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Lessons from the Great Lakes on how enviros can win votes and influence people

Bush chats up Michiganders in Monroe. Photo: White House. President Bush swooped into Monroe, Mich., in mid-September for an appearance at one of the largest and most polluting coal-fired power plants in the world. As an exploration of his ideas about environmental policy, the visit was completely baffling. (Why go to such a filthy facility? […]

Can a beat-Bush effort yield a progressive coalition with staying power?

Is Bush digging his political grave with enviro rollbacks? Photo: White House. Who says George W. Bush never did anything for the great outdoors? His running for reelection could be the best thing to happen to the U.S. environmental movement in years. The threat of four more years of Bush has provoked a significant rethinking […]

A Grist interview with Democratic presidential contender Joe Lieberman

Joe cool. Photo: Lieberman for President Search through the recent archive of Democratic presidential candidate and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman’s press releases, and here’s a sampling of what you’ll see: “Lieberman Calls for [EPA Administrator Christie] Whitman to Resign in Protest.” “Lieberman, McCain Offer Plan Harnessing Market Forces to Counter Global Warming.” “Lieberman, Clinton Demand […]

A Grist interview with Democratic presidential contender Dennis Kucinich

Kucinich: rhymes with spinach. Photo: Kucinich for President. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) has gone to great lengths to bill himself as the only true progressive among the Democratic presidential candidates — vehemently opposed to war, NAFTA, and the World Trade Organization, and vehemently in support of universal health care, social security, and welfare. “I am […]

Interviews with the 2004 Democratic presidential contenders

There are enough of them to field a baseball team or fill the Supreme Court bench. With nine candidates vying to win the Democratic nomination for president, sometimes it can be tough to remember which one drives the SUV and which one’s the vegan. To help you get a leg up on the environmental platforms […]

Don’t let the Democrats frighten you away from voting your conscience

It’s that time of year again. Fall is in the air, kids are back in school, and frightened Democrats are warning the Green Party not to run a candidate for president next year. “The issues are too serious,” we’re told, “and the incumbent too awful. Just for this election, forget your progressive values, hold your […]

Advice on channeling your eco-political anger

Dear Umbra, Now that this country has been lost to the Earth-ravaging Republicans, tell me: Which other country should I run to seeking environmentally aware salvation? MelAlbany, N.Y. Dearest Mel, America. Love it or leave it, pal. Are Republicans inherently Earth-ravaging? Do all Republicans believe the Clear Skies initiative is progress? Do they all buy […]

The scoop on Bush’s Texas getaway

Dear Umbra, I heard a rumor that President Bush’s Texas ranch is off the grid. I find it very hard to believe (unless “off the grid” means he has his own oil well and refinery set up) and I can’t find any documentation about it. Ever heard this? Know if it’s true or false? Skeptical,JulieChicago, […]

Don’t gamble with your vote in 2004

Is Ralph ready to run? Photo: Nader 2000. Activists have plenty of good reasons to challenge the Democratic Party operatives who focus on election strategy while routinely betraying progressive ideals. Unfortunately, the national Green Party now shows appreciable signs of the reverse problem — focusing on admirable ideals without plausible strategy. If Ralph Nader runs […]

Fun facts on voters’ environmental values and more

73 — percentage of Americans who think political candidates’ positions on the environment are “very important” or “somewhat important”1 61 — percentage who say they are either active participants in or sympathizers with the environmental movement2 30 — percentage who list the environment as an “extremely important” factor in deciding for whom to vote3 49 […]