2008 Elections--What About a Little Thing Called "The Environment"??

Hello dear readers. I am an English Literature major and I will be exploring the presidential candidates' platforms on environmental issues such as Global Warming (*A.K.A. "Climate Change" by the current administration), greenhouse emissions, the U.S.'s role in global pollution, the candidates' proposed solutions, and the impact of "green" movements during this election season. Unfortunately, amidst the recent controversy surrounding Reverend Jeremiah Wright, crucial issues such as the environment fell further into the political backdrop. We are well into 2008 and the presidential candidates have devoted little time toward addressing environmental issues.


The 2008 election candidates--Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama--counter the Bush administration's denial of global warming/climate change, but to varying degrees. Senator Clinton's lofty environmental goals include switching from carbon-based to "clean and energy-efficient," holding oil and coal companies accountable for emissions, encouraging "green," or environmentally-friendly/efficient, homes and commercial structures, implementing programs for lower- and middle-income buyers to buy green, and advocating a reduction in electricity consumption and oil dependence. Although McCain introduced an environmental climate change bill in 2003, he has skipped out on crucial votes in the Senate regarding the use of oil, versus so-called "clean" coal, as well as crucial votes to overturn generous tax benefits for oil companies. His official presidential website mentions McCain's platform agenda on the environment, but there are few details on what specific strategy McCain intends to pursue. McCain states his belief in Americans' "patriotic responsibility" toward sustaining clean water and air resources and keeping our national treasures intact, however, there is a dearth of information regarding his questionable Senate voting record and his proposed resolutions for environmental issues. Senator Obama's detailed "Plan for a Clean Energy Future" involves investing over $150billion in clean energy initiatives, coupled with skilled training for youths via a "Green Jobs Corps," requiring renewable electricity, reducing oil dependence by 2030, encouraging the production of green products, and advocating cleaner technology from companies--especially large corporations, the biggest polluters and waste producers.

While the November 2008 elections are several months away, the candidates must keep environmental issues at the forefront of their campaigns. The most recent controversy involving Reverend Wright has overshadowed the Democratic candidates' messages regarding several election issues, however, within the coming months, Senators Obama, McCain, and Clinton owe the voting public more than broad statements on their campaign websites. For example, the recent revelations about pharmaceutical drugs in drinking water, a major concern, have largely gone ignored by the candidates. This is no small matter. If such important environmental issues are not addressed now, why should we believe the candidates' daily campaign rhetoric about other issues?

McCain: Congress shares blame for bridge collapse

(CNN)–Senator John McCain says Congress should share some of the blame for the collapse of the bridge in Minnesota, because of the diversion of money meant for transportation spending that goes to pet projects for members of Congress.

"Clearly inspections of bridges are needed and that's why the Department of Transportation has ordered them," the GOP presidential candidate said. "That we have to spend 233 million of those dollars earmarked for transportation, that are already intended for transportation, on an outrageous earmark of a 233 million dollar bridge in Alaska to an island with 50 people on it, its an argument for reforming this broken system of corruption and earmarking in Washington." McCain said that money should have been used to fund inspections and repairs of the nation's infrastructure.

McCain has been a vocal critic of "ear marks", narrowly targeted projects that members of Congress tuck into appropriations bills. Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, faced criticism for an appropriation of 233 million dollars to build a bridge in an area of his state with a small population.

McCain made the comments to local reporters on Saturday in Ankeny, Iowa following a town hall meeting. He is due to participate in a debate Sunday with the other Republican presidential candidates in Des Moines.

–CNN Political Desk Editor Jamie Crawford

History

At this juncture in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, the Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, is poised to become the first black Democratic nominee for the presidency of the United States of America.

Sen. Obama is leading in the popular vote and the pledged delegates. Since February 5, he has reportedly gained 50 superdelegates, inching closer to the New York Senator's lead in superdelegates.

According to MSNBC's "First Read" http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/24/800406.aspx, Obama leads Clinton 1,626-1,506 overall. This includes the pledged count of Obama 1,408, Clinton 1,251 and the superdelegate count of Clinton 255, Obama 218.

In the popular vote, Obama is ahead 13,405,271-12,706,194.

It's a tense moment in history for many who await the June 5 outcome of this historic Democratic primary.