McCain [most absent U.S. senator]: ‘I Have Not Missed Any Crucial Vote’ On Energy Legislation (lie)

[ProSense]

McCain: ‘I Have Not Missed Any Crucial Vote’ On Energy Legislation

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) currently holds the title of most absent U.S. senator, missing over 60 percent of votes this session. In an interview with Walter Isaacson at the Aspen Institute yesterday, McCain claimed he has not “missed any crucial vote” on energy legislation:

McCAIN: I have a long record of that support of alternate energy. … I’ve always been for all of those and I have not missed any crucial vote. But my citizens in Arizona know that when I’m running for the President of the United States I have to be out campaigning.

Watch it (via Progressive Accountability):

(Video)

McCain’s has actually missed several “crucial” energy votes. In July alone, he missed every single energy vote brought to the floor. This session, McCain has skipped votes supporting renewable energy tax credits four times, all of which were filibustered. In June, for example, McCain missed a vote on the landmark Lieberman-Warner climate change legislation.

McCain has also been the “crucial” absent vote on key legislation. In December, legislation stripping tax break giveaways to Big Oil and investing in cleaner sources failed by one vote, 59-40; McCain missed that vote to campaign. In February, McCain skipped a vote on extending tax credits to renewables, which also failed by one vote.

more

[ProSense]

1. This should be highlighted for the remainder of the GE. n/t

[KAZ]

2. As always, K&R. Thank you Pro!

[Canuckistanian]

3. The energy votes he DID show up for are a joke

http://www.politicususa.com/en/Obama-McCain-Arnold

The Obama campaign put out a memo about John McCain’s appearance with California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger pressing him to ask John McCain about his support of offshore drilling, which he opposes.

McCain is holding his event near the site of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, which is credited with launching the modern U.S. environmental movement, but McCain has voted dozens of times against alternative energy, and energy efficiency. Here is a list of McCain’s votes against tax credits for alternative energy, (HR 6, Vote 425, 12/13/07, Failed 59-40: R 9-39 D 48-1 I 2-0; HR 1836, Vote 125, 5/21/01, Failed 43-56: R 0-49 D 43-7; S 1429, Vote 246, 7/30/99, Failed 23-77: R 18-36 D 4-41 I 1-0; Forbes, 12/13/07).

Here is a list of McCain votes against alternative fuel mandates, (HR 6, Vote 139, Passed 70-26: R 38-14, D 32-12, I 0-0, 6/15/05; HR 6, Vote 138, 6/15/05, Passed 69-28: R 39-14, D 30-14, I 0-0; S 150, Vote 73, 4/29/04, Failed 40-59: R 2-49, D 37-10, I 1-0; S 150, Vote 74, 4/29/04, Failed 55-43: R 39-12, D 16-30, I 0-1; S 14, Vote 207, 6/5/03, Failed 26-69: R 12-37, D 14-31, I 0-1; S 14, Vote 203, 6/3/03, Failed 35-60: R 19-31, D 16-28, I 0-1; S 14, Vote 204,6/3/03, Failed 34-62: R 21-30, D 13-31, I 0-1; S 517, Vote 88, 4/25/02, Passed 60-39: R 28-20, D 31-19, I 1-0, 4/25/2002; S 517, Vote 78, 4/23/02, Passed 69-30: R 31-17, D 37-13, I 1-0).

It is ridiculous for McCain to claim that he is in favor of energy efficiency when he has a lengthy record, listed above, of opposition on the issue. He and Arnold both used to be moderate Republicans, but McCain has morphed into a neo-con. McCain can talk about energy efficiency all he wants, but his record shows that he doesn’t believe in it, and provides another reason why voters should not believe in him.

[KittyWampus]

4. seems like an ad waiting to happen