McCain the Environmentalist?

John McCain has suggested a new national prize: $300 million dollars to anyone who can build better car battery. No doubt the high cost of gasoline at the pump is driving the Arizona senator's concern for revolutionizing the auto industry. The battery he'd reward would have to trump both plug-in hybrids and electric cars. The winner would also have to deliver power at 30% of current costs. 

This, McCain says, would break the back of US dependence on oil. He may be right about that, but how then does he explain his speech last week in Houston where he dropped his opposition to offshore oil drilling? Is there one strategy for oil rich Texas, and another for more green friendly California, where he made his battery challenge?

McCain has also called for improved enforcement of fuel economy standards. That too makes sense, until you look at his voting record in the Senate. He's voted against improving those same standards. It would appear McCain is late to the table as an auto crusader. He's criticized Barack Obama for supporting subsidies for corn based ethanol, while at the same time saying he now supports the fuel because gas prices are so high. 

Weaning America from dependence on fossil fuels should not be the function of the price of gas. This country would make a grave mistake if in the unlikely event that prices fell, the calls for alternative fuels ceased or were put on the back burner. 

Then where will John McCain be?