Barak Obama or John McCain - Which Candidate will Revive the Electric Car?
Posted 02-03-2009 at 01:39 PM by xrotaryguy
Tags barak obama, biofuels, campaign, candidates, clean, diesel, electric vehicle, energy, hybrid, hydrogen, john mccain, phev, race 2008, range extended, senator, solar, sustainable, wind
Big news! U.S. presidential candidates Barak Obama and John McCain are talking about EVs. Finally, American politicians, corporate executives and grassroots advocates all seem to agree that powering cars from clean, affordable and domestic electricity makes sense. However, politicians have talked about electric vehicles before and in the past, the talk did not translate into government support for practical technologies. Will things be different this time? Are the candidates finally committed to electric vehicles?
In a speech at a gas station in Indianapolis, Indiana, Barak Obama told listeners that he was the only candidate for president to propose a $125 billion plan to aid development of existing clean energies such as solar, wind and biodiesel over a ten year period. That's $12.5 billion per year which is several billion more than GM spends in product development every year. In short, that's a hefty chunk of "change".
Also, Obama told a group of Democrats and governors in Chicago that he would invest that same $150 billion over the next 10 years to create green jobs, particularly in the automotive industry and to improve the electricity grid so that people can drive plug-in hybrid vehicles. CalCars, the company that pioneered the plug-in Prius design, responded by saying "Senator Obama has a history of support for PHEVs that goes back to 2005, including his Obama-Insley "Halth Care for Hybrids" bill introduced in 2006... Today's grid is more that adequate to begin plugging in tens of millions of cars."
Senator Obama has met with plug-in vehicle advocates as well. He met with Dr. Larry Brilliant (above left) to discuss Google's plug-in hybrid program. He also met with GM CEO Rick Wagoner in a forum at Carnegie Mellon University. The Illinois senator asked Wagoner what the next president could do to help the nation's ailing automotive industry. Wagoner's response was that the auto industry needed incentives to aid in the development of battery technology for electric vehicles. Considering GM's questionable history regarding EV development, this response is remarkable. Hopefully Senator Obama was listening.
Senator McCain has also made several statements regarding electric cars.
One aspect of his "Clean Car Challenge" proposes a $300 million X-Prize-style reward to any researcher who can develop a battery that exceeds today's batteries by at least 30%. However, CalCars commented on this battery prize saying, "We hope the call for improved batteries doesn't obscure the reality that today's batteries are good enough for Version 1.0 PHEVs." The suggestion is that McCain's challenge could hold up the type of mass production of EVs needed to, in McCain's words, "break the back of oil dependency." Also, $300 million is a tiny sum compared to the annual amount spent on new product development by large car manufacturers.
Whatever the strengths or weaknesses of McCain's battery prize, the Clean Car Challenge would also provide a $5,000 incentive to U.S. auto manufacturers for every zero-emission-vehicle sold. This would give car makers a great opportunity to innovate and accelerate the development of EV manufacturing facilities.
Much of the credit for McCain's strong stance on EV incentives for manufacturers may be due to President Clinton's former CIA director, James Woolsey. Woolsey (wearing the black jacket in the image to the left) is McCain's chief energy advisor and (are you ready for this?) he owns one of A123's early plug-in Prius conversions. As the former head of the CIA it should come as no surprise that he's not into EVs for their green appeal. Rather, he sees cars like his as part of the solution to the war on terror. "We're paying for both sides in this war, and that's not a good long-term strategy," says Woolsey. "I have a bumper sticker on the back of my Prius that reads, 'Bin Laden hates this car.'" In other words, the McCain campaign has a ringer.
The candidates both look relatively strong in this comparison. Senator Obama has pledged a substantial sum for the development of clean energy sources in general and has a history of supporting plug-in electric vehicles. Senator McCain has laid out a plan to support EV development specifically and has hired the help of an experienced pro-EV expert as his primary energy adviser. Of course, no one has any way of knowing which of these candidates is more likely to keep his promises when the campaign is over. Nor can a person say for certain which of these candidates is more likely to succeed in working with Congress on this type of legislation. In any event, this much is certain: the candidates are taking EVs more seriously in this campaign than in any previous and that's a good thing for EV proponents no matter what.
