McCain Supports Tax Breaks For Oil Industry -- But Not For Wind Power

[ProSense]

McCain Supports Tax Breaks For Oil Industry -- But Not For Wind Power

By Greg Sargent - August 12, 2008, 2:55PM

Here's something else that could create political complications for John McCain in key swing states as he continues to defend measures that would maintain tax breaks for the oil industry: He recently opposed extending tax breaks for the wind-power industry.

Making this more difficult for McCain, the fledgling wind-power industry is popular in key upper Midwest and central plains states -- and here you have McCain protecting such tax breaks for Big Oil, but opposing them for Big Wind, or, if you prefer, Little Wind.

McCain recently voted against the big $300 billion farm bill, which itself is extremely popular throughout the upper midwest, describing the bill as "a $300 billion, bloated, pork-barrel-laden bill" because of subsidies for industries like ethanol.

But in a little-noticed development, the bill also contained a measure extending a tax break for developing wind power, which McCain specifically opposed. Obama backed it. According to Senator Tom Harkin, an Obama ally, the wind energy industry is employing close to 2,000 people, some concentrated in those key swing states. It's little local issues like these that can move votes in states where the voting is expected to be extremely close.

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Late Update: To clarify, the wind-power trade group says the industry overall employs 50,000 people. Harkin likely meant they employ 2,000 people in Iowa specifically.

[niyad]

1. would that this clueless cretin would get exactly what he deserves.

[whistle]

2. That's a real economic incentive there John, more predatory capitalism

[Enthusiast]

3. Exactly. What an idiot. More of the same. nt

[Hope And Change]

4. K & R!