MIA: Environment

[klook]

Why was there not a SINGLE question about the environment in last night's debate? In a 90-minute debate about domestic issues, Bob Schieffer couldn't find the time for even one question about this issue that's of vital concern to millions of Americans. And, unfortunately, Kerry couldn't find a way to work it in to the discussion. Also (and largely as a result of its absence in the debate), there was no discussion of the environment in any of the post-debate analyses I saw.

Why is this important? I mean, no environmentalist would vote for Bush, right? So the Democrats don't need to mention it, right?

WRONG. The Bush environmental record is abysmal, and can easily be tied to energy (mention Cheney's secret energy task force meetings with major polluters, Enron, and power co. rate abuses), not to mention dependence on foreign oil.

Not only that, "the environment" is the physical world we all live in, not something separate from ourselves. It's the air we breathe, the water we drink, the streams we fish in, the food we eat, the fields our kids play on. The environment affects everyone.

For many of us, the environment is a hot-button issue that mobilizes us, as important as gay marriage, taxes, and anti-choice are to the Right. Furthermore, there are many conservatives and swing voters who are concerned about the environment.

Do I really need to point this out? Why aren't the Democratic strategists making the environment part of the talking points for the Kerry campaign?

[dennis4868]

1. Because.....

it is really important to know what God/faith means to the candidates...thats why!

[Viking12]

2. I was sadly disappointed in Scheifer for not asking

and Kerry for not working it in to rip chimpy.

[edhopper]

3. Yes,

I thought this too. Shieffer asked at least 3 Iraq questions (this was suppose to be on domestic affairs) and not one on the environment.
That last softball question about the "ladies the married" was BS.
I was very disappointed about this.

[michigandem2]

4. I was pissed about this..and more stem cell questions would of

been nice..I thought Bob did alright but the questions weren't tough enough..

[dbackjon]

5. I was so mad about that

This is one area that Kerry is a million times better than Bush. Prolly one of Bush's weakest areas.


Rigged Debate.

[quaoar]

6. I like Bob Schieffer

But I agree he should have asked Bush about his horrific record on the environment.

But I imagine he didn't ask it because it hasn't been brought up much during the campaign.

And that, too, is disappointing because Bush is the absolute worst president in the history of the Republic on the environment. It's as if he wakes up every morning and says to himself, "Gee, what can I do today to enhance clear-cutting, habitat degradation, strip mining, and mercury contamintion."

[klook]

7. Plastic president, plastic turkey, plastic rocks, plastic trees

U.S. President George W. Bush speaks from a podium decorated with fake rocks and plants, at an election campaign rally in Colorado Springs, October 12, 2004. Bush is campaigning in key western states before his final presidential debate tomorrow against his Democratic Party rival John Kerry. REUTERS/Jason Reed US ELECTION

[hatrack]

8. Man, that photograph says a lot!

Plastic rocks for the plastic president.