Climate.

SENATOR MCCAIN co-authored legislation in 2003 to cap greenhouse gases and said at a hearing: ''It is time for the United States government to do its part to address this global problem, and a discussion of mandatory reductions is the form of leadership that is required.'' But this year, he has sometimes appeared to soften his stance. At a news conference in June, he said: ''I believe in the cap-and-trade system, as you know. I would not at this time make those -- impose a mandatory cap at this time. But I do believe that we have to establish targets for reductions of greenhouse gas emissions over time.'' [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]