There’s a lot of talk about endangered species these days, and the list seems to be ever-growing. Well, I have a new one to add: Republicans in Congress. Everyone knows that independent voters went overwhelmingly for Democrats in the 2006 wipeout, and the GOP stands to do just as badly in 2008 if it can’t get many of these voters back.
Fortunately, climate change offers Republicans an opportunity to reach out to these crucial swing voters, but candidates are going to have to start getting serious about addressing the issue. Survey after survey shows that voters overwhelmingly believe that climate change is happening, and that human activity is a contributing factor. Moreover, voters strongly support efforts to reduce carbon emissions for a wide variety of reasons relating to the environment, the economy, and national security.
American voters are very clear when it comes to reducing carbon emissions: they are ready for the U.S. to take action. By working towards a sensible policy on the issue, Republicans may make a comeback, like the Bald Eagle. If they continue to ignore and deny, they’re more likely to follow the path of the Dodo.
This entry was posted on Monday, October 8th, 2007 at 10:42 am and is filed under Climate Change, Politics/Government . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
If Election Day arrives with the USA still firmly stuck in Iraq and a growing recession (as seems likely), the Republicans will be routed.
No hope for the Presidency IMHO if as above.
22 R seats in the Senate vs. 12 D seats up for election. So far, 4 R senators have decided to retire, with Vitter and Craig as “maybes” and zero Ds. The time to announce retirement is not yet over so the list may grow. All four announced vacant seats seem likely to go D and several R senators are likely to lose re-election (only Landrieu of LA is at small risk).
Given a mess in Iraq, oil AND the economy, even safe seats will be at risk IMHO. Inhofe of OK is one that I will be rooting for a change in employment.
2010 is another “more Rs than Ds” year (19 R 15 D) for the Senate.
The House will move D, the question is by how many seats. Likewise Governors.
After the 2008 election will be the time for reform and change in the Republican Party. IMVHO, it is unlikely before the “shock treatment”.
A viable and meaningful energy and environmental policy would go a VERY long way to rebuilding the GOP post-2008. I am creating elements of what could be acceptable policy to conservatives today and will post them here if not censored.
A plan to reduce US Oil Consumption by -10% in 10 to 12 years (and reduce carbon emissions as well).
http://www.aspo-usa.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=168&Itemid=91
November 9th, 2007 at 8:47 am
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November 26th, 2007 at 10:32 am
The unexpected resignation of Trent Lott (so he can avoid new ethics rules on 1/1/08) should put both Mississippi Senate seats up for election in 2008. Sen. Cochran is secure, but a newly appointed Republican running for his first Senate election might be vulnerable in a strong anti-Republican backlash in Mississippi (a combination of Iraq, Katrina/FEMA, 2008 recession and high oil prices).
2008 is likely to be debacle for the Republican Party, but it is only after overwhelming defeats that political parties reform and rethink their ideology.
February 26th, 2008 at 11:15 am
[...] at the voting booth. My good friend and fellow Terra Rossa blogger Whit Ayres has already warned us about [...]