From The Hotline for Wednesday, June 25, 2008

MCCAIN

How Green Was My Government

Wed. Jun 25, 2008


John McCain pledged 6/24 that he would make the federal gov't more environmentally friendly if elected.

In a speech in Santa Barbara, CA, McCain vowed to "put the purchasing power of the United States government on the side of green technology" by buying fuel-efficient vehicles for its civilian fleet and by retrofitting federal office space. The pledge "comes months after [Barack] Obama" outlined "a more detailed and ambitious proposal on the subject."

McCain: "Every year, the federal government buys upwards of 60,000 cars and other vehicles, not including military or law enforcement vehicles. ... From now on, we're going to make those civilian vehicles flex-fuel capable, plug-in hybrid, or cars fueled by clean natural gas" (Eilperin/Layton, Washington Post, 6/25).

Among those on McCain's panel was CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), who opposes a major element of McCain's energy strategy -- ending the ban on offshore drilling. Schwarzenegger: "John and I both know we can protect our environment and our economy at the same time." He "did not mention offshore drilling" (Johnson, AP, 6/24).

However, McCain was continuously "dogged by critics" in Santa Barbara "at nearly every turn for his recent embrace of offshore drilling." During his roundtable, McCain "endured a lecture on his new position from one of the panelists invited" by his camp -- Land Trust for Santa Barbara Co. exec. dir. Michael Feeney -- who "repudiated McCain's position on offshore drilling, as well his advocacy for building 45 nuclear power plants" by '30.

Feeney said he didn't understand "how it's not compromising our environmental standards to propose a crash program to build more nuclear power plants." He also said it would be unwise to "drain America's offshore oil and gas reserves as quickly as possible in the hopes of driving down the cost of gasoline" when it would take years before those resources could be extracted.

Outside the venue, "several dozen environmental protesters denounced McCain," carrying "anti-drilling signs and photographs" of the '69 Santa Barbara spill (Reston/Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 6/25). And later on 6/24, one of the donors at McCain's p.m. Santa Barbara fundraiser, Dan Secord, told McCain: "We're really kind of goosey here about oil spills, and we're goosey here about federal drilling and oil lands, which are abundant offshore. ... So we ask you to look out there to the south and the southeast and remember the greatest environmental catastrophe that's hit this state and then balance that with the notion of winning California" (Cooper, "The Caucus," NYTimes.com, 6/24).

McCain "joked" in reply: "This meeting is adjourned" (Zuckman, "The Swamp," ChicagoTribune.com, 6/24).

Use The Schwarz, Lone Star

During his CA visit, the DNC accused McCain of trying "to hide behind" Schwarzenegger's record on renewable energy. DNC spokesperson Karen Finney: "Cozying up to Governor Schwarzenegger can't change the fact that the centerpiece of John McCain's 'new' energy plan is President Bush's proposal to end the moratorium on offshore oil drilling" (release, 6/24).

CNN's Bash, on Schwarzenegger supporting McCain's energy policy: "[McCain] got a big boost from somebody who is incredibly important, perhaps the most important Republican for John McCain when it comes to the issue of the environment, which obviously is one of the big issues that he is trying to use to separate himself from President Bush and make himself out as a different kind of Republican. The problem ... is offshore drilling. Clearly, Arnold Schwarzenegger does differ with McCain on that issue. They didn't talk about it today" ("Situation Room," 6/24).

Just Say Dr. No

Speaking at a town hall meeting in NV on 6/24, Obama criticized McCain's energy plans, "though he did not mention" McCain's proposal to "green" the federal gov't.

Referring to a statement on 6/23 in which McCain acknowledged that new offshore drilling would not affect oil prices for years, Obama said McCain is focused on extolling the "psychological" benefits of drilling. He called McCain's proposed $300M prize for a new electric car battery a "bounty" for "some rocket scientist to win."

The McCain camp responded by saying: "Barack Obama has become the 'Dr. No' of energy, refusing to accept any idea that will contribute to solving America's energy crisis." (Washington Post, 6/25).

