article_snippet: So corn's no surprise that the Republican governor and other powerful voices in state agribusiness are vocal backers of the Renewable Fuel Standard, a federal rule that requires gasoline to be comprised of up to 10% in renewable fuels.
article_snippet: But it's a less popular policy for small government conservatives, who decry the mandate as federal overreach in the private sector.
article_snippet: Jeb Bush acknowledged that the mandate, which passed in 2007, has helped lower dependence on foreign oil and boost corn-heavy economies.
article_snippet: But as we move forward over the long haul, there should be certainty for people to invest," Jeb Bush argued, saying ethanol will no longer need help from the government.
article_snippet: So at some point we'll see a reduction of the RFS need, because ethanol will be such a valuable part of the energy feedstock for our country.
article_snippet: Ethanol proponents argue that because oil companies own gas stations, consumers are unable to access ethanol and therefore Ethanol proponents needs the government's support to break through oil's stronghold of the market.
article_snippet: Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry took a similar stance and defended Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry decision to request a waiver that would exempt Texas from the federal mandate.
article_snippet: If individual states want to require that ethanol be used in gasoline, that's fine, Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry said, but not the federal government.
article_snippet: I philosophically don't agree that Washington, D.C. needs to be making these decision that affect ... our agriculture industry," Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry said.
article_snippet: It is very important for rural Americans," said the former senator from Pennsylvania.
article_snippet: For the former senator from Pennsylvania part, the former senator from Pennsylvania argued that the ethanol mandate was a matter of national security.
article_snippet: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who's had a strong showing in polls since New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie visited the caucus state in January, made clear that while New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's generally a free market guy, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie believes ethanol is being blocked from consumers and needs government assistance.
article_snippet: But, similar to Bush, Walker said that Walker expects ethanol can one day compete openly and "you no longer need in the industry to have these subsidies.
article_snippet: As for those who opposed it, Bill Couser, who co-chairs a campaign called America's Renewable Future which pushes the ethanol mandate, said he's not ready to write anyone off quite yet.
highlights_snippet: GOP presidential hopefuls take up hot topic of ethanol, used in motor vehicles .