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

Last Friday, Republican leaders from 16 western states gathered at the Republican National Committee’s Western Leadership Conference.  Speaking to the group was Jill Buck, a former Republican Assembly candidate, who encouraged that “there is a way for Republicans to be environmentalists and keep their core Republican principles.” 

Buck emphasized the need to “find common ground” on climate change solutions noting that “we might differ with Democrats on how to go about it, but we should all be working together.”

The San Diego Union Tribune reported that Gov. Schwarzenegger echoed Buck’s message and encouraged that the Republican candidates could win in 2008 if they speak up and take leadership on important issues like climate change.  Schwarzenegger commented on how leadership on climate change could appeal to the independent vote noting that “there are millions and millions of swing voters out there and independents… and I think what we have to do is go out there and welcome those independents in.”

According to the Contra Costa Times, Buck and Schwarzenegger are part of a long tradition of Republican leadership on environmental issues.  The article cites the efforts of both Theodore Roosevelt and Richard Nixon to promote conservation and environmental protection. 

Last April, NH Executive Councilor Ray Burton expressed similar thoughts in an op-ed piece titled “Community Commentary: Republicans need to address climate change.” 

Burton, who is a longtime member of the Executive Council and represents the citizens living in over half of the state, wrote that “Conservation and environmental protection has moved away from its image of being a movement of the political left and has once again entered mainstream consciousness.”

Burton noted that “It is a mistake to view climate change, or conservation issues in general, through a partisan lens” and cited recent poll research showing that over 70 percent of Republican primary voters see global warming as a serious threat and that an overwhelming 82 percent of Republican primary voters favor taking action now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  He concluded that “In New Hampshire, the call for action on climate change is clearly not a partisan debate.”

The presidential candidates know very well that NH and California are two key states in the upcoming election season.  It would be a wise move for the Republican candidates to listen to these Republican leaders and seriously address the issue of climate change with a comprehensive plan.