Should we start or end with a face palm?From Real Clear Politics
On his first trip back to the nation’s first voting state as a soon-to-be declared presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney reaffirmed his support for federal ethanol subsidies — an always important campaign issue in Iowa that figures to take on an even more central role in the divided GOP field.
“I support the subsidy of ethanol,” Romney told a potential voter after an event here was cut short by a fire alarm. “I believe ethanol is an important part of our energy solution in this country.”
Understandably, he is saying this in Iowa, a big grower of corn for food fuel, and needs to pander. Personally, I prefer Jersey corn, which is so sweet and tasty and goes great with a grilled steak with a bit of Montreal spicy seasoning…..drool…..OK, moving back to the here and now, this isn’t a particularly wise idea outside of Iowa, as conservatives, and even some liberals (such as the NY Times) are realizing that corn based ethanol is a particularly bad idea. It is an inadequate substitute for oil, it produces more greenhouse gases than oil, and it is one of the major causes in escalating food prices.
On one hand, you have to admire Romney sticking to his guns. You pretty much know what you’ll get with him: a good businessman, a good leader, but another big government Republican with some liberal leanings. On the other hand, that didn’t help him get the nomination in 2008, and could hurt him in 2012.
Is there really a fundamental difference between Obama and Romney?
Normally, pushing for ethanol subsidies is beyond me. It is an environmental disaster that makes food prices skyrocket. It is not sustainable and it certainly doesn’t make sense financially. However, Romney is going to support anything that could get him elected.
A blind man could see that ethanol and biodiesel scams are being handed their hat and shown the door so this guy is just plain dumb. The repealing of subsidies will not stop the ethanol scam, we need a leader who will end the mandates. Without the nandates and subsidies ethanol would be done that day. The Iowa farmers (and special interest) are like children who want ice cream before dinner no responsible parent would give into this but our government is neither responsible nor a good parent.