is worse when you look at all of the votes he has missed since he was first sent to Washington. The presidential campaigning is an excuse for the past 12 months but there is no excuse for the previous 25 years.
One of the worst is McCain not even bothering to make an appearance to vote Yea or Nay on the GI Bill this spring but telling veterans that he voted for the bill.

[peterg76]

McCain is confused whether he lies or not.

[fact finder]

peterg76; McCain is confused about fibbing or fibbing about being confused, But aren't most politicians.?

[AnnieinOR]

He's following the lead of his new campaign team.... LIE, LIE, LIE. SMEAR, SMEAR, SMEAR....insert "feigned outrage" when necessary.

[ATL78]

He tells too many lies to keep up! Is that part of the strategy?

[Oldchef]

McCain gets away with his lies because the MSM refuse to call him on them. It seems obvious that the big corporations who own the media outlets are in McCain's corner and will continue to obscure his real record to get him elected.

[tinatoledo31]

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) "has missed the most votes of any Democratic presidential hopeful in the Senate over the last two months, including a vote on an Iran resolution he has blasted Sen. Hillary Clinton for supporting," CNN reported November 2, 2007.[1] Since September 2007, Obama has missed 80 percent of Senate votes.

[Soundofthunder]

So what? Obama knows he's missed votes, which is why he's not making an issue out of it. Meanwhile, McCain admonished Congress for vacation time and openly lies about his voting record. McCain doesn't have the sense to stop hurling stones in that extravagant glass house bought with Cindy's millions.

SOT

[A. Siegel - Huffpost Blogger]

Simple fact: McCain has the worst (by far) attendance record of any Senator. As of this moment, McCain has missed 63.8% of votes in the 110th Congress. (http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/110/senate/vote-missers/) Now, Obama has missed many as well: some 45.5%, or about 1/3rd fewer missed votes (290) than McCain (407 missed votes).

But, Obama is not going around with bald-faced lies claiming to support something that he has not supported and claiming to have never missed a "crucial vote" on the issue that he hasn't supported.

[tinatoledo31]

Thanks. I am not disputing the story or the fact that McCain is blatantly lying, but just trying to show both sides (granted Obama isn't saying he never missed a vote, like the guy below pointed out)

It is interesting in the information age that candidates still feel they can lie about things and think no one will fact check. Another example is Obama claiming he was on the senate banking committee and calling it "my committee". Both have blatantly lied and we will probably see more before its over.

[pmag88]

This is one of the best posts I've read here. It's exactly the kind of detailed information that makes it immpossible to hide the deception. thanks

[A. Siegel - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you. Much appreciated. Compliments always taken, sometimes even graciously. :-)

[lboucher]

"If we keep on getting distracted by this problem then we are not solving it."

-Barack Obama in response to question posed by Wolf Blitzer about DL's for illegals

[CharlesJ]

I had McCain at a 58.3% missed vote rate, but the exact number is not important. What is important is everyone needs to take a few moments and check the voting records of their candidates. Look at issues important to you and see where your candidate actually stands. You can view the specific bills if you wish at various web sites, but if you have an adversion to a lot of legal mumbo jumbo I would suggest you dont. Look at the individual bill titles, under specific categories, what you will learn will surprise you. Yes, McCains voting records on Military benefits, Energy, Senior benefits (ssn), Education, and Jobs is less than stellar, in fact less than barely acceptable, they were extreemly poor to be blunt.

[GoCards1978]

I hope the Obama campaign takes the hint to hit McCain with his record. Don't forget the flip-flop on torture since he runs primarily on his Vietnam captivity.

[myrddin]

HuffPost's Pick

I think it's dillusion not confusion. He honestly thinks he's backed alternative energy just as he thinks he's been the perfect backer of our military even though most veteran organizations give him poor marks for that. This a dangerous man to have in the White House. What happens if he gets it in his head that Russia is going to attack the US. He's already on record as strongly disliking the Russians. He also is a proponent of George Bush's preemptive strikes against potential enemy states. The two ideas of his spell a potential disaster in the making.