McCain flops on emissions standards

McCain flops on emissions standards
Daniel Howes


Would someone please tell Sen. John McCain, the GOP's presidential wannabe, that straight talk and flip-flopping don't mix.

Not in the space of a month. Not when the issue -- whether the next president supports allowing individual states to set emissions rules for new cars and trucks -- means Detroit's automakers could face billions more in R&D spending should the so-called EPA waiver sought by California and a dozen or so other states become law.

One of the last things this beleaguered industry needs is more friends like McCain, whose record of being the Republican Party's leading automotive antagonist is showing through on the campaign trail. On that, at least, he's consistent.

A few thoughts: Does anyone in the Arizona senator's campaign, which stopped Friday at General Motors Corp.'s Tech Center in Warren, actually brief the candidate? Do they know the difference between a single national standard for emissions and allowing the zealots in the California Assembly to set their own emissions targets? Do they know how much each costs? Do they care? If not, why waste time here?

What's McCain doing?

"You'd think before you come to Detroit or GM, you'd have a pretty concise answer on this," an executive with a rival automaker tells me. "Michigan should be a competitive state for him, but it almost feels like he's doing what he can to lose it."

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can get away with pretending cutting back demand is the real answer to $5.00/gal gas.