McCain backs cap-and-trade...and nukes too (and takes a swipe at President Bush)

In a speech that shows him distancing himself from President Bush, Republican presidential nominee John McCain today promised to do a lot more to battle global warming than the current administration has. His speech speech at an Oregon wind-turbine factory seemed aimed at appealing to Democrats and independent voters, according to the Associated Press.

McCain called for a cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions -- but also said he thinks nuclear energy is a clean alternative that would help reduce carbon, a position that usually gives environmentalists serious heartburn.

McCain's swipe at Bush was far from subtle: " “I will not permit eight long years to pass without serious action on serious challenges…  The United States will lead.”

McCain's proposed cap-and-trade is similar to the position taken by Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton -- though not identical, notes an analysis by the Wall Street Journal.

"Sens. Obama and Clinton, also back legislation to cap carbon-dioxide emissions and to allow for trading credits, but they favor an approach that is much tougher on major carbon emitters," the Journal points out.

As the Boston Globe notes, "McCain is also airing a new TV ad in Oregon, which is shaping up as a battleground state in the fall, on the issue. The ad argues that he offers a 'better way' between those who deny climate change is real and those who want to increase taxes to solve it."

Still, while McCain has long been speaking out about global warming, his environmental record is, as the Journal puts it, complicated: "In July 2003, he voted against Democrats' proposal to raise fuel-economy standards for cars and light trucks to 40 miles a gallon by 2015. In June 2005, he voted against a congressional proposal to establish a renewable-electricity standard of 10% by 2020. In December, he was the only senator to miss a vote on whether to funding extension of tax credits for renewable energy by eliminating billions of dollars in tax deductions for oil companies."

But, in another break with Bush, "McCain has opposed the administration's call to open parts of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling."

Like the Journal, the Washington Post runs a lengthy analysis today of McCain's environmental record, quoting one source as calling him "unpredictable" and "erratic" on what he will and will not support.