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

When I came into work this morning, I was greeted by the “NH for Hillary Green Gazette.”  The newsletter, which promises to “update you on all the green news and campaign updates you can handle,” offered pieces of Hillary’s plan to fight global warming. 

Unfortunately, the newsletter did not unveil any new content concerning her plan … I’m not sure who told the campaign this was all the green news and campaign updates we could “handle.”  We would like to “handle” a few more details on how she will work with international partners and how her emissions reduction targets will protect the US economy.

The Heat is On project posted a new video of Sen. McCain answering a question on climate change in Bow last week.  Once again, McCain emphasized the need to return to nuclear power, noting that “we are the most innovative, most productive nation on earth and we can develop the technology.”

McCain also stressed that “the strength of the presidency in the United States is the bully pulpit.  You have to trust in confidence the American people and look them in the eye and say: my friends, we are going to have to adopt these methods in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and give our kids a cleaner planet.  They will respond in the affirmative.” 

McCain then stated “I don’t think that we have to ask a great deal of sacrifice from the American people.”  Is McCain giving the “straight talk” he promised or is he sugar-coating his solution to our energy crisis? 

A comprehensive plan including reallocation of budget priorities, legislation for economy-wide emissions reductions and a role for citizens to take efficiency and conservation into their own hands would help voters more clearly understand his approach to energy and climate change.  Without a plan, we might end up sacrificing a whole lot more. 

Senator Fred Thompson’s visit to New Hampshire this weekend marked his first time in the Granite State as an announced candidate.  He was greeted by tree-splintering lightning storms, a frenzied media, and a climate change question at every stop.

An FOTPC asked Thompson whether he believed global climate change was real.  “I think the globe is warming somewhat,” he replied, “I don’t think we know all the reasons behind it or how much yet, but it is certainly something that we have to take seriously.”  Maybe Senator Thompson has not seen the evidence within the numerous scientific reports produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

FOTPC’s next caught Thompson in Manchester to follow up and find out what a Fred Thompson climate change plan would include.  Again, he initially shared his doubts about the reality of anthropogenic climate change and moved on to shake more hands.  Luckily, another FOTPC was present and reminded Thompson that 164 towns in New Hampshire passed a resolution calling for national leadership on climate change.  Thompson finally provided a little detail:

“We have to do a lot of different things well - renewable alternatives, using energy sources that we’ve got here already.  I think nuclear – we’ve got about 20% of nuclear right now and we’ve got to do better than that…but global warming is not going to be solved overnight.  If we start doing things drastically economically, before we know some answers to some questions, not only are we going to hurt our economy, its not going to do any good with the Chinese and the Indians not participating.  So we’ve got to do it on a global basis.”

Thompson’s stump speeches in Stratham and Manchester did not mention climate change, but after facing a few climate change questions from NH citizens, he mentioned ‘energy’ unprompted in Nashua.  In addition to renewable alternatives and nuclear, Thompson mentioned the need to drill in ANWR, expand coal with existing clean technologies, and increase R&D to be funded and run by the federal government.

Unprompted talk about energy – I think we’re in Fred’s Head.

Listen to Fred Thompson in Stratham 

Watch Thompson in Manchester and Nashua

I caught up with Governor Mike Huckabee in Dover yesterday in what could have been the nicest house/mansion/estate I have ever been to.  After a stroll around the lovely riverside abode I was able to ask Governor Huckabee a few one-on-one questions.

I first asked him to describe how he would subsidize R&D into new technologies to combat climate change.  Huckabee spoke extensively about problems with and urged a change in our current tax structure “so that we actually create incentives for businesses to take the risk and go do that (invest in R&D for renewable technology), which we are not doing.  We’re actually destroying American businesses who are even making an attempt by having a tax system that is higher than France or anybody else in the world.  “

I then followed up and asked about shifting subsidies away from oil companies and into R&D for renewable technologies.  Governor Huckabee answered: “yep, but Better than direct subsidies is to give them the free market access that we don’t have right now.”

In the final seconds of my short exchange with Governor Huckabee I asked him his position on a Federal cap on carbon or an increase in fuel efficiency standards.  “I am still very open to that,” Huckabee responded “I have not come to a firm conclusion on where that needs to be, but I think its pretty evident that we need to take some strides to move us all foreword…we are not going to do it unless there is a true, market based transition that necessitates it.”

Huckabee joins McCain as the only other Republican candidate who is open to implementing federal standards like a carbon cap or an increase in fuel efficiency.  Neither Huckabee nor McCain have offered a specific target or time table on the stump in New Hampshire.  McCain does sponsor a cap and trade bill in the senate. 

Huckabee is clearly thinking about proactive climate change solutions: changing tax structure to benefit R&D into renewable technology and federal standards whether he realized it or not.

Listen to my conversation with Governor Huckabee- Audio 1, Audio 2

Eight Republican presidential candidates took the stage last night at UNH for the “First in the Fall” debate sponsored by Fox News.  Carbon Coalition staff and volunteers staked out a spot in front of the arena to wave green flags, hold up “Save our Syrup/Stop Global Warming” signs and pass out “Stop Global Warming” stickers.  Check back tomorrow for photos!

Our rock-star volunteers talked to campaign supporters and people waiting in line about how climate change impacts their lives and why it is so important to take action now.  Unfortunately, it seems that this was the extent of dialogue about energy and climate change to take place at UNH last night. 

There were no questions about energy or global warming asked to the eight present Republican candidates.  It is extremely disappointing that not one question responded to the request of the 164 towns that passed a resolution calling for national leadership to combat climate change. 

Jim Rubens, a blogger for NH Insider, was one of 22 Republican and Independent voters gathered at Young’s Restaurant in Durham to watch the debate and be ready to ask questions through a live feed.  Rubens blogged that he had hoped to ask this question about energy and global warming.  Too bad you didn’t get to ask it Jim!

While the eight candidates debated many issues other than energy or climate change, Fred Thompson finally made his candidacy for the Republican nomination official.  In his announcement, Thompson noted that our dependence on foreign oil endangers both our national security and our economy, but neglected to mention anything about its impact on climate change. 

Thompson did call for a “spike in American creativity and innovation” in energy technology, which we can only hope refers to R&D for renewable energy sources. 

With the lack of dialogue about energy and climate change in both the debate and Fred’s announcement, NH voters must stand reminded that it is our responsibility to get out and tell the candidates that we are concerned about climate change and want to know what their plan is.  Thompson will kick off his campaign with a trip to NH this weekend. 

Check out the candidate calendar to find out where Thompson and other candidates will be and let us know if you can pass out stickers or ask a climate change question!