'Green' political donor vows climate agenda push in 2016 U.S. race

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Reuters

BY VALERIE VOLCOVICI

(Reuters) - Environmental activist and billionaire Tom Steyer served notice on Monday that he will use his wealth to try to bring climate change into the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, vowing to target Republican hopefuls who deny the connection between burning fossil fuels and rising global temperatures.

Steyer's NextGen Climate political action committee launched what it calls the Hot Seat campaign aimed at calling out Republican candidates for taking money from the billionaire Koch brothers. The group will target Senator Rand Paul, who is expected to launch his presidential campaign on Tuesday.

Steyer's PAC found limited success turning climate change into a wedge issue in the 2014 midterm elections, despite spending over $70 million on candidates backing strong climate change policies. Only three of seven candidates backed by NextGen won their races.

This time, it hopes to use the conservative Koch brothers as foils, highlighting the connection between their campaign spending and politicians who deny the science underpinning the rise in global temperatures.

FULL story at link.

http://s2.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20150406&t=2&i=1038407423&w=644&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=LYNXMPEB350KF

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/06/us-climatechange-election-donor-idUSKBN0MX1J120150406

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/06/us-climatechange-election-donor-idUSKBN0MX1J120150406

[ErikJ]

1. wow, Good job Steyer!

From article: "Outright denial of climate science is becoming an increasingly difficult political position. On Sunday, the Washington Post reported that the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) - a conservative state policy group funded by the Koch brothers - threatened to sue liberal activist groups that accused it of denying climate change"..........................

[marym625]

2. K&R!

Awesome news! Sounds like this strategy may actually work. Though you never know what the right wing congregants will believe. They buy some pretty outrageous stuff.

[appalachiablue]

3. Excellent! Good for Tom Steyer's bold action. We need more people (& billionaires!) like him.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Kicking, rec. n/t

[peoli]

5. k/r