You have to hand itto McCain. I hope the superciliousness of this news report is not a reflection of the profundity of his assessment of mining:
Republican presidential hopeful John McCain says the nation’s 136-year-old mining law needs to be updated, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he supports increasing fees paid by mining companies operating on public lands.
McCain, speaking with reporters after a town hall meeting today in Sparks, reiterated his support for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository north of Las Vegas, but added that he believes reprocessing nuclear waste needs to be a part of the nation’s energy policies.
The Arizona Republican said Nevada again will be a battleground state in the fall election, and said his strategy will be to stress his knowledge and understanding of Western issues, including mining, public lands and water.
He seems to want it all way. A new mining law; but no fees. Yucca Mountain; but no nuclear waste. Your vote; but no questions please.
I suppose there is courage in supporting Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Most people in Las Vegas do not want it. Reprocessing uranium certainly would help if we could get past Jimmy Carter’s ban. 
I for one would like to see more from the Republican hopeful on what he would do about mining, Yucca Mountain, and uranium reprocessing it if I vote for him. But I fear I will wait in vain. Maybe the United States mining associations should issue a profound statement on these issues.
