The Political Climate: an ongoing commentary on the NH Primary and Climate Change

Running a “presidential” campaign before it is actually a presidential campaign seems to be this primary season’s hottest trend.  About a month ago, after months of campaigning and a dip in the polls, Sen. McCain formally announced his candidacy.  Also after months of campaigning, yesterday Gov. Richardson, a lesser-known, “second-tier” candidate officially announced his candidacy during a trip to California.  While an announcement this late in the game is basically a publicity stunt, we did appreciate that Richardson talked about global warming during his “official announcement” speech: “We also need a president who is not dismissive of energy independence and global warming…This is no longer a choice, it is a moral imperative for a planet and a matter of survival for our country.'’

It appears that Newt Gingrich is another trend setter.  Gingrich was in the Granite State yesterday signing copies of his book “Pearl Harbor.”  Even though Gingrich has said “A year is more campaigning than the American people need to endure,” his book tour conveniently takes him to all of the early primary states.  If he decides to make a run, he said, “we would probably do it on November 6.”  In the meantime you’ll probably find him off campaigning.

John Edwards was also in the state yesterday.  He talked about global warming calling it “serious business”, and sticking to his “we have to be willing to be patriotic about something other than war” spiel.