Would Divided Government with John McCain Really Be a Good Thing?Mike Rappaport

John McCain proposes a mandatory cap and trade policy for greenhouse gases, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent below 1990 levels by 2025.  If McCain proposes it, it will pass the Congress, whether or not the Republicans have a fillibuster proof minority in the Senate.  If Obama proposes it, the Republican Senate might fillibuster it. 

This is part of the counterargument to those, like Ilya Somin, who favor McCain as a means of promoting divided government.  McCain has shown himself willing to work with Democrats to get big government policies passed.  A republican Senate minority will be unable or unwilling to fillibuster proposals by McCain.  By contrast, a republican Senate might sometimes attempt to stop Obama's proposals.

To be clear, I am not sure this effect by itself outweighs the forces of divided government under McCain.  But at the least, it significantly reduces their benefits.