Eco-Activists Sharpen Plans to Unseat Bush

[DaveSZ]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-enviro22may22,1,4430158.story?coll=la-home-politics

THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Eco-Activists Sharpen Plans to Unseat Bush

Groups target swing states in a concerted effort to woo moderate voters. The president, meanwhile, beefs up his environmental profile.


By James Rainey, Times Staff Writer


In 2000, the Democrats picked a presidential nominee passionate about greenhouse gases, climate change and global energy policy.

But Al Gore also coveted the political center and so — in the view even of some of his supporters — he bit his tongue about his most heartfelt values, on the way to losing the election to George W. Bush.

Four years later, Sen. John F. Kerry has resolved to talk about the environment, but in a new way. He plans to steer clear of extended discourses on global warming and endangered species. Instead, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee is trying to connect with voters by talking about what his staff calls the "kitchen table" issues — mercury-tainted cans of tuna appearing in family cupboards, air pollution worsening asthma for thousands of children and new gas wells pockmarking Western grasslands, leaving hunting grounds scarce of elk and pronghorn.

Aiding him in attempting to unseat President Bush will be an unusually organized and energized environmental community. Stereotyped by some as chanting, placard-waving zealots, environmentalists this year say they will attack Bush with a carefully targeted, multilayered campaign. Concentrating on a handful of swing states, they will take aim mainly at moderates, who aren't typically part of their core constituency.

[onehandle]

1. Good.

And if they do anything in public, try dressing better and involving familes with kids.

Eighteen year olds with "F*ck You" t-shirts impress no one.

[dusty64]

2. Love the spin to

softly paint all of us concerned about the Earth and the crimes our regime have committed against it as fringe whackos. Well I wear that badge proudly.

[truthisfreedom]

3. excellent. a thoughtful approach to this will lead to handwringing and

two-stepping by rove.