Democratic Primaries
In reply to the discussion: The front runner is making it extremely difficult for a great many of us [View all]Hortensis
(58,785 posts)on environmental issues and how he compares to others. Because I have checked Biden's long record on environmental issues, I know this OP is very misleading and believe it to be very irresponsible. At best.
Biden's voting and positions on environmental issues, including climate change, have been displeasing conservative colleagues and voters for decades. Trying to weaponize this critical issue against a leading candidate with a proven environmental record is anything but environmentally responsible. The Republicans will be doing that. And as we see, others.
Reality is, Biden's record over the last five decades of development of climate crisis averages far, far, far better than the typical oblivious American's, far better than even most Democratic legislators, and on a different planet from Republican legislators' after the early 1970s -- as HONEST evaluations by environmental groups show.
The League of Conservation Voters gives Biden an 83% lifetime score, which may not sound that good but his score begins in 1973 and it does not include the years after 2008 when he left the senate. During these recent years the national explosion of awareness has occurred, and Democratic legislators across the nation have been newly empowered to act. Biden's 83% lifetime compares extremely well against hundreds of scores like 0, 17, and 43. (There are LOTS of 0's, btw.)
Note that Democrats NOW virtually all have 100% annual LCV scores and that some new members get to have 100% lifetime scores. That last's genuinely wonderful for what it says about our party, but does that really require greater commitment, or is it more like they were "born" on a third base of awareness and action, when 100% doesn't require much more courage or initiative than going with the crowd ever does?
Biden, the other candidates in congress, other legislators, and congress's record as a whole are evaluated here. http://scorecard.lcv.org/overview
It would be interesting to give all our candidates a surprise quiz and find out how they rank for knowledge of the many, many, many complexities involved. Biden has been dealing with them for decades, and I'm pretty sure he'd surprise even those who like him.
Is Biden the candidate most passionately focused on the climate battle? No. That's Inslee, of course, who has a record of tremendous substance on this subject.
Is Biden, whose main issue is saving our nation so it can address climate, a wrong choice for president in spite of his life of proven concern for and responsibility on environmental issues? Ridiculous question.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden