Senator John McCainRepublican Party

Desmog Rating

4/10

Senator McCain has set out a positive plan that includes clear commitments and goals to future greenhouse gas reductions. That said; there are justifiable concerns about his willingness to provide carbon permits free to industry under McCain's version of a cap-and-trade program.

Overall, the plan falls well short of what is being proposed by Senator Barack Obama.

Outside of McCain's proposal, there are concerns with McCain's running mate, Alaska governor Sarah Palin who recently stated that she's "not one though who would attribute it to being man-made." It is also worth noting that McCain has dropped messaging about his proposed climate policies from his public speeches. There are also concerns around Senator McCain's support for offshore drilling, producing electricity from coal.

Finally, while he has "talked the talk," the League of Conservation Voters gave McCain a ZERO in their latest report card based on his absence from voting on all major climate change and environmental bills presented in the Senate.