Today, during a town hall meeting in Fresno, California, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) advocated boosting funding for public transportation. Replying to a question about increasing fuel prices, McCain joked that public transportation was the only issue “we agree on.”
But the senator’s sudden embrace of public transportation contradicts his vocal support for the gas-tax holiday. In fact, according to the American Public Transportation Association, McCain’s proposal to suspend the gas-tax “runs counter to the public demand for more public transportation“:
The truth is that we need the federal gas tax to pay for the much needed highway and public transportation infrastructure. Do we really want our bridges to fall down? No. Do we want to see bus routes and train lines cut? No. Americans are used to their independence and want their transportation systems to not only be maintained, but improved and expanded.
McCain’s gas-tax proposal “would eliminate $1.4 billion of federal funding for public transportation and severely restrict the industry’s ability to add and improve transit services for a growing number of Americans.”
It seems that the gas tax holiday is just one more issue that “is not something” McCain has “understood as well” he should.


McCain seems to make a LOT of these “gaffes” where he proposes something that another proposal renders impossible or moot.
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:58 pmit borders on insanity to think that this man actually has a chance to be the president… this guy actually GRADUATED from ANNAPOLIS and later became a carrier pilot in the USN… having served in a fighter squadron-as an enlisted man aboard several carriers working on the flite deck for 20 hours or so daily, i find it mind-boggling to see what an a/h he has become… millions of $$$$ were spent bailing out the savings & loaners back in the 80″s… much of it due to his running interfernce for several of them… a retired USN CAPTAIN with free EVERYTHING & a wife worth billions has no interest in what is best for the average person… a real schmutz!!! shame on we americans for sponsoring candidates that are completely out of touch, as most are…you reap what you sow!!! mike s…
July 1st, 2008 at 4:48 pm