*Any organization or entity that accepts contributions, makes expenditures, or incurs debts in excess of $750 to advocate for or against a candidate or for or against the passage of a ballot issue is defined as a PAC.
Sources:
Kramer, Felix. "Race for Plug-In Cars Shifts to Presidential Campaign; CalCars Responds." Current EVents July 2008: 40-7
Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. Official State of Iowa Web Site 29 July 2008 <http://www.iowa.gov>
GM CEO Rick Wagoner Tells Obama About the Chevy Volt and Gives Financial Assurances. GM-Volt.com. 26 June 2008 <http://gm-volt.com>
Presidential Candidates in Race on PHEV Policies. CalCars.org. 29 July 2008 <http://www.calcars.org>
Oliver, Ben. Oil Warrior: Former CIA chief James Woolsey says if you want to beat Bin Laden. Motor Trend. 29 July 2008 <http://www.motortrend.com>
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Total Comments 223
Comments
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"He just happened to be president during a very tough time."
Plus, his mother knew he couldn't run the gas station, so Billy got it.
"I personally believe that Democrats are better about sustainability issues these days."
Boy, there is a statment to mull over!!!Posted 08-31-2008 at 02:20 PM by Coley 
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For what its worth, I dont subscribe to too many conspiracy theories, but this one I beleive. that with all the oil ties currently in DC that I predicted a sharp drop in prices at the pump in late October of this year (like 2004) to be followed by a rise back to normal after the election.
Based on prices coming down about 50c from the highs here in FL I beleive its beginning....Posted 08-31-2008 at 05:57 PM by todayican
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It's a shame that people use this to renounce socialism... damn shame.Quote:Originally Posted by 59921
Face it once again we don’t have a good choice for prez. Again I must vote for who
I think is the lesser of two evils.
Have a friend in Ill. He said when BHO got elected there was great hope and talk
about what he would do. Friend said he is greatly disappointed in BHO’s performance.
BHO wants to take more of my tax $ and give it to those who are to lazy to work
or not responsible enough to live within their means. If you don’t have much of
an education and you don’t make much $ why should my tax$ go to support you
and your kids?
Damn shame you come across so foolish as well.
Socialism and higher taxes are indefensible by nature, yet you find the only argument from a republican standpoint I think holds no water to most people. You tax money isn't your money anymore to these people, they can spend it on whatever they want (including spending massive groups of homeless people on vacation like they did here last year).
The only virtue is gaining knowledge/understanding the world (not people), it's a crying shame that people view socialism as just a means to "help people" and not for what it really is (thinly masked religious feudalism).Posted 09-01-2008 at 12:19 PM by Technologic
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Quote:Originally Posted by todayican
For what its worth, I dont subscribe to too many conspiracy theories, but this one I beleive. that with all the oil ties currently in DC that I predicted a sharp drop in prices at the pump in late October of this year (like 2004) to be followed by a rise back to normal after the election.
Based on prices coming down about 50c from the highs here in FL I beleive its beginning....
what the hell does that have to do with a conspiracy?
Oil companies (and the nations in the ME) are just like debeers, amazingly corrupted and uncontrolled by any citizenry with a full on monopoly.
Those aren't businesses, just regimes.Posted 09-01-2008 at 12:20 PM by Technologic
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my conspiracy "theory" is that ol George is collaborating with the regimes to price oil low long enough to win anoter 4 years for the republicans...
Posted 09-01-2008 at 03:42 PM by todayican
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Quote:Originally Posted by todayican
my conspiracy "theory" is that ol George is collaborating with the regimes to price oil low long enough to win anoter 4 years for the republicans...
.................................................. ........................ you think 120/barrel is low?Posted 09-01-2008 at 04:13 PM by Technologic
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And he blew up the towers so he could expand his Executive powers.Quote:Originally Posted by todayican
my conspiracy "theory" is that ol George is collaborating with the regimes to price oil low long enough to win anoter 4 years for the republicans...
And he orchestrated the entire Iraq war, singlehandedly convincing both the American public and Congress that Iraq was a huge threat, just to expand America's oil reserves.
And he broke the levees in Louisiana because he hates black people.
And he started a war in Georgia so McCain would look better.
You know, George "Lucifer" Bush has got to be the most clever, intelligent, and ambitious President ever to be able to pull off all these amazing feats.