On a later conference call, McCain senior economic adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin reiterated the Dr. No argument against Obama. Holtz-Eakin: "In addition to being the Dr. No of energy policy, Barack Obama also has revealed he doesn't understand the fundamentals of a modern financial market and how it's a usual way to convey information to participants in our economy. He dismissed Senator McCain's observation that by making a commitment to expanding domestic exploration, increasing the availability of oil over the five to eight years, that we could have some immediate impact" (release, 6/24).

For more on the back-and-forth, see today's OBAMA story.

Go Tell It On Yucca Mountain

McCain will "tie together energy policy themes he's been talking about for the last week" in Las Vegas today, Holtz-Eakin said 6/24.

McCain's speech at UNLV "comes the day after an Obama visit to Las Vegas to discuss the same topic." Holtz-Eakin: "Senator McCain will be talking about the most important issue facing the country, energy. ... He is dealing with real problems by putting a broad array of solutions on the table. The sad fact is, Americans are disappointed in the eight years of the Bush administration. They're tired of a Congress that can't seem to get things done. Washington is broken, and it's time for an energy policy that puts the national interest above party politics."

Meanwhile, Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) said that if McCain "wants to talk to Nevadans about energy, he ought to explain how he plans to deal with the nuclear waste that would result from the 45 new nuclear reactors he has said he would build" by '30. Berkley: "It's very easy to call for more nuclear energy. But nuclear energy has a dangerous byproduct: radioactive nuclear waste. Mr. McCain has no plan other than storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain" (Ball, Las Vegas Review-Journal, 6/25).

DNC spokesperson Karen Finney also pre-empted McCain's visit with a statement: "Senator McCain's plan for Nevada can by summed up in four words: fewer jobs, more waste" (release, 6/25).

The Outrage Continues Over Something Everyone Acknowledges To Be True

McCain mgr. Rick Davis discussed senior adviser Charlie Black's comments about terrorism (see 6/24 Hotline) on "Morning Joe" today.

Davis, asked if Black is right in that a terrorist attack would be a positive for the McCain camp: "No, Charlie is wrong in his comments and Senator McCain said so the other day, and I'm sure Charlie regrets them."

MSNBC's Scarborough: "Charlie has apologized. Has Senator McCain accepted that apology and will he be staying with the campaign?"

Davis: "Sure. Charlie is not going anywhere. The senator certainly understands that all of us make mistakes in the course of a campaign. It wouldn't be a campaign if that didn't happen" (MSNBC, 6/25).

Meanwhile, the fallout continued:

• Change to Win -- a pro-Obama "umbrella union group" with 6M members (Saltonstall, New York Daily News, 6/25) -- called on McCain to fire Black on 6/24. Exec. dir. Greg Tarpinian called Black's comments "beyond inexcusable," and added: "Change to Win demands that Senator McCain stand by his promise to run for president in a way that does credit to our nation, and fire Charlie Black for his anti-American comments. The memory of our workers and all Americans who died on 9/11 demands it" (release, 6/24).

• The DNC circulated a video of McCain using "the same language as Black in the days and hours following" Bhutto's assassination. DNC spokesperson Karen Finney: "John McCain and Charlie Black may have apologized for Black's awful comments ... but it is deeply disturbing to think that Senator McCain and his top advisors have contemplated using the same Karl Rove style tactics of exploiting fear to win an election" (release, 6/24).

• The Obama camp hosted a conference call featuring adviser/ex-9/11 Commission member Richard Ben-Veniste. He said the camp is not calling for Black's resignation, but added: "The remarks were so out of place that they call for some recalibration in the thinking and perhaps in a greater adherence to principle here in staying away from the politics of fear" (Curl, Washington Times, 6/25).

• Rush Limbaugh said aloud what other GOPers "have been saying privately for months." Black's comments were "obvious," Limbaugh said on his program 6/24. Limbaugh: "We know damn well it's Obama who would seek to appease our enemies. We know damn well it's McCain who won't put up with another attack" (Weisman/Kornblut, Washington Post, 6/25).

