John McCain pushes today for more usage of nuclear power:
"John McCain's visit to a nuclear power plant, the first in recent history by a presidential candidate, highlights the promise and peril of a technology that is a key component of his sweeping plan to help the country overcome its energy crisis. The Fermi II nuclear plant near Monroe [Michigan], named for the first physicist to split the atom, is home to both an operating power plant and another reactor that had a partial meltdown in the 1960s. It was decommissioned in 1972, while its successor continues to operate. McCain, who is set to visit the plant Tuesday, is placing great stock in modern-day nuclear technology by calling for the construction of 45 nuclear power plants by 2030. The Republican argues that its carbon-free power generation is necessary to reduce the country's reliance on oil imports and part of any realistic energy program. And he says exposing its expanded use, as Democratic rival Barack Obama has suggested, shows naivete. "I am going to lead our nation to energy independence and I'm going to do it with a realistic and comprehensive 'all-of-the-above' approach that uses every resource available to finally solve this crisis," the Arizona senator said Monday."
It does appear that on this issue, he's listening to conservatives. That's good. Now, if only he can work on his immigration position...
UPDATE: By the way, how do we know that offshore drilling and policies to increase our energy supply are popular? Simple--we look at what Democrats, who can read polls as well as anyone else, are saying and doing, both publicly and privately. For example, see what The Politico is reporting today:
"California Democrat Nancy Pelosi may be trying to save the planet — but the rank and file in her party increasingly are just trying to save their political hides when it comes to gas prices as Republicans apply more and more rhetorical muscle. But what looks like intraparty tension on the surface is part of an intentional strategy in which Pelosi takes the heat on energy policy, while behind the scenes she’s encouraging vulnerable Democrats to express their independence if it helps them politically, according to Democratic aides on and off Capitol Hill."
Conservatives and Republicans must keep pounding away on this.
