It’s encouraging to know that, with all the problems surrounding the GOP, they are always consistent, steadfastly sticking to the mantra “don’t change horses in midstream” with bullheaded stubbornness. Except of course if you are talking about the global warming issue, which is a totally different circumstance.
In 2001, President George Bush announced that he would not enlist the United States in the Kyoto Protocol. This agreement has since been signed by 141 different nations, including European and other industrialized countries, excluding the United States and Australia. This “coalition of the willing” seeks to curb greenhouse gas emissions to 5 percent below levels from 1990 by the year 2012.
Then there was the failed Lieberman-McCain Climate Stewardship act in 2003. This bill failed to pass by a majority vote of 55 to 43 in the Senate.
One of the main concerns voiced by the GOP at the time was the proposed mandatory emissions cap. For the record, this emissions cap would not affect the residential or agricultural sector; the only fines administered would be against big businesses that produce more than 10,000 metric tons of green house gases annually.
This bill was reintroduced in 2007 and was again rejected. Many Republicans who now actually believe in climate change still do not support the proposed mandatory emissions cap. They instead favor voluntary tax incentives for new green technology.
It has been seven years since the rejection of the Kyoto protocol, and five years since the first rejection of the Lieberman-McCain Climate Stewardship act. The U.S. is still ranked among the highest emitters of greenhouse gases worldwide, and no clear bi-partisan initiatives seem to be in the works.
Yet recently, GOP favorites Pat Robertson and Newt Gingrich have appeared in commercials alongside liberal contenders Nancy Pelosi and Reverend Al Sharpton. The commercial’s intention is to showcase the importance of a bipartisan fight against global warming.
Wait a second, does this mean the GOP is kicking up its heels, throwing caution to the wind, and actually endorsing a bilateral initiative to end global climate change? Well, what other political motivation could the GOP possibly have for such a bold transition?
There is that whole pesky 2008 presidential election, and according to a 2007 poll done by GOP research firm Ayres McHenry & Associates, 56% of republicans now believe the U.S. should actively be combating climate change.
Furthermore, in a November 2007 Seattle Times article, Republicans for Environmental Protection Policy Director Jim Dipeso refers to climate change as “the issue that gave life to Al Gore’s career, ” and he urges Republicans to use this issue to rally support from their political base and independent voters.
