Gore Outlines Environmental Plan
Vice President Al Gore has proclaimed the next decade the “Environmental Decade.” Recently he presented environmentalists with a detailed list of budget and policy initiatives he would pursue as president. Gore's position paper includes a call for increasing environmental spending to match other domestic spending increases, and shifting spending priorities away from highway funds and toward mass transit. With respect to tax policy, Gore lays out a series of specific tax incentives designed to encourage industry to invest in environmentally friendly technologies and to help families buy ultra-efficient automobiles.Environmental Groups Endorse Gore
Two prominent environmental groups recently endorsed Vice President Gore's campaign for president. The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) endorsed the Gore/Lieberman presidential ticket, calling it a winner for the environment. LCV's endorsement comes not long after the Sierra Club made the same endorsement for Gore. The endorsement from the Sierra Club ended months of speculation that the environmental group would stay neutral in the campaign or endorse Green Party candidate Ralph Nader. “The Sierra Club endorses Vice President Gore because he is committed to cutting air and water pollution and protecting our nation's treasured forests and wildlands,” said Robert Cox, Sierra Club's volunteer president. Gore has “helped strengthen clean air standards,” Cox said.“Environmentalists Against Gore”
Pac Formed
A group of environmentalists and academics have founded a new political action committee aimed at criticizing Vice President Al Gore's environmental record and to counteract several recent endorsements the candidate has received from environmental groups. “Environmentalists Against Gore” represents the growing split between the grassroots wing of the environmental movement and their national counterparts, and a way for disenfranchised activists and community groups to vent their frustrations with Gore and support Green Party candidate Ralph Nader.
GOP Platform on Environment
The Republican Party adopted its platform at the Republican National Convention where Texas Gov. George W. Bush was nominated the party's candidate. The platform calls for new liability protections for developers of brownfields and opposition to the Kyoto Protocol, claiming that the treaty is not being based on good science and is an ineffective approach. The platform also calls on Congress to pass a National Energy Security Act, which would provide tax credits to reduce air pollution through ethanol use, use of solar power and the use of other renewable energy sources.Environmentalists Blast Cheney, Praise Lieberman
Environmentalists are critical of Texas Gov. George W. Bush's decision to choose Dick Cheney as his vice presidential running mate, criticizing Cheney's voting record. While in the House, Cheney gained a reputation as a staunchly conservative member, voting against re-authorization of the Clean Water Act and Superfund statute, among other issues. Environmentalists also note that Cheney has long been an opponent of the Kyoto Protocol on global warming.On the other hand, environmentalists are praising the choice of Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., to be Vice President Gore's running mate, even though Lieberman has differences with the Clinton Administration and environmentalists on some issues. One of the most contentious differences has been the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol of which Lieberman has voiced opposition.
The Nader Factor
Recent polls indicate that Green Party candidate Ralph Nader may not be a threat to win the presidency, but could make life difficult for Vice President Gore. In many battleground states that are close, Nader's support tips the balance in Governor Bush's favor. The states where polls show Nader affecting the race include California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington. In each of those states, Nader's support ranged from 5 percent to 8 percent.
AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol.XLVIII, October 2000
E-mail: asainfo@asashop.org, Web Site: http://www.asashop.org
Copyright © 2000 Automotive Service Association (ASA). All rights reserved.