Poll: As Republicans take aim at Obama environment agenda, their base is not so sure

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Seymoretrib

By DINA CAPPIELLO

WASHINGTON — When Republicans take control of Congress next month, top on their agenda will be undoing environmental regulations they claim will harm the economy, chief among them President Barack Obama's plans to limit heat-trapping carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants.

The results of a new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and Yale University show their priorities may be misplaced.

Six in 10 Americans, including half of all Republicans, said they support regulation of carbon dioxide pollution, although they weren't asked how. Nearly half of Republicans said the U.S. should lead the global fight to curb climate change, even if it means taking action when other countries do not. And majorities across party lines said environmental protections "improve economic growth and provide new jobs" in the long run, a popular Obama administration talking point.

The picture of Republicans that emerges from the poll runs counter to the monolithic view of Republicans in Washington as a global warming-doubting, anti-environmental regulation party keen on attacking Obama's environmental plans. And the results come as the Obama administration continues to forge ahead on its own with aggressive plans on climate change, even if it means going head-to-head with a Republican-controlled Congress that could derail the administration's environmental legacy.

FULL story at link.



FILE - In this Sunday, June 1, 2014, file photo, the coal-fired Plant Scherer is photographed in Juliette, Ga. Six in 10 Americans, including half of all Republicans, said they support regulation of carbon dioxide pollution, according to a a new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and Yale University released Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)


Read more: http://www.tribtown.com/view/story/b480f923c87c4ce081cca8c53a1ae422/US--AP-Poll-Environment-Disconnect

[imthevicar]

1. their base

is about to find out they are not represented either.

[Chemisse]

2. This climate change skepticism has been indoctrinated into the Republican voters

By leaders who are trying to disguise their Big Oil ass kissing in Washington as an idealogical fight.

Perhaps a little reality is getting through.

[pampango]

3. Certainly not the only issue on which the republican base and their politicians disagree.

Here's the link to the poll itself: http://www.apnorc.org/PDFs/Global%20Warming/Yale_AP-NORC-Envir%20Policy%20Issue%20Brief-WEB%20FINAL.pdf

Three Things You Should Know From the Yale — AP-NORC Environment Poll Among American Adults

¬ Fifty-six percent of Americans believe global warming is happening and 20 percent believe it is not happening. Almost a quarter, 23 percent, are unsure.
¬ About twice as many Americans favor U.S. participation in international climate negotiations as oppose it.
¬ A majority of Americans say environmental protections will improve economic growth and provide new jobs in the long run.

Do you favor, oppose, or neither favor nor oppose U.S. participation in the development of a new international treaty to address global warming?

................................Overall Democrats Republicans
Favor............................50........ 67........... 35
Neither favor nor oppose.27.........23............27
Oppose.........................23.........11............38

Which of the following statements comes closer to your opinion about how President Obama should handle negotiations for developing a new international agreement to address global warming?

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................Overall Democrats Republicans
President Obama should negotiate and act on a new international agreement to address global warming even if it will not be approved by the U.S. Senate. ........37.........59.............14
President Obama should only negotiate a new international agreement to address global warming if it will be approved by the U.S. Senate. ..............................36.........28.............49
President Obama should not pursue a new international agreement to address global warming. ............................................................................................22........10.............35

Thanks for the OP, Omaha Steve.