Global Warming and the Presidential Campaign

Global Warming and the Presidential Campaign

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In 38 years since Earth Day was first established, global warming has been identified as the biggest risk to the planet. All three candidates for president say the US must lead the way in dealing with climate change. What do they propose? We hear about cap-and-trade, subsidies for alternatives like solar and wind and nuclear power. Also, the Supreme Court hears a challenge on the McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Act, and President Bush turned up on a game show last night. We talk about politicians and prime time TV.

Making News

Supreme Court Hears Challenge to McCain-Feingold Act ()

As Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton battle in Pennsylvania for the chance to confront John McCain, one of McCain's signature accomplishments is being challenged in the US Supreme Court. It's the so-called "Millionaire's Amendment" to the McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform Act. Joan Biskupic covers the court for USA Today.

Guests:

Joan Biskupic: Reporter, USA Today

Main Topic

Global Warming and the Presidential Campaign ()

More and more scientists say global warming is happening faster than they expected, while the world's major polluters fail to take meaningful action. As a candidate in the 2000 campaign, George W. Bush promised reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. But as soon as he took office he backed away, and not until this month did he call for halting the growth of greenhouse gases, by 2025 and without any mandates. All three of the candidates to replace him have said that's not good enough. John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton all promise to deal with the issue in the "first one-hundred days," but what are they planning to do? A so-called "cap and trade" bill is already on the Senate's agenda. What does that mean, and where do the candidates stand? Should renewable technologies, like solar and wind, get the kind of subsidies lavished on oil and gas? What about nuclear power?

Guests:

Fred Krupp: President, Environmental Defense Fund
Eric Pooley: Contributor, Time Magazine
Robert Bryce: Managine Editor, Energy Tribune
David Freeman: former Board Member, California Consumer Power and Conservation Financing Authority

Reporter's Notebook

Politicians on Prime-Time Shows, Anti-Elitism? ()

No candidate wants to be called "elitist," even if that means they're better than everyone else. When he played the sax for Arsenio Hall's audience in 1992, Bill Clinton established the precedent for presidential candidates to let down their hair on late-night television. This week, White House incumbent George W. Bush made it to prime-time, not with a speech from the oval office, but with some self-deprecating humor on NBC's hit game show, Deal or No Deal. Michael Calderone is media reporter for Politico.com.

Guests:

Michael Calderone: Media Reporter, Politico

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