• New York Times' Cooper notes, "on some level," Black's "assertion was the logical extension -- if inartfully expressed" -- of the McCain camp's premise that McCain is better suited than Obama "to keep the nation safe from terror. Making that case, of course, can be a balancing act, the challenge being how to position" McCain "as the candidate who will keep Americans safe without seeming to be exploiting their fears" (6/25).

Lay Off That Whiskey And Let That Cocaine Be

McCain will travel to Colombia and Mexico during the Fourth of July cong. recess.

He will travel with "best buddies"/Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT). "The trio will meet with the presidents of each country, as well as Cabinet members, foreign ministers and law enforcement officials." The "topics for discussion include the Colombia Free Trade agreement, which is supported by McCain and opposed by" Obama, "as well as drug interdiction efforts in both countries" (Zuckman, "The Swamp," ChicagoTribune.com, 6/24).

McCain noted to reporters 6/24 that "he has traveled to Colombia before, and he emphasized his strong relationship" with Pres. Alvaro Uribe. McCain: "I know the struggle that nation has undergone. ... It is a vital ally in our struggle against the scourge of drugs, a great amount of cocaine that comes into the United States of America as we know comes from Colombia" (Holmes, "Washington Wire," WSJ.com, 6/24).

McCain also said his camp would pay for the coming trip. McCain: "We'll pay for it because we don't obviously want any criticism from that direction" (Cooper, "The Caucus," NYTimes.com, 6/24).

Phoning It In

McCain "made a pass at" south FL last night, "holding a technologically awkward town hall meeting by phone in which he aggressively courted Jewish voters."

The camp "set the tone with an introduction" by the GOP's "favorite Jewish senator" -- Lieberman. Lieberman "said McCain's support of Israel couldn't be stronger and that he wouldn't take any guff from Iran, which has called for Israel's destruction" (Allison, St. Petersburg Times, 6/24).

During the 50-minute town hall, McCain told the group of Dems and indies in Palm Beach and Broward Co. "that he understands their concerns about high energy costs and a faltering U.S. economy." He "took about a dozen questions on issues that included energy, taxes, health care, national security and education." McCain: "We're going to fix these problems. ... America is the greatest nation in the world, our best days are ahead of us, but these are hard, hard times, particularly for people on fixed income."

During the call, McCain also "defended his proposal" to allow coastal states to decide whether to permit drilling off their shores (Lipman, Palm Beach Post, 6/24).

Random Hearts

McCain plans a town hall meeting in Cincinnati, OH, on 6/26, "where he will meet with undecided voters to make his case."

The town hall will be at Xavier Univ.'s Schmidt Hall. Participants "will be chosen by calling and surveying Cincinnati-area voters. Those who have already decided on a candidate and those who are strongly committed to a political party will be weeded out," camp officials said (Truong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/25).

As USA Today's Jackson notes, McCain aides "say they are hiring specialists to find undecided and not overly partisan voters" -- a "contrast" from '04, when Bush's aides and the Secret Service "screened out opponents and emphasized loyal GOP supporters." McCain strategy dir. Sarah Simmons: "We're looking for voters who are in the undecided category and aren't strong partisans. ... We're talking to voters we can convince."

Direct Response Group of Phoenix "developed the guest list for a town hall last week in St. Paul," and will also do the Cincinnati event. The camp "also plans to use the group for upcoming events" in CA and TX (6/25).

I Wish I Had A Million Dollars ... Hot Dog!

McCain brought his fundraising tour to Riverside, CA, on 6/24, "before heading over to Orange County to collect even more money."

"Tickets at the lunch at the Riverside Convention Center started at" $1K. Diners "got a plate of steak, mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. If they stuck around long enough, they enjoyed a fruit cup." But "one dignitary said he spotted the senator eating some special-order hot dogs at the fundraiser."