Bush is either a freaking genius who can control the public at his whim or an idiot that can't pronounce nuclear and has a lot of terrible things happen under his watch.
Pick -one-.Posted 09-01-2008 at 04:16 PM by ClintK
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Im going to go with option 2 with a powerful and connected dad who actually has something going on upstairs.
Posted 09-01-2008 at 04:42 PM by todayican
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Jimmy Carter couldn't pronounce nuclear either and he was supposed to be an expert on the subject......
The first Bush made the mistake in believeing that the Dems would cut spending, if he raised taxes.
Lowering taxes has never failed to produce more revenue, BUT the government needs to CUT SPENDING.
Even JFK knew that a tax cut was the right thing to do. Too bad LBJ helped get him bumped off....
As president, I hope McCain has done his homework....
Obama will be forgotten by January.....Posted 09-01-2008 at 09:34 PM by Coley
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Maybe we should get back to electric cars
Posted 09-01-2008 at 11:04 PM by xrotaryguy
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McCain can't even run a decent campaign, as show by his weak VP pick, how can he run the country? This woman is supposed to be first in line for the most powerful position in the world, and the fact that McCain could have a grabber at any minute doesn't really instill confidence
I don't think he even wants to win this election.Posted 09-02-2008 at 06:18 AM by JRP3
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Pilan is a freaking amazing canidate, in fact, she's near libertarian. I suggest you check on what Obama's VP and Obama himself has done (or ... much more likely... what neither have done, be worth a shit).Quote:Originally Posted by JRP3
McCain can't even run a decent campaign, as show by his weak VP pick, how can he run the country? This woman is supposed to be first in line for the most powerful position in the world, and the fact that McCain could have a grabber at any minute doesn't really instill confidence I don't think he even wants to win this election.
I'm still stunned he picked someone so amazing for VP.... you just need to stop watching the news young one.Posted 09-02-2008 at 09:22 AM by Technologic
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freaking amazingly socially conservative, that is.
Girl wants to drop evolution entirely and teach only creationism in schools. Nice.
"See, you women are only part of a man. You came from a rib."
Can't wait to see what kind of geniuses would be raised out of that generation.Posted 09-02-2008 at 09:24 AM by rbgrn
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Exactly. She's a weak attempt to pander to the religious nut job fundamentalists, who probably think deep down inside that a woman can never lead anyway since she should be subservient to man.
Someone in the Republican party might even have been misguided enough to think she'll bring in some Hilary supporters Simply from a campaigning standpoint McCain has just taken away one if his big points against Obama, the supposed lack of experience. This chick has zero on a national level. Really strong choice for the country. Posted 09-02-2008 at 11:47 AM by JRP3
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The whole thing to me is a joke, but at least Palin has run something (Alaska) unlike obama and biden for that matter, of whom neither has actually run anything from an administrative standpoint.Quote:Originally Posted by JRP3
McCain can't even run a decent campaign, as show by his weak VP pick, how can he run the country? This woman is supposed to be first in line for the most powerful position in the world, and the fact that McCain could have a grabber at any minute doesn't really instill confidence I don't think he even wants to win this election.Posted 09-02-2008 at 01:17 PM by O'Zeeke
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Quote:Originally Posted by rbgrn
freaking amazingly socially conservative, that is.
Girl wants to drop evolution entirely and teach only creationism in schools. Nice.
"See, you women are only part of a man. You came from a rib."
Can't wait to see what kind of geniuses would be raised out of that generation.
Where are the geniuses raised out of our's?
Oh shit ... that's right schools keep lowering test admissions besides the top 10, tier 1 schools.
..... Obama and Biden have ZERO on the national level. Pilan is extremely loved in alaska and produced a TON of positive reforms for them. Kept the government from expanding as well.Quote:Originally Posted by JRP3
Exactly. She's a weak attempt to pander to the religious nut job fundamentalists, who probably think deep down inside that a woman can never lead anyway since she should be subservient to man. Someone in the Republican party might even have been misguided enough to think she'll bring in some Hilary supporters Simply from a campaigning standpoint McCain has just taken away one if his big points against Obama, the supposed lack of experience. This chick has zero on a national level. Really strong choice for the country.
