The goal was to make wind politically "toxic,"...

[grantcart]

86. This is a much larger story than people realize. On August 2nd Romney lost the election on this

one issue.

Romney came out against the subsidy.

That was the end of the election for all practical purposes.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014183554#post16

I don't live in a rural area but I have relatives who do and one is an attorney. One of the most recent little constant jobs he gets is helping the farmers get the maximum rate for putting in a wind turbine. They don't make a lot but even an additional $ 1000 a month is a big deal for a farmer that has to go through times when there is no cash coming in waiting for harvest or waiting for the season to start.

The most stunning point of the campaign was when the Republican Nominee came out against wind subsidy. Do they not understand anything about their rural base?

At that point there was no possibility of a Romney win, he had to turn some states red and Iowa was a must turn.

Problem is that Iowa leads the country in wind turbines on farm land:

http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/smart-energy-solutions/increase-renewables/farming-the-wind-wind-power.html

Working with Wind Developers
One of the easiest and most attractive ways for farmers to benefit from wind power is to allow developers to install large wind turbines on their land. The royalties are typically around $2,000 to $5,000 per year for each turbine, depending on its size. These payments can provide a stable supplement to a farmer's income, helping to counteract swings in commodity prices.

So when the Republicans come out against the wind subsidy they are giving the state to the Democrats. Obama won Iowa by 90,000 votes, approximately the number of farmers and their families that are directly related to the wind subsidy in Iowa.

Moreover their explanation is absurdly cynical.

Their main argument: Wind is too costly and should compete on a "level playing field" rather than survive on "handouts."

To that I have a single word answer:

Ethanol

Don't think that the people of Iowa saw right thru that one?

I know that they have lost touch with their rural base, but for god sake don't they know how to use google?