Politics | Barack Obama Ties to Corn Industry Shape Obama's Policy Views on ethanol please agribusiness, not economists By Jason Farago Posted Jun 23, 2008 5:41 AM CDT Copied Barack Obama looks over ears of sweet corn during a stop at a produce stand, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2007, near Waverly, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Barack Obama trumpets corn-derived ethanol as an alternative energy source and has endorsed tariffs that benefit the industry. But the Times reports that many in the Obama campaign, from Tom Daschle to the candidate's top environmental adviser, have close ties to the corn industry—a kernel of the surprise victory in Iowa. Ethanol production is one issue where Obama diverges sharply with John McCain: The Republican wants to end multibillion-dollar government subsidies and opposes a hefty, possibly illegal tariff on superior ethanol from Brazil. But Obama says eliminating the maize money would imperil "our country’s drive toward energy independence." An Obama spokesman insisted his views were based on merits. Read These Next Cooling Job Market Opens Door to September C Trump has moved 2 nuclear subs in response to Russian remarks. Paula Deen announces an abrupt closure. One minute Ghislaine Maxwell is in Florida, the next in Texas. Report an error