Better than the "first black president of the Harvard law review" that NO ONE can find his LSAT (because it's too low to logically get in I'm sure) NO ONE can find his GPA before magically going from a Tier 4 school to Columbia.
Barack never once wrote anything for the HLR, not to mention the year he was the president is now considered useless by most lawyers for direct reference.
Again you're talking about someone that admitted they didn't take college seriously and did drugs at his Tier 4 school (read: these schools barely have acredidation)
I'll take my chances that barack is a Dbag and Pilan is vastly more qualified as a VP than Barack is for President.
I wish I could magically go from a Tier 4 school to a top 5 school... and then to the best law school in the world with no record of any of my tests.Posted 09-02-2008 at 01:39 PM by Technologic
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i hate for this to be my first post here but,....
it's rather simple once you get past the campaign promises.....
one party will support a solution of huge gov't investment resulting in us HAVING to rely ON the gov't....the more we allegedly "need" them, the longer they stay in office....something like a HUGE($$$$$) public transportation plan comes to mind....
the other will support what ever solution the MARKET chooses, and the market IS choosing alternative energy personal vehicles....such as EVs.Posted 09-02-2008 at 02:55 PM by iowasq
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For crying out loud... you guys know I try to stay away from the political banter, mostly because I'm about as near to the center field as one can realistically get, and I hate arguing because I can see both sides points of view... for the most part...
But let's run this down... with some perspective...
1) Palin was Governor of Alaska. Alaska, by 2007 estimates, is the 47th largest state by population, with a total of 683,478 residents. By comparison, Obama is US Senator for Illinois. The city of Chicago, 3rd largest in the nation, has 4.145 times MORE residents (2,833,321) than all of Alaska. The state of Illinois has 12,852,548 residents, which is 18.8 times as many as Alaska. To say that Palin is in a position of greater power is fallible, imho, as she represents far fewer people and only at a state-wide level, whereas Obama represents far more people at the federal level.
2) Prior to being Governor of Alaska, Palin was mayor of a town with 5,469 residents per the 2000 Census. Prior to being US Senator, Obama was a State Legislator, representing the 13th Congressional District of Illinois, which is comprised of southwest Chicago, with a population of 781,037.
3) Palin was first elected into the city council in 1992. It wasn't until 1996 that she was elected as Mayor, beginning her term in 1997. Obama was first elected into his state senate position in 1996, beginning service in 1997.
4) Palin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and Journalism from the University of Idaho, and minored in Political Science. Obama attended Occidental College, earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, and went on to earn his law degree (Magna cum laude) from Harvard Law School, and was the first african-american to serve as president of the Harvard Law Review.
These 4 points don't even touch on the views of either person- they serve only as a basis for understanding the ultimate qualifications of these two people.
IMHO, I'd rather have the vastly more experienced and better educated person voted into office, than to have the vastly less experience and lesser educated person ushered into office due to McCain's health and/or death.Posted 09-02-2008 at 03:52 PM by TX_Dj
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Double thumbs up to that post!
Posted 09-02-2008 at 03:54 PM by rbgrn
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Thanks, Robert.
Now... if we want to put a political slant on any of that... or if we want to sling some mud around...
I could point out that Palin is a bonafide book banner, having wanted to ban books from the alaska public and school libraries because she didn't approve of the content and/or language. (Nothing better than a VP who doesn't value the first amendment, right?)
And of course the mud is all over the news right now with people speculating whether "Trig" is actually her child or her daughter's child.... and how on earth she could have been so reckless as to travel by plane in her condition, even if she was a month away from her due date... or how reckless she was to have had her water break before giving a speech here in Dallas and not go to a hospital until after taking two plane trips to get back to a hospital in Alaska.
And while I'm all in favor of women in politics, I just have to point out that many have credited Geraldine Ferraro's presence on Walter Mondale's ticket in 1984 as a leading reason for his failure to win. Could the same hold true for McCain?
And furthermore, several have doubts about McCain's judgment... and he's now picked a female running mate with little experience and much controversy... When someone like Kay Bailey Hutchinson from Texas may have been a more experienced and less controversial female VP choice... With Hutchinson's political career stretching back to the early '70's.
As far as I'm concerned, the McCain campaign is making a mockery of executive branch politics...Posted 09-02-2008 at 04:16 PM by TX_Dj
