On Climate Change, 'Not A Scientist' Not Enough For Some Republicans
Reuters
Posted: 01/27/2015 7:00 am EST Updated: 3 hours ago
By Valerie Volcovici and Amanda Becker
"WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Rick Perry's farewell speech to the Texas legislature listed the accomplishments expected from an outgoing Republican governor of the country's largest oil-producing state. But his Jan. 15 speech also did something less predictable: touting his environmental record, from lowering Texas' carbon emissions to turning the state into a global leader in wind energy production.
"We have expanded our economy while protecting our environment," said Perry, who is openly exploring a second White House run in 2016.
"It was a greener message than the one he delivered ahead of his last presidential campaign, when he called climate change a "contrived phony mess," and it reflects an expectation among some in the party that voters in 2016 will want Republican candidates to develop a more sophisticated climate change message.
"'I'm not a scientist' won't be a winner in the presidential field," Republican strategist Ford O'Connell said of the now common response Republican lawmakers and candidates offer when asked about climate change.
"With the national party largely silent on the issue, conservative environmental groups like ConservAmerica are stepping up efforts to sharpen the Republican message. In recent months they have held meetings for like-minded conservatives and met with lawmakers and aides in a bid to help craft a new Republican environmental platform.
"Attempts to strike a softer tone will collide with entrenched resistance, primarily from the donor network in the orbit of billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch, who oppose any attempt to regulate the oil, gas and chemical industries that are the backbone of their empire.
"Conservative political advocacy groups supported by the Kochs plan to spend $889 million in 2016, the Washington Post said on Monday.
"Those pushing the party to adopt a more palatable message on the environment say it is possible to stake out environmental positions that can appeal to young and independent voters without offending the party's free-market, anti-regulation base.
"Perry spokeswoman Lucy Nashed said the outgoing governor has long called smart regulations in Texas "proof that economic growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive."
ELECTORAL SHIFT
"The search for a new message on climate change is driven by electoral math.
"While leaders of the Republican-controlled Congress have vowed to block regulations to control carbon emissions, a poll by Yale University earlier this month found that 56 percent of Republicans support regulating climate-warming greenhouse gases.
"Red state disputation of science isn't going to work," said former South Carolina congressman Bob Inglis, noting that voters..."
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