May 07, 2007
More Inbox, Outbox 5/7: Obama's Energy Speech, New Polls
Sen. Barack Obama's environmental policy address today didn't break any new ground -- he's well in the mainstream of his presidential colleagues -- but it did pick up plaudits from Arnold Schwarzenneger, and his tough talk for the hometown auto industry won him a strong Detroit News write up. Because this blog feels guilty about not writing too much about policy -- though, in our defense, we like to write about policies with political consequences in the primaries -- we'll dutifully paste in the key points from Obama's speech today.
Fuel Economy Standards: Despite tremendous technological innovation in the auto industry, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for cars have been held hostage to ideological battles in Washington for 20 years. Barack Obama introduced a bold new plan, bringing together long-time opponents to gradually increase fuel economy standards while protecting the financial future of domestic automakers. Obama’s plan would establish a target of four percent increase each year - unless the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proves the increase is technologically unachievable, hurts safety, or is not cost-effective. If the target is met for ten years, Obama’s plan will save 1.3 million barrels of oil per day and 20 billion gallons of gasoline per year.Help for Consumers: Under current law, tax credits are available for consumers who buy hybrids—but only if they buy one of the first 60,000 ultra-efficient vehicles produced by a given manufacturer. Barack Obama would lift the 60,000-per-manufacturer cap on buyer tax credits to allow more Americans to buy ultra-efficient vehicles.
Help for Manufacturers: U.S. automakers are facing retiree health costs that add $1,500 to the cost of every GM car. They are struggling to afford investments in hybrid technology. Obama would encourage automakers to make fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles by helping the companies shoulder the health care costs of their retirees. Domestic automakers will get health care assistance in exchange for investing 50 percent of the savings into technology to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. In addition, Obama would provide automakers with generous tax incentives for retooling assembly plants.
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Ok -- back to the sugar.
2. Polls! A CNN/Opinion Research poll has Rudy Giuliani edging John McCain 25-23% and Hillary Clinton leading Barack Obama 38-24%. Fred Thompson places third on the GOP side with 13%, and Al Gore and John Edwards tie for third among Dems with 12% each (release).
3. Justin Hart, Romney blogger/donor extraordinaire, has a creative way to tout a new WBZ/SurveyUSA poll showing Romney in the lead in NH.
4. Why did NH Gov. John Lynch, a Dem, address NH College Republicans last week? Just asking...
Posted at 04:06 PM
Comments
Interesting how there is not mention of Romney in the CNN poll. McCain, Giuliani and Thompson...hmmm.
AZGOPgal | 05.07.07 05:18 PM
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> Because this blog feels guilty about not
> writing too much about policy
Oh, don't. You make up for it by writing about John Edwards' haircut --- now that's journalism.
goethean | 05.07.07 06:49 PM
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