Moderate Dems, facing hard midterms, treat climate plan carefully

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059983656

[font face=Serif][font size=5]Moderate Dems, facing hard midterms, treat climate plan carefully[/font]

Evan Lehmann, E&E reporter
ClimateWire: Friday, June 28, 2013

[font size=3]Ask Sen. Max Baucus about the president's plan for cutting electricity emissions and the veteran Democrat from Montana answers quietly, as if he's trying to keep a herd of horses calm.

"I think climate change needs to be addressed," he allowed, before cautiously adding that he's not sure whether President Obama's use of power plant regulations is the right way to do that. "I don't know the detail, at all."

The careful approach by Baucus symbolizes the distance between Obama's passionate climate supporters on the left and a handful of centrist Democrats from swing states that lean on coal. Instead of claps, they met the announcement with questions. Who will be affected in their states and by how much?

…

"It's jobs. We just want jobs," he said. "Our per capita income in 1946 was 10th in the nation. Tenth. Right after the war, we produced a lot of lumber, a lot of minerals. Cars being built, houses being built. We are now about 47th or 48th in per capita income. So we care about jobs and income. That's very important in our state. So that's how these proposals tend to be looked at."

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[Buzz Clik]

1. "My job, first and foremost, as an elected official, is to get re-elected."

"I will triangulate my stance on all issues. I will consider how every action will play back home. And, I will not take a moral stand that may be viewed as unpopular."

[idwiyo]

2. What is "Moderate Dem"? The example in the article is an opportunistic DINO who'd do anything

so it could be elected, IMNSHO.

I feel for his predicament. I sure do.

[pscot]

3. There's a sea change in the offing

I saw a recent poll (no link, unfortunately) indicating only 1 in 8 Americans are now hardened deniers. Today is going to set record high temperatures across a wide swath of the country. Millions of people, from Dallas to Vegas are getting a dose of reality. Public awareness is growing and people are concerned, if not yet worried. TV is awash in gaudy ads from the oil and gas and coal companies. They know they have a problem. Politicians may be wary of embracing the idea of AGW, but before long, running against it is going to be a guaranteed loser. At some point, all hell is going to break loose.