RUNNING ON EMPTY

From Arizona GOP National Committeeman BRUCE ASH:


Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) Adopts New Stance On Fuel Standards, Adding Yet Another Position To Her Ever-Changing Record
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Yesterday, Sen. Clinton Announced She'd Run On Increasing Fuel-Efficiency Standards:

Hillary Proposed Increasing CAFE Standards From The Current Level Of 25 Miles Per Gallon To 40 Miles Per Gallon In 2020 And 55 Miles Per Gallon In 2030. "Hillary would raise fleet-wide fuel economy standards from the current level of 25 miles per gallon (mpg) to 40 mpg in 2020 and 55 mpg in 2030." (Hillary For President Website, http://www.hillaryclinton.com/files/pdf/poweringamericasfuture.pdf, Accessed 11/6/07)

The Alliance Of Automobile Manufacturers Called Her Proposal "Unrealistic." "Charles Territo, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the trade group that represents the Big Three and Toyota, among others, said Clinton's proposal isn't realistic." (David Shepardson and Gordon Trowbridge, "Clinton Backs Fed Aid To Hit 40 Mpg By '20," The Detroit News, 11/6/07)

Hillary's Proposal "Exceeds Even The Most Aggressive Estimates Of What Is Technologically Feasible." "Manufacturers are committed to increasing fuel economy and support efforts to increase the standards by as much 40 percent in 2022; however, Senator Clinton's proposal exceeds even the most aggressive estimates of what is technologically feasible." (David Shepardson and Gordon Trowbridge, "Clinton Backs Fed Aid To Hit 40 Mpg By '20," The Detroit News, 11/6/07)
But Sen. Clinton Doesn't Seem To Know Where She Has Been Running On Fuel-Efficiency:

With "The Presidency Increasingly On Her Mind", Hillary Actually Pushed The Idea Publicly "But Voted Against The Same Measure She Had Backed." "Further evidence of her political instincts was seen with regard to car pollution. In 2003, Hillary had voted for a fuel-efficiency standard opposed by the auto industry. But two years later, the presidency increasingly on her mind, she continued to push the idea publicly but voted against the same measure she had backed." (Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta Jr., Her Way, 2007, p. 284)

In 2003, Hillary Voted In Favor Of Increasing Fuel-Efficiency Standards Up To 25 Miles Per Gallon And Then 40 Miles Per Gallon By 2015. "Durbin, D-Ill., amendment that would mandate an increase in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard. Passenger vehicles made before 2006 would have to average 25 miles per gallon. After that, the standard would gradually increase to 40 miles per gallon by model year 2015. Non-passenger vehicles made before 2006 would have to average 17 miles per gallon. By model year 2015, they would have to average 27.5 miles per gallon." (S. 14, CQ Vote # 309, Rejected 32-65: R 4-47, D 27-18, I 1-0, 7/29/03, Clinton Voted Yea)


In 2005, Hillary Voted Against Increasing Fuel-Efficiency Standards Up To 25 Miles Per Gallon And Then 40 Miles Per Gallon By 2016. "Durbin, D-Ill., amendment no. 902 that would mandate phased increases in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.

Passenger vehicles made before 2008 would have to average 25 miles per gallon. The standard would gradually increase to 40 miles per gallon by model year 2016. Non-passenger vehicles made before 2008 would have to average 17 miles per gallon. By model year 2016, the standard would rise to an average of 27.5 miles per gallon." (H.R. 6, CQ Vote # 157, Rejected 28-67: R 5-48, D 22-19, I 1-0, Clinton Voted Nay)

When Asked If She Supported An Increase In Fuel-Efficiency Standards, Hillary "Side-Stepped The Question." "But when a reporter asked if she supported a congressional measure to require automakers to increase the fuel-efficiency standards of their vehicles, she side-stepped the question. Instead, she called for a bipartisan solution that would help the automobile companies 'manage this' challenge." (Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta Jr., Her Way, 2007, p. 283)


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