Sen. John McCain’s new ad, entitled “Putting Country First,” relates the United States’ determination to put a man on the moon to his new plan to decrease dependence on foreign oil by lifting the moratorium on domestic drilling. Energy independence, we’re told, is our “next national purpose.”

Now, you might say the McCain camp is putting quite a glorified spin on the prospects of domestic drilling. Well, guess what? It doesn’t stop there! Once we implement McCain’s plan, gas is going to be deadlocked at $2.55 a gallon! Or at least that’s what we’re led to believe.

In the advertisement, we watch as a patriotic American fills up his gas tank at a price of around $2.55 a gallon. But wait, doesn’t gas cost $4.08 right now? Did the McCain camp use stock footage? Are his advisors, like McCain, unaware of the current price of gas?

WISCKOL: I’d like to ask you a couple questions suggested by voters here. They’re not reporter-type questions.

McCAIN: Sure. It’d be a pleasure.

WISCKOL: When was the last time you pumped your own gas and how much did it cost?

McCAIN: Oh, I don’t remember. Now there’s Secret Service protection. But I’ve done it for many, many years. I don’t recall and frankly, I don’t see how it matters. I’ve had hundreds and hundreds of town hall meetings, many as short a time ago as yesterday. I communicate with the people and they communicate with me very effectively.

The answer is, none of the above. They’re simply bluffing. A 2007 report by the Energy Information Administration states:

The projections in the OCS (Outer Continental Shelf) access case indicate that access to the Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Gulf regions would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030.

All you need to remember is, when McCain puts country first, your automobile can run on dreams, which provide better mileage than fumes of vacuous hope.

From my article on The New Argument.