Pawlenty In Iowa: Phase Out Ethanol SubsidiesFormer Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a potentially risky move during his campaign launch speech in Iowa: he called for a phaseout of ethanol subsidies.
"The hard truth is that there are no longer any sacred programs," said Pawlenty. "The truth about federal energy subsidies, including federal subsidies for ethanol, is that they have to be phased out. We need to do it gradually. We need to do it fairly. But we need to do it."
Many political observers have long said that Iowa's place at the kickoff for presidential nomination contests has ensured continuous support for ethanol by national politicians. As a counter-example, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has long opposed ethanol subsidies, and as a result he largely skipped the 2008 caucuses. McCain placed fourth in the caucuses, and in the 2008 general election he lost Iowa by just under ten points.
Source: TPM
Not to be a cliche, but can we write off Iowa for Pawlenty if he wins the nomination?
