“When a politician whoops up a really bad public policy, it’s reasonable to ask if said politician is cynical or just stupid. But this one’s a real puzzlement. We’ve seen enough of John McCain to know that he’s not stupid — willful sometimes, erratic for sure, too eager to insult conservatives, and taken to the odd flight of pique or narcissism. But he’s not stupid by a long shot. And for all his faults, he’s not notably cynical. At least for a politician. So how account for the execrable cap and trade policy McCain sprung on us from Portland, Oregon, Monday and which he says will save us from the dreaded carbon dioxide? (If you’re asking: ‘Carbon dioxide — isn’t that what makes the flowers grow and what baby’s breath is made of?’ Answer: yes.)” (05/14/08)