How McCain can capture the energy issue and win

James Pethokoukis:

...

1) Stop talking about global warming. Or at least don't talk about it nearly as much as "energy independence."...

2) Ban the color green. Not only is it a less-than-flattering hue for McCain; but it implies a kinship with an anti-oil, anticoal, antidrilling, antieconomic-growth agenda.

3) Propose drilling in ANWR while standing in ANWR....

4) Accuse Obama of wanting to launch a pre-emptive war on the American economy. McCain could attack Obama's plan on two main fronts: its overreliance on alternative energy vs. fossil fuels and nukes, and Obama's seeming willingness to go ahead with capping carbon emissions even if India and China—America's two main economic rivals of the future—take a pass. I can almost hear McCain now: "Senator Obama's policies would be tantamount to unilateral disarmament in our economic competition with our global competitors. It is another example of his naiveté."

5) Stop blaming Big Oil....

6) Go with a populist "cost of living" argument....

7) Advocate a cheap Manhattan Project....

Clothing consultants recommend that witnesses never wear green in front of a jury. It makes you less credible. I take further and and make sure no one on my side of the case wears it during trial. Jurors tend to associate it with con men. It certainly fits this case too.

Instead of blaming Bil Oil let Big Oil be the solution by allowing it to drill in ANWR and off shore. It will produce a bonanza of tax revenue to the government, but also a huge royalty dividend of nearly two trillion dollars. With industry profits and the royalty revenue there will more than enough to develop alternative energy sources.