Kucinich, Edwards, Obama, Clinton

Carpenter Newton reporting for Digital Journal – What do all eight of the 2008 Democratic Presidential candidates that participated in a debate earlier tonight on the campus of South Carolina State University have in common? All of them believe we need to either reverse or curb the consequences of global warming by seeking alternative energy sources and limiting our carbon consumption. What else do the eight candidates have in common? Not a single one, according to this Associated Press report, made an effort to turn down the carbon knob in their travels to the Palmetto State. Even worse? Four of the candidates, Senators Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Chris Dodd and Joe Biden all flew from the same location, just hours after voting on legislation in Washington. None of them ‘jet pooled’ together and nobody booked a commercial flight. In fact, only one of the candidates, Joe Biden, took a private jet -- an expense estimated somewhere in the range of $7,500 - $9,000. How did everyone else get to South Carolina? They definitely did not arrive by car, bicycle, foot or Rascal. Instead, candidates for President of the United States are traveling on corporate jets these days, thanks to rules that allow such activity. According to the Federal Election Commission, candidates for President may fly on corporate or special interest jets as long as they pay the equivalent of a first class fare. The Senate has approved a bill that would require candidates to pay a full charter fee, but it has not been approved by the House of Representatives at this time. At least two of the Democratic candidates are avoiding the controversy by paying the full charter fee. Barack Obama and Chris Dodd pay full charter rates; meanwhile, John Edwards regularly uses a jet owned by trial lawyer Fred Baron and gets by with only a first class fare. What is the cost difference? A first class ticket on United Airlines with four days notice costs $694, while the estimated expense of chartering a small Lear jet is about $9,000. What does all of that have to do with the environment and global warming you ask? Nothing, really -- it’s just a sidebar that has to be told to the story. In researching all eight of the Democratic Presidential candidates, I found that all have very similar beliefs and views on the environment and global warming. The way in which these candidates chose to get to South Carolina literally flies in the face of the all-important reducing of carbon output. According to several environmental websites I consulted, a flight of 310 miles (500 kilometers) causes 1,488 pounds (675 kilograms) of carbon ‘warming effect.’ One would think that eight people who agree on an issue and passionately believe global warming rhetoric enough to stand on a podium and demand people do something about it would at least be able to use one or two airplanes to all fly to the same location for the greater good of humanity. John Edwards:

Our generation must be the one that says, 'we must halt global warming.' Our generation must be the one that says 'yes' to renewable fuels and ends forever our dependence on foreign oil. And our generation must be the one that builds the new energy economy. It won't be easy, but it is time to ask the American people to be patriotic about something other than war.

Barack Obama:

We need to take steps to stop catastrophic, manmade climate change. If we do not act, the consequences will be devastating for future generations, especially for the poorest global populations. Barack Obama believes the U.S. must act decisively and creatively to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

Joe Biden:

The United States, as the strongest nation in the world, must return to a leadership role to solve global warming. Containing greenhouse gas emissions within our own borders is a necessary and important start - but it is not enough. Joe Biden has led a bipartisan coalition calling on the President to return to negotiations for a new climate change treaty. Developing countries - China, India, Mexico, Korea and Brazil - will soon be the greatest source of greenhouse gas pollution. They must be a part of the solution. But we cannot exert pressure on these countries until we take meaningful action to limit greenhouse gas emissions here at home. Joe Biden supports a "cap and trade" approach to regulating emissions and investment in technologies that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Chris Dodd:

Ultimately, by using energy more efficiently, and by using more clean and renewable sources of energy, Sen. Dodd believes that we should be able to lead the world in reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to global warming. In his view, it is high time that the United States re-join the commitment made by industrialized nations in Kyoto, Japan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Britain has already met its Kyoto targets. It is time for the United States to accept its responsibility to cap and ultimately reduce emissions. In doing so, we will be able to lead other industrial nations in creating the kind of energy future that can create a stronger economy, a healthier environment, and a more peaceful world.

Hillary Clinton:

Clearly, we need more incentives to quickly increase the use of wind and solar power; they will cut costs, increase our energy independence and our national security and reduce the consequences of global warming.

Bill Richardson:

Our next President must be able to start reversing Global Warming and making real progress on energy independence and that means making a real commitment to renewable sources of energy. That's what I've done in New Mexico where we're requiring that 10 percent of all energy come from renewable sources and we're moving toward 20 percent, we've provided incentives for solar, wind, biofuels and other renewables, and again that's what I'll do as President. As Energy Secretary I implemented tough efficiency standards that have saved consumers billions in energy costs. Everybody talks the talk on these issues -- I've done it.

Mike Gravel:

Global climate change must be made an issue of national security. We must act swiftly to reduce America's carbon footprint in the world by passing legislation that caps emissions. By putting a hard cap on greenhouse gas emissions we will improve energy efficiency while generating energy from low-carbon sources. This is critical. Both of these pathways provide lasting benefits from the economic and environmental perspectives. Improved energy efficiency reduces energy costs and makes American-made products more competitive. Growth in the renewable energy technology market creates good-paying, stable jobs in a growing industrial sector. America can become an exporter again if we have the correct visionary policy.

Dennis Kucinich:

We need a President who will reinvigorate the Clean Air Act and work to eliminate the pollutants in the air we breathe. We need a President who will join world efforts to curb global warming; who will ratify the Kyoto Protocol, spur research and development into clean-burning, renewable fuels, and move the United States to 20% renewable energy use by 2010.

Leo Tolstoy, not running for President:

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.