Beating Bush via Environment 2004

Today, I'm sending everyone to an AP article I originally missed: "Group’s campaign takes on Bush’s environmental plans; Ex-Clinton officials headline the challenge to the administration," October 24, 2003. After being alerted about the topic by my brother-in-law, I found a copy in the Salem (OR) Statesman Journal (online).

The article is about Environment 2004, a political campaign launched by former Environmental Protection Agency chief Carol Browner, ex-Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt and other former public officials. Generally, the group's argument is that Bush has a very poor environmental record and this is a vital issue for the 2004 US Presidential election.

Of course, Environment 2004's website is not alone in making charges against the Bush record. The Natural Resources Defense Counsel has an extensive web page making this claim, there's a good summary on Congressman Henry Waxman's page on the House Government Reform website, and The Guardian newspaper recently weighed in as well.

“This administration has the worst environmental record of any in modern times, period,” said Browner, now a Washington, D.C., consultant.

The group wants to raise millions from membership donations to buy ads, conduct voter education campaigns and send speakers to battleground states to challenge Bush’s record on the environment.

They say Bush’s approach to logging, protection of endangered species, air and water pollution, toxic waste and global warming will be decisive campaign issues next year in swing states such as Oregon, New Mexico, New Hampshire and Florida.

The group hopes to appeal to young voters, suburbanites, independents and those who supported Green Party candidate Ralph Nader in 2000.

Democrat Al Gore lost to Bush by 6,765 votes in Oregon in 2000, while Nader took 77,357 votes.

“A significant number of Nader voters turned out in Oregon because of their concern about the environment,” and could be persuaded to vote Democratic this election, said Aimee Christensen, the campaign’s director.

Those interested in the effort can donate on the group's website.

Full disclosure: my brother-in-law is apparently going to be helping to coordinate the Oregon fundraising campaign. Obviously, he and I share strong views about environmental issues.