...all in one.

A few days ago, Barack Obama noted that we could save more energy by properly inflating our car tires and getting regular engine service than will ever be output by the Republicans' offshore drilling plan - and, as opposed to the offshore oil reserves, which by all estimates probably won't pan out for 15-20 years if ever, we can inflate our tires and get our cars checked now.

Inflating your tires really does help your fuel economy, and I should know - my car tells me exactly how many miles I'm getting to the gallon, and I get 3-4 mpg better when my tires are at their maximum PSI.

Inflating our tires and getting tune-ups would actually help end our dependence on foreign oil in the present and it would do so without massive giveaways to the oil industry. It's a common-sense idea that would come at little cost to the American consumer and help the average Joe as well as our nation's economy.

So as expected, common sense having no place in the Republican Party, John McCain - who still has yet to tell anyone why they should vote for him instead of against Obama - has decided to make political hay out of his opponent making sense.

Seriously, Republicans... I thought he was supposed to be the different one. The one devoted to things like clean and honest campaigning, common-sense solutions, and bucking the party line. Why is it that when it comes down to choosing between winning the presidency and keeping his principles, John McCain is demonstrating that he'll pick the former ten times out of ten? And how can you in good conscience support a person of such empty character, of so little integrity, when your party has placed such a premium on those things in the past?

Update: I forgot to mention one of the likely reasons John McCain is opposed to energy solutions that don't line Big Oil's pockets... "Mr. Integrity" is taking their money. So much for principles. John McCain: No character, no class, no integrity.

Update 2: In a rare moment of responsibility amid their general policy of ignoring McCain's gaffes entirely and blowing Obama's out of proportion, it looks like the media is actually checking this one.

But who's really out of touch? The Bush Administration estimates that expanded offshore drilling could increase oil production by 200,000 bbl. per day by 2030. We use about 20 million bbl. per day, so that would meet about 1% of our demand two decades from now. Meanwhile, efficiency experts say that keeping tires inflated can improve gas mileage 3%, and regular maintenance can add another 4%. Many drivers already follow their advice, but if everyone did, we could immediately reduce demand several percentage points. In other words: Obama is right.

Labels: Barack Obama, John McCain, Politics