The Economy Stupid

When Bill Clinton was seeking his first elected term in office, his advisers told him to steer clear of any security issues and to focus on the economy. James Carvil nicely summed it up in the phrase, "its the economy, stupid." Voters and vote seekers almost always make their decisions based on how fat their wallet feels.

With that in mind, its easy to see why both candidates are market liberals. To be anything else would be political suicide as the vast majority of the populace and, more importantly, all of the large donating firms believe in the power and rectitude of market forces. Therefore, it is not surprising that both McCain and Obama's environmental platforms are predicated on market influence and ingenuity. While Obama's is more progressive -goals for fuel efficiency, auction based cap and trade system and tax incentives for biofuel production and research- it is still fundamentally based on the idea that if the price raises high enough -be it through government taxation or simple market economics- a solution will be found through necessity.

Of the two, it seems that Obama has the more clearly defined viewpoint in that he offers far more explicit goals and targets for achievement. His platform would require polluters to pay for the right to pollute and would push for increased fuel efficiency and search for new forms of energy. And while I think it would be wise for Obama to support nuclear energy more whole heartedly, his position on the environment seems more well thought out and considered than the McCain plan.

For an easy side by side look at the campaign positions visit:
http://www.grist.org/candidate_chart_08.html