Candidates able to solve climate change

Up to this point in modern politics, we have been raised in this disenchanted country of ours to put little faith in the words of politicians. I came from a family evenly split along the traditional party lines. Needless to say, once the wine began to flow at Thanksgiving dinners, the table conversations turned into yelling matches. I became calloused and apathetic to the partisan politics that weren’t solving anything. But for the first time in a long time, it feels like there are presidential candidates who truly have the capacity to address the issues facing our generation – one of the most pressing being climate change.

To be succinct, I will state the reasons for supporting Sens. McCain and Obama on their respective party tickets.
Utilization of pragmatic, common sense politics

Both candidates show an uncanny ability to transcend typical party rhetoric and state things as they are. They know that the issue of climate change is not just an environmental matter, but also an economic, social and national security issue. Millions of green jobs can be created in this wavering economy if the federal government shows a real commitment to renewable energy technologies. The other Republican candidates in the race have not shown this same level of aptitude when addressing the topic. Obama and McCain have also been very receptive to the needs and demands of their fellow citizens, much more so than the typical politician.

A history of bipartisanship, and the ACTUAL ability to bring both parties to agreement
In these crucial early years of the 21st century, our nation cannot afford to have another four years of stagnancy in our capital. Though Sen. Hillary Clinton calls for a number of great policies directed at combating global warming, she is also one of the most divisive figures in American politics, which cannot be overlooked. It doesn’t matter how great your proposals are if they stand no real chance of being enacted. Sens. Obama and McCain have both proven countless times that they can work across the aisle with much success.

Consistent stances on climate change and energy policy
Both senators support a cap-and-trade system to cut U.S. emissions. Obama calls for a bill that would reduce greenhouse gases to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. McCain was a coauthor of the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act, which would cap emissions from utilities, industry and transport at 2004 levels by 2012 and then gradually decrease emissions to about 30 percent of 2004 levels by 2050. There are a myriad of other proposals they have put forth, but I won’t rattle your brain with more wonkery. Check them out on your own time, you valued voter!

A history of rejecting the inertia of corporate lobbyists in Washington
Sen. Obama has championed an extensive narrative of ethics reform legislation. In the first two weeks of the 110th Congress, Sen. Obama helped lead the Senate to pass the Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act, a comprehensive ethics and lobbying reform bill, by a 96-2 vote. This landmark bill was signed into law in September 2007. Sen. McCain has shown no less resolve in this matter. He put forth a number of important reform policies, most notably the passing of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002. While other Republicans reiterate that they are “from the party of Theodore Roosevelt,” few are as steadfast as McCain. Roosevelt railed against the notion that private interest always trumps public good. He believed, says McCain, that “base materialism tempted people to indolence and greed.” Rival candidates Clinton and Romney are very much a part of the lobbyist culture that has dominated in the government for so long.

Now I’m not in complete agreement with every policy proposal put forth by both of these candidates, most notably, their endorsement of “clean” coal technology (bleh). But coal is undoubtedly going to be used in America for the next couple of decades, and that’s just a reality I’ll have to accept. The greater realization is that there are two presidential candidates who can actually tackle the issue of climate change, and that’s damn refreshing.

Ben Eckold is a business junior, a member of the Empower Poly Coalition and a Mustang Daily environmental columnist.