"All told," McCain will have collected $3.5M "in the past two days by the time" 6/24 was over. "In the last 60 days," CAans have raised $11.5M for McCain, according to his camp (DeArmond, Riverside Press-Enterprise, 6/24).

Meanwhile, McCain also has several OH fundraisers scheduled over the next few days, including one at the Indian Hill home of Carl Lindner III on 6/26. And after making a campaign stop at Lordstown's GM plant on 6/27, McCain will attend two more fundraisers -- a lunch-time event "in the Youngstown area and a late afternoon event at developer Scott Wolstein's multi-million-dollar estate in Hunting Valley" (Naymik, "Openers," Cleveland.com, 6/24).

Amnesty International

Tom Tancredo sent a letter to McCain on 6/24, "criticizing his recent meeting with Hispanic leaders" in Chicago. Tancredo argued that McCain "reportedly pushed his amnesty agenda" during the meeting.

Tancredo, in the letter: "If you go to the La Raza convention in San Diego and deliver a message that surrenders to their amnesty agenda, tens of millions of Americans who heard your earlier message will feel betrayed -- and rightly so. ... Senator McCain, I ask you to reaffirm your commitment to secure our borders as a precondition for all other immigration reforms, and I hope your immigration rhetoric over the next several months will reflect that commitment -- whether the audience be black or white, Asian or Hispanic" (release, 6/24).

This Little Piggy Went To TV Markets

According to research compiled by one Dem media buyer, McCain is spending roughly $1.5M/week on TV ads across the country, "with an average buy rate of about 400 gross ratings points per market."

The research also "reveals" the McCain camp's priorities. Over the past two weeks, less than $3K was reported to have been spent in the Philly TV market. In contrast, the camp spent $19K in Pittsburgh for the week ending 6/15, and $26K for the week ending 6/23. "They're spending heavily in Erie and Wilkes-Barre" -- two "strongholds" of Reagan Dems.

In MN, the camp "is saturating the Minneapolis-St. Paul market." It is also spending heavily in the Cleveland market and the working class Youngstown, OH, market, "and less so in the more conservative Cincinnati market." The biggest single-market purchase for McCain: Denver, where the camp spent at least $150K last week (Ambinder, TheAtlantic.com, 6/24).

Start Spreading The News, He's Leaving Today

New York Sun's Berman notes that McCain's NY HQ will be in NJ (see 6/24 Hotline), thus "dimming chances for a competitive general election campaign" in NY.

The decision "reflects a nod to sobering poll numbers and limited campaign funds." And it "nonetheless dampens the initial optimism" among NY GOPers that McCain "could make a run at the state by touting his reputation as a maverick" and targeting Dems dejected by Hillary Clinton's defeat (6/25).

If It Keeps On Raining, The Levies' Going To Break

Bloomberg's Shlaes writes, McCain's fiscal program "is hardly disastrous. Or, to put it all in diluvial terms, McCain's levies are like levees. They may look expensive on paper. But they'll provide a valuable infrastructure that will shore up the American house in ways that will prove more than worth it later" (6/25).

Baby, You Can Drive My Car

Author/USA Today contributor Ralph Peters writes, "I support" McCain for POTUS. "But that doesn't mean I support" the GOP. "Had the GOP nominated anyone else this year, I'd be struggling to rationalize a vote" for the Dems in Nov. '08. But "I back McCain because we need integrity, experience and courage in our next president." And "I view" Obama "as a Ferrari without an engine, wonderfully shiny but with nothing under the hood" (6/25).

Straight Talk Express, Answer Me Yes

In an email to supporters, McCain writes: "Our last 'Ride the Bus' contest was such a success, we've decided to launch it again." Any donation made between 6/24 and 6/30 "at midnight" will qualify supporters "to win a seat aboard the Straight Talk Express" (Hotline email, 6/24).

When Johnny McSock Comes Marching Home

UT residents Elizabeth and David Lawson have decided to abandon their idea for a sock monkey modeled after Obama, and will instead be setting up a website "to sell a Johnny McSock Politically Plush Toy," modeled after McCain (Deseret News, 6/25).

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