McCain in Iowa
November 6, 2007
• By Matthew Continetti
Yesterday John McCain delivered a strong anti-ethanol subsidy speech in Iowa:
Many Iowans have heard that I oppose federal subsidies for ethanol production. Some of you will have heard that I oppose a protective tariff against sugar-based ethanol imports from places like Brazil. Some of my opponents will describe my positions as opposition to American ethanol producers or, for some inexplicable reason, a personal dislike of Iowa. Neither is true, of course, and I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight. But I have always believed before you can win someone's vote, you have to earn their respect. And I intend to earn your respect by being honest with you.
Yes, I oppose subsidies. Not just ethanol subsidies. Subsidies. And not just in Iowa either. I oppose them in my own state of Arizona. I am a proud of the conservative tradition that the government can sometimes best serve the interests of the American people by knowing when to stay out of their way. And I've always been reluctant to grow the size of government to do the business of the American people for them or to favor one industry over another or because one sector of our economy has better lobbyists than another. I want the government to do its job, not your job, to do it better and to do it with less of your money. I want our economy to grow, not the size of government. And I don't want government to divert resources from the growing industries that hold the key to America's continued economic success. Excessive and intrusive regulation undermines the flexibility needed for business success.
A friend notes that this speech may be laying the predicate for McCain's abandonment of his Iowa campaign. If McCain then devotes his full resources to New Hampshire, this friend further notes, it is possible he will repeat his 2000 victory and - depending of course (as assumed) on the Iowa result five days before - be in a position to capture the Republican nomination. It's a risky strategy. But the reward is great.
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