Politics | John McCain On Litmus Tests, McCain Won't Always Turn Green GOP candidate trumpets interest in climate change, but votes can be 'erratic' By Jonas Oransky Posted May 12, 2008 2:29 PM CDT Copied Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, center, looks over the shoulder of children while looking at an exhibit at Liberty Science Center. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) John McCain might trumpet his climate-change bona fides—and voters might be giving him credit—but the Republican candidate's true green colors are far more mixed, the Washington Post finds in a look at how he treats environmental issues. McCain wants a federal limit on greenhouse-gas emissions, but voted against higher fuel-efficiency standards and requiring public utilities to boost output from renewable sources. He has stood for protecting public lands, but dismissed the Endangered Species Act when it interfered with development. A top adviser says his man is a true environmentalist, but can’t please “groups who are single-issue, litmus test” types. But a top eco-advocate typifies the ambivalence watchers feel toward him: Of the helpful Republicans, McCain “is perhaps the most unpredictable, erratic.” Read These Next Visiting the Azores sounds dreamy, just not like this. Los Angeles tunnel collapses with workers inside. The Giants celebrate a 'once-in-a-century' home run. Authorities say a Maine paddleboarder was murdered. Report an error