Kris Alingod - AHN News Writer
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) continued to focus his campaign on global warming on Monday. The Republican nominee also indirectly criticized President George Bush for "eight years" of failing to fully address the issue.
"Our economy depends upon clean and affordable alternatives to fossil fuels, and so, in many ways, does our security," McCain said at the Vestas Wind Energy Training Facility in Oregon. "A large share of the world's oil reserves is controlled by foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart. And as our reliance on oil passes away, their power will vanish with it."
McCain pushed for a cap-and-trade reform that will let rural businesses receive market-based payments instead of government subsidies as rewards for reduced carbon emissions. He proposed to decrease emissions to 2005 levels by 2012, and by 1990 levels by 2020. "I will not permit eight long years to pass without serious action on serious challenges," he also said. "I will not accept the same dead-end of failed diplomacy that claimed Kyoto. The United States will lead and will lead with a different approach -- an approach that speaks to the interests and obligations of every nation."
McCain began stumping about his environmental record last week while campaigning in .New Jersey. Senior aide Charles Black is quoted by ABC as saying the campaign is focusing on the environment in order to appeal to younger voters.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) met the Republican's proposal with its usual contempt and accused McCain of doubletalk in a statement emailed to supporters.
"No campaign rhetoric can change his record," DNC Chairman Howard Dean said. "For Senator McCain, protecting the environment has taken a backseat to giving his donors sweetheart deals, appointing radical right wing judges who would gut environmental regulations, and voting against key environmental protection efforts. For voters looking for a true champion of the environment, John McCain is the wrong choice."
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