Posted on 03/07/2015 4:08:04 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Des Moines — Only weeks after taking this key state in the presidential race by surprise, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker defended his front-runner status in Iowa by pledging to support a federal ethanol mandate, shifting his position on renewable fuels at a Republican roundup on farm issues.
The GOP governor and a lineup of other major potential presidential contenders — including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush — took the stage before hundreds of spectators and media at the Iowa Ag Summit at the state fairgrounds here.
In the moderated discussion with ethanol entrepreneur Bruce Rastetter, Walker dropped his previous flat opposition to ethanol mandates, offering a new stance that's well-suited to a state covered in cornfields. Walker signaled he now favors keeping the mandate for now and phasing it out over time — without saying over what period of time.
"I do believe it's an access issue so it's something I'm willing to go forward on renewing a (federal) Renewable Fuel Standard...so farmers going forward planting crops know what the standard is," Walker said, adding that he wanted to "get to a point where you address some of those market access issues...so you no longer need some of the subsidies."
Walker, a past critic of ethanol, acknowledged in January that he would have to spell out his position on the issue as part of his likely presidential bid. In another key issue for Iowa, Walker said that he favored drawing down federal tax credits for wind power over time.
"This is one of those where I believe it's served its purpose," Walker said of the credits. "I would support phasing that out over a period of time."(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
Thanks for pointing out that energy subsidies are part of federal funding bills that are created and passed by CONGRESS, not the president. Walker’s reply is a good one, I’ve favored the phase-out of subsidies for several years, especially for corn ethanol and utility-scale wind, which have served the intended purpose and the industry no longer needs (although the lure of ‘free money’ remains stong). Other subsidies and RFS including small wind (residential scale), utility-scale solar, and biodiesel should be dropped immediately because those technologies are technologically infeasible and thus all the mandates do is create artificial demand.
I’ve also talked directly with farmers who have families to support and bills to pay, who agree with the decrease in subsidies (for typical farmers they are not a big deal), but they need a transition period rather than cold-turkey. Walker again shows a good command of policy and position that will resonate with the vast majority of conservative voters.
What is your gut feeling about watching a Walker-Cruz debate? Who would you expect to win?
How are you going to end it immediately?
Thing is, I take my tag line VERY seriously. I think there is barely a dimes worth of difference between the two parties now and this whole election is probably mostly theater. I’m not playing. They either stand on strong conservative, limited government principle, or they don’t get my vote. And the ethanol mandate is a textbook example of what is wrong with our FedGov. Anyone for it or even for “phasing it out” will not get my vote. Period.
That's really a non-sequitur. All Walker has to do is list his accomplishments as head of a state, and juxtapose it with Cruz's fiery speeches but dead-end legislation in his 2.5 years in the Senate.
Wisconsin newspaper and we are at the time that candidates are seeking open wallets. Really, this is little more than just a slightly non-story hit piece.
To avoid shock to the markets. A couple or three years would be right IMO.
Walker’s remarks from another article:
“Walker said he viewed the RFS as an access issue. “So it’s something I’m willing to go forward on, continuing the Renewable Fuel Standard and pressing the EPA to make sure that there’s certainty in terms of levels set,” said Walker, adding that he would like to see market access issues addressed in the long term and voicing support for blender pumps. “Right now we don’t have a free and open market,” he said”
Suspect this would make sense to someone “in the biz” LOL!
Most reports say Cruz made a good impression even standing firm against Ethanol mandates. That’s doing pretty good!
Thanks.
Happy to help.
Am I supposed to hate Walker because of this news or what? I just want to stay ideologically pure/perfect.
I'm not worried about ethanol. I'm worried about illegals aliens, Islamic terrorists, Obamacare, and gun control. This is not the fight right now.
Personally am looking for a Conservative to run for President.
Well, good luck. I'm sure Jeb, Rubio, Christie, Huckabee, Paul, and Carson will advise.
OK... that made me laugh...
Seriously, what exactly is the problem with Walkers position of phasing subsidies out over time, it's a prudent position...
CRUZ
What was wrong with Romney and Kerry’s positions on all their pandering?
Well, you should as Iowa is a major breadbasket to the country...
A dead drop date will bankrupt many of the farmers...
They have millions invested in equipment, land, seed...
Fallow fields feed nobody...
BTW, I'm all for cutting them slowly and then cut them off at some point, but let's do it smartly, not reactionary..
I understand the political realities behind that answer. But history has proven that sort of vague timetable to be complete crapolla. Ain't gonna happen
So why does Iowa rule this country anyway?
Politicians sell out the entire country for a thousand or two votes from Iowa. WTH?
Iowa is a joke. Ethanol subsidy addicts in the fields and illegal aliens in the meatpacking mega-plants.
Not real sure how you connect Walkers position of phasing out subsidies over time with Romney and Kerry’s positions on all their pandering?
Walker wasn't pandering...pandering would be I'm all for your Iowans sucking off the government teat ad infinitum...
I don’t consider this a good platform change for him or any genuine conservatives. Or even ecology-minded stewards. Ethanol-laden gas is worse for the environment than just pure gas.
Your priorities, and mine are similar, but you want everybody to abide strictly by yours apparently.
I’ll back Cruz heretofore.
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