Can somebody from MA tell me why Kerry voted for the ethanol

[Mass]

amendment alone among New England senators?

[TayTay]

1. I don't know

But i did see that it was not partisan. The vote was mixed with lots of Dems and Repubs crossing lines.

See Here: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00139

I do see that Sens Kennedy & Boxer voted the same as Sens. Sununu & Gregg. It was a mixed vote. (No)

[Mass]

2. No, it is regional

The states that have corn voted for it, the ones that do not have corn opposed it, basically (as it is both a bill that has good intentions and a pack of pork for the midwest).

No criticism here. I was just wondering if there is an explanation (except the one that will come soon enough).

[whometense]

3. I happened to witness

an argument on this subject yesterday afternoon between Harkin and Schumer. Both made reasonable arguments, so I can see why Kerry might have voted for it.

Schumer's main argument against it was that New Yorkers would be forced to subsidize a product that would be of no use to them (too expensive to transport ethanol to the NE).

Harkin answered that there are X (forget the number, but it was quite large) number of ethanol plants being built right now in NY, so that New Yorkers would have the benefit of decreased dependence on foreign oil without the additional shipping expense.

Perhaps Kerry bought Harkin's argument. It made sense to me, though I don't know all the ins and outs of the subject.

[TayTay]

4. Well, that would be consistent

With what he has argued before.

[Mass]

5. I did not like Schumer's argument too much

as it sounded more as a lobbyist for oil companies than anything else.

Just curious. I am wondering if this has to do with the amendment Jeffords and him are proposing as Jeffords has not voted on this bill.

[whometense]

6. I know approximately zero

about the backstory, just what I saw and heard. It was quite hilarious to watch, as Schumer and Harkin were quite heated, but very friendly, and kept referring to each other drolly and a tad sarcastically (in a dry humor nice way) as "my dear friend", etc. The fact that they clearly like each other made it all the more funny.

[Mass]

7. Tha was particularly funny.

[fedupinBushcountry]

8. I think

this goes back to the campaign and when ethanol was brought up, at first I didn't think he was for it, but I think he got convinced by so many of those in the farm states. I don't understand it all, but it does help in reducing the use of gasoline, I doubt I will ever see it here in Virginia.

Senator Boxer had an admendment up, to take out certain wording in the bill concerning ethanol liabilities to the companies manufacturing it, do you know if that admendment has come up yet ? Also a lot of these admendments get taken out once in conference behind closed doors, I think JK's admendments on the military got taken out of the bill they were put into.

[Mass]

9. Boxer's amendment was tabled yesterday.

I am not sure where I stand on ethanol. I am sure using it is good, but the ethanol amendment is what happens when you try to accomodate too many people: a lot of pork.

[fedupinBushcountry]

10. Pork

Don't you think no matter what renewables come there will always be pork involved?

Was there a vote on the Boxer admendment or was it a voice vote ?

[Mass]

11. No it was tabled, so there was no vote.

and you are probably right for the pork as long as a president does not define a strategic direction for energy (another reason we can regret Kerry was not elected, as we needed more).

[karynnj]

12. Maybe after the campaign, Kerry thinks more of the country as a whole

than of whether his state would benefit directly. Also, if there is an energy crisis, if you produce alternative fuel in one area, that area will use less oil, leaving more for everyone else. It does seem consistent with his call for alternative energy.

Alternatively, the primaries start in Iowa and if Vilsack doesn't run this may be an important vote. Iowa is also a swing state he very narrowly lost.

[rox63]

13. Kerry's a big supporter of alternative energy sources

And this falls in line with that. And if it helps him pick up farm-state votes in an as-yet-hypothetical 2008 election, all the better.

[kerrygoddess]

14. Kerry sees ethanol as viable alternative

2. Accelerate the Production and Use of Ethanol and Biodiesel. The Kerry-Edwards administration will fund research and development to reduce the cost and expand production of new advanced biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol and other clean fuels from waste products in all regions of the US.

3. Extend the Ethanol Tax Incentive. Currently, tax incentives for renewable fuels are set to expire in 2007. Kerry and Edwards will extend them until 2020 and will include both ethanol and biodiesel. This will ensure ongoing development in the renewable fuels sector which will enhance diversification and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=34772

Kerry promotes energy independence plan
Posted: 10 Aug 2004

by J.R. Pegg

Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry has outlined a 10 year, $30 billion energy plan and said the proposal will "put America on the path to energy independence and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs at the same time."

Kerry's plan centres on increased support for renewable energy and for alternative motor fuels made from corn and soybeans, as well as incentives for clean coal technology and for more fuel efficient cars and trucks.

"We can control our own destiny, we can create the jobs of tomorrow and we can make sure that no young American in uniform will ever be held hostage to our dependence on oil from the Middle East," Kerry told supporters in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kerry's remarks came at the end of a week that saw oil prices soar to a near record high of almost $45 a barrel.

http://www.peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=2303

From the LCV -

Ethanol

April 14, 2003

Ethanol:

An alternative motor fuel derived from feedstock grains (usually corn). It can also be used as a gasoline additive, as an octane enhancer and an alternative to the harmful additive, MBTE. Ethanol produces less carbon monoxide, less ozone, and fewer hydrocarbons than gasoline.
http://www.lcv.org/News/News.cfm?ID=372&c=28&Type=s

[Mass]

15. Do you mean Kennedy and Boxer do not?

I am looking for a rational for a vote that is different from people who are also big environmentalists. I have no issues with his vote, I am a big supporter of alternative energies myself. I am just wondering what prompted a different vote between different people.

[kerrygoddess]

16. I'm really not sure.

Kerry is the top ranked environmentalist in the Senate. He votes for more bills and amendments supported by the LCV and NRDC than any other Senator. Perhaps Boxer and Kennedy see things differently. Their voting record is not as strong on these issues.

[Mass]

17. Thanks

Kerry's record on the issue is impressive. This is what brought me to support him among the democrats two years ago. There can be no question about it.

[kerrygoddess]

18. Boxer and Kenedy are awesome too!

Love them both. Boxer is one of CA Senators, but being from MA originally my heart belongs to JK and Uncle Teddy!