John McCain

May 14, 2008 -- SEIU today sent a third “Dear John” letter to Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president. SEIU members are offering their assistance in the absence of any economic blueprint from McCain and will continue sending letters until he meets with them and presents proposals that put working families first.

In the letter, Roselilly Story, a registered nurse from Gulfport, Florida and member of SEIU Healthcare Florida, suggests how McCain can address one of the major economic concerns working families have - the high cost of health care. When McCain stopped in the Tampa area to release his health care plan, Story participated in a news conference highlighting the plan’s shortcomings.

“Dear John,    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- Kansas Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson is voicing his concern with the Air Force’s decision to outsource American military tankers to French-based Airbus.

“There are simply too many questions related to economic impact, national security, construction costs, mission capabilities and above all, the integrity of the Air Force’s selection process, to allow this decision to go unchallenged,” Parkinson said. “The Air Force’s decision to send a $35 billion contract - the second largest in U.S. history - and 19,000 jobs to Europe is not only bad for American workers, but a threat to our long-term national security.”    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- John McCain says he "will not leave office without balancing the federal budget." But an analysis by the non-partisan FactCheck.org reveals McCain's plan is "full of holes" and doesn't even add up. According to FactCheck.org, McCain's "pronouncement on cutting spending, and even the growth in size of the federal government, are dubious at best." His claims about cutting earmarks wouldn't produce the savings he intends, and he has been "vague" about the specific programs he would cut. On top of this, his campaign has backed off his no-earmarks pledge, the central aspect of his budget plan. [johnmccain.com, accessed 5/13/08; FactCheck.org; 5/13/08]    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- Reverend John Hagee today apologized for his offensive comments about Catholics. Despite spending a year courting Hagee's endorsement and refusing to distance himself from the controversial pastor, John McCain reportedly played no role in the apology. McCain has repeatedly refused to publicly denounce Hagee's discriminatory comments about women, African-Americans, America Muslims or LGBT Americans or renounce Hagee's endorsement.

John McCain in front of his campaign bus, the "Straight Talk Express": Photo by Howie Luvzus (CC)    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- John McCain says that on environmental issues we must "act quickly." But a look at his record tells a very different story. In recent years when McCain had the chance to act to help the environment, he instead cast votes in the Senate against important environmental protections or skipped critical votes on important environmental initiatives and policies like stopping tax giveaways to big oil, increasing CAFE standards, or preventing waters off the U.S. coast from opening up for oil drilling.    » read more »

Cape Girareau, MO -- May 13, 2008 -- It's great to be here in Missouri with my good friend Claire McCaskill. This is a state that voted for change when you sent Claire to the Senate in 2006; you voted for change in February when we surprised the pundits and pulled out a victory; and this is a state where we will compete to win when I am the Democratic nominee for President.

Barack Obama speaks at Cape Girareau Town Hall, Missouri: Photo by Barack Obama campaign    » read more »

Statement of Sierra Club Executive Director, Carl Pope

May 12, 2008 -- "While Senator McCain deserves credit for his work on early global warming legislation in the Senate and for bringing attention to the need for urgent action, his plan is driven by yesterday's solutions and they won't solve tomorrow's problems.

Oil rig: Photo by Doc Searls (CC)

The science on global warming has changed dramatically over the last five years and Senator McCain's previous bill and current proposals are outdated and fail to provide the big changes Americans are demanding."    » read more »

May 12, 2008 -- On the campaign trail John McCain casts himself as a conservationist and environmentalist, saying we have a "sacred duty to be proper stewards of the resources upon which the quality of American life depends." Yet at the same time, McCain's fundraisers and advisers helping his campaign have been on the wrong side of the issues.

Oil refinery

And a little investigation reveals that the lobbyists raising money for and running McCain's campaign have earned $13.1 million dollars lobbying for oil companies and worked for companies responsible for oil spills, water and air pollution. [johnmccain.com, accessed 5/11/08]    » read more »

5/12/2008 -- "Senator McCain's proposal simply does not go far enough to address the growing threat that the climate crisis poses to our children and grandchildren. Real leadership means taking this problem head on with a comprehensive, science-based plan instead of halfway measures.

Hillary Clinton: Photo by Keith Kissel (CC)

While Senator McCain's proposals may be improvement on President Bush's, that’s not saying much."

Source: Hillary Clinton campaign

May 12, 2008 -- Today, In Oregon, John McCain Addressed The Threat Of Global Climate Change And Outlined His Strategy To Lead America To Meet Its Obligations As A Steward Of This Planet. John McCain will establish a market-based system to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mobilize innovative technologies, and strengthen the economy.

John McCain: Photo courtesy John McCain campaign

He will work with our international partners to secure our energy future, to create opportunities for American industry, and to leave a better future for our children.

John McCain's Principles For Climate Policy:    » read more »

12 May 2008 -- The U.S. military in Iraq says it has killed three gunmen who attacked American patrols in Baghdad's Sadr City district despite a ceasefire deal for the district.

U.S. officials reported several incidents Sunday evening and Monday morning.

US soldiers enter Sadr City, March, 2007: US Army photo

Residents of Sadr City say the overall level of violence has dropped since Iraq's government announced the ceasefire deal on Saturday.

The truce was negotiated by Iraq's main Shi'ite political bloc and representatives of Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. His militia has a stronghold in Sadr City.    » read more »

Menendez has led efforts in the Senate to defeat plans that would open up drilling less than 100 miles from New Jersey

May 9, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John McCain will be in New Jersey for a press conference on the topic of the environment. While he is in the state, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) is challenging him to denounce a plan that would open up drilling for oil and natural gas less than 100 miles from the Jersey Shore.    » read more »

May 9, 2008 -- On the same day John McCain gave a speech aimed at repositioning himself as a "moderate" for the general election by claiming to be a "conservationist," the Washington Post highlights Senator McCain's true priorities. According to the report, Senator McCain reversed himself and backed legislation resulting in a land swap that allowed one of his biggest donors to develop federal park land despite concerns from forestry officials that the deal would short-change taxpayers.

John McCain: Photo by Howie Luvzus (CC)    » read more »

May 9, 2008 -- John McCain says he wants to spend the American people's "hard earned money wisely" and that "[e]armarks restrict America's ability to address genuine national priorities." But the truth is, McCain's economic proposals have been anything but responsible and have ignored many national priorities.

A John McCain supporter walks behind an SUV in Arlington, VA: Photo by Adam Fagen (CC)    » read more »