Looking at issues on the statewide—and better yet, citywide level—makes campaign coverage a lot more relevant than when the overwhelming focus is placed on the larger, more generic national issues. The Herald does this well here—takes the statewide problem of poor Everglades funding and brings it to the national arena. It serves as a warning for other states: If this is what McCain's track record is with the Everglades, imagine how he'll approach, say, mountaintop removal mining in West Virginia.

This article does a great job of going beyond reporting on a campaign appearance to find out how consistent McCain's actual actions on the Everglades are with his photo op, and it finds that his actions are not very consistent. The reporter provides good background on the value of the Everglades to the state of Florida, the positions of Florida lawmakers on the Everglades, McCain's justification for voting against Everglades restoration, and the reasons that Everglades restoration is supported. Great piece!

We're getting the extension of McCain's biggest problem his flip flopping.

The article indicates that McCain missed the Everglade vote but does not mention that McCain has missed every major environmental vote. McCain has the lowest ranking of every member in the 110th Congress from the League of Consevation Voters. He can say that he supports environmental protection but his voting record does not support that statement. Half of the original Everglades are gone and now the Everglades are parched and are burning.

Although this story puts McCain in a very negative light in regard to the environment, it is accurate. Facts in the piece are correct, and the topic--McCain's attitude toward environmental spending--is one of the most important ones in this election. It would be more balanced and informative if it included a fuller explanation of why McCain opposed authorizing the money for the cleanup deal that was agreed on by both Florida and the federal government. This article makes McCain look very poor in regard to the environment.

The article is a fairly extensive view into McCain's positions, non-positions, and votes regarding the Florida environment. The man from Mars wants man to go to the war planet, where the rivers and swamps have been dried up for millenia, rather than repair the damages the population has done to the Florida wetlands. Since he also minimizes plans to deal with global climate change, perhaps this will be moot when Florida is under the Atlantic. Engulfed. His experience in the wetlands of Arizona is serving him well.

It covers a very important environmental issue. McCain has proven that he has no regard for our natural resources. His flip flopping has become very annoying. There aren't enough stories attacking this man's posturing. What is slowly emerging is how disreputable is his position on so many issues.

An excellent, well-resourced article that needs to be part of the public domain and debate going into the general election. And again, it's shows what an absolute and total fraud and fake that John McCain has become on nearly everything.

A pattern is emerging. On almost every stop on the campaign trail there are crumbs left behind by McCain that reporters are picking up and investigating. These are turning into articles about inconsistencies in his voting record, awkward associations, and changing policy positions. This article is just one more. It is specific in scope focusing on the inconsistency between what McCain says and how he voted on the Everglades. It is concise, reasonably sourced (links to some of the Everglades support groups quoted would have been nice), and fair. Emphasis is on how he voted. His camapaign has offered explanations and they are provided. Readers can decide for themselves, as it should always be.

sen. mccain seems to want it both ways--to have the government aid in the environment, housing crisis, nasa, and preserving the everglades, yet not allow the government to spend the money necessary to accomplish these goals. there is certainly validity in not wanting to waste the people's money, but group of developers, including one of his top fundraisers, in one case here, tried to block an everglades project he voted against. sen. mccain may want to evaluate the 'pork' he so despises against the special interests he says he despises yet seems to cater to.

McCain says he ia for the the environment but he doesn't act it.

It appears both sides were represented - which I believe is fair. It will be interesting to see if McCain can articulate his lack of support for Everglades restoration when he's there on Friday.

I think this is another example of political pandering. The story is well written and seems to be factual and well substantiated. If McCain wishes to continue his "Maverick" mantle he should explain why he was opposed to the bill rather than simply suddenly being an ardent environmentalist.

The story didn't press Senator McCain or his campaign on his reason for voting against Everglades funding. He was let off the hook with the catch-all "I will not vote for out-of-control spending.'' Instead his platitude 'I am committed to saving the Everglades,'' was left to stand without any elaboration or substantiation other than vague promises to support a "stand-alone" bill to restore the River of Grass, and "adequate funding" for Everglades protection. The article does, however, offer some context by including (in the second-to-last paragraph) the Democratic National Campaign Committee's assertion that a top fundraiser for McCain's presidential campaign is a real estate developer active in blocking the state's efforts to ... More »

Typical McCain posturing. He misses the votes or votes to uphold a veto then comes up with all his excuses when he has to face the music. This is just another example where the Senator wants his cake and eat it too.