Tuesday, June 25, 2002

LCV'S Dirty Dozen QUOTE OF THE DAY - "It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." -- Samuel Adams Rhino here: With less than 20 weeks to national elections, the environment is the most potent issue for progressive candidates. Polls show that voters pay attention to kitchen table issues like air and water pollution, toxic waste, and suburban sprawl. Every seat counts in the closely divided House and Senate. A net loss of even a few pro-environment seats threatens the future of environmental policy, including the fate of pristine wilderness areas, restrictions on roadless areas in our national parks, and the continuing protection of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) distributes information on political campaigns across the country. They operate on the assumption that when voters get accurate information about issues and candidates, the environment wins. Two of their informative programs are: * The Dirty Dozen Campaign - LCV's signature program which helps defeat vulnerable anti-environmentalists running for the House and Senate. By educating voters - through mailings, TV and radio ads, and in the media - LCV prevents candidates from "greenwashing" their poor environmental records. Independent of candidate or party, LCV campaigns have resulted in the defeat of 23 of 37 targeted candidates in the last three national elections! Learn more at: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/4538 ** Lifetime Scores - The Lifetime Score of a candidate is based on LCV's National Environmental Scorecard, which rates Members of Congress on their votes on environmental issues. Learn more at: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/4539 LCV's National 9:40:19 AM    comment

THE LCV INSIDER: The Political Voice of the Environmental Movement Vol. 1, Issue 1 - June 19, 2002 So what did Americans learn about their Congress in the latest issue of the Scorecard? Unfortunately, the 2001 edition revealed a disturbing trend. Since 1981, Congress has become ever more sharply divided on the environment. Although the overall average has remained roughly the same, more members than ever scored a perfect 100%, and more than ever scored zero. In 1981, there were 9 zeros and 22 perfect scores in the House. By 2001, those numbers had grown to 97 members with zeros and 58 with 100% scores! Congress is polarized on the environment, but the public is not! Americans continue to be overwhelmingly in favor of strong laws to clean and protect our environment, and frustrated by the slow pace of getting there. Together, we can make sure that Congress knows America's pro-environment majority is voting on their beliefs. Find out how YOUR representative voted and let him/her know you're watching their votes and actions on the environment! http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/4543 Learn how to help and get timely updates on critical campaigns across the country.by subscribing to our LCV Weekly Insider at: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/4535 9:36:01 AM    comment

Tight South Dakota Race May Have Devastating Eco-Impact In South Dakota, Rep. John Thune (LCV Lifetime Score 11%)** is challenging incumbent South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson (LCV Lifetime Score 73%). The race is described by all major political analysts as a toss-up. The Thune-Johnson contest is one of the most hotly contested races in the country. Early this month, Thune became the first LCV Dirty Dozen target of the 2002 campaign season. This contest is a test of strength between Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and the White House, which has declared this race a top priority. Thune's dangerous environmental record is LCV's focus. His record includes votes for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Great Lakes, against energy conservation and efficiency, and against stricter standards for arsenic in drinking water. Read a profile of John Thune's anti-environment record at: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/4536 For a recap of Thune's 2001 votes against the environment, visit: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/4537 9:34:13 AM    comment

An Environmental Leader In Jeopardy Minnesota's 2002 Senate race is destined to be one of the closest in the country and one of the most crucial for the environment. LCV Environmental Champion Paul Wellstone (LCV Lifetime Score 96%) was first elected to the Senate as an underdog, under-funded reformer taking on a powerful opponent -- and he begins this year's campaign for re-election in nearly the same position. Wellstone's most powerful opponent sits in the White House. Bush handpicked Wellstone's challenger, and promised full political resources to deny him another term in Senate. Wellstone is essentially tied with St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman according to polls. While incumbents normally enjoy a significant financial advantage over challengers, the fundraising battle between these two candidates is just as close as the polls. This unusual parity reflects both the strong push by the Bush administration on Coleman's behalf (Vice President Cheney personally intervened to clear the field for Coleman, forcing the state house minority leader out of the race), and the degree to which Wellstone's reformist agenda has alienated some powerful special interests. Minnesota has elected some of the most anti-environmental members of Congress in recent years - including 2000 Dirty Dozen target and former Senator Rod Grams (LCV Lifetime Score 9%). This race is certain to be one of a handful that decides the future of Senate environmental policy. Learn more about LCV's Environmental Champions program at: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/4540 Learn about Environmental Champion Paul Wellstone at: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/4541 Read about LCV's victory over former Sen. Rod Grams at: http://www.care2.com/go/redirect/2/4542 9:30:26 AM    comment

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