The Right Climate for Bipartisanship
Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and John Kerry (D-MA) recently penned a New York Times op-ed entitled "Yes We Can (Pass Climate Legislation)." In the article, the two Senators make a strong case for bipartisan legislation that tackles both climate change and energy security. They tout a new framework for bridging the partisan gap that has stymied climate legislation in the past.
This rare display of constructive bipartisanship has breathed new life into efforts to pass climate change legislation this year and dramatically changed the tone of the debate.
Suddenly, Democrats are uncharacteristically open to nuclear energy and additional offshore oil drilling.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) called the Graham/Kerry effort "encouraging" and added, "As a supporter of increased nuclear and domestic energy production, I think there is receptivity in the House to additional discussion on these issues."
Environment and Public Works Committee chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who previously voted against a climate bill because it promoted nuclear energy, now appears willing to have a robust nuclear provision in her own climate bill.
On the Republican side, Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH)—a leader in the effort earlier this year to brand the House climate bill a “cap-and-tax” proposal—said the Graham/Kerry effort “could be a major step forward,” and Senators Murkowski, Corker, Collins, Isakson and McCain also offered positive comments.
This collaboration has also won Senator Graham praise in his home state from both the environmental and the business communities. Environmental groups called it a “game changer.” Otis Rawl , executive director of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, agreed that Graham’s effort to find legislative compromise “is in the best interest of business.”
These results show the impact that a bit of political courage can have in our increasingly polarized political environment.
Senator Graham has chosen to step forward and help solve real problems facing our nation at a time when too many Republicans are content to busy themselves with political gamesmanship, or pander to the tea-party crowd.
Graham’s bipartisan approach on climate change and energy security should also be a winner with voters. Polling has consistently shown that a majority of voters want action to reduce carbon emissions, less dependence on foreign sources of energy, and more bipartisan effort to solve the nation’s problems.
A poll conducted in Illinois earlier this year by Republican pollster Whit Ayres found that three-fourths of voters believe Republicans should work with Democrats to craft a bill to cut carbon emissions. That number included 54 percent of Republicans and 73 percent of Independents.
A nationwide Zogby poll in August found that 71 percent of voters indicated support for the climate bill passed by the House in June, including 45 percent of Republicans. Since it is safe to assume the respondents did not actually read the bill, the poll is simply another indicator that addressing climate change enjoys broad public support.
With public sentiment favoring more comity in Congress and action to address climate change, opposing climate legislation is not the best way for Republicans to distinguish themselves from the Democrats. A better approach is to work constructively to produce a bipartisan climate bill that is better than one crafted solely by Democrats—then point out how the GOP improved the outcome.
This constructive approach will pay more dividends on Election Day than one rooted primarily in denial and demagoguery.
Senator Graham understands this. He recognizes the value of problem-solving over gridlock and of statesmanship over partisanship. In short, he is adhering to the old McCain campaign slogan: “Country First.”
Of course none of this will matter to the loudest voices on the right who are blinded by partisanship and a radicalized world view. Senator Graham will now become the target du jour of Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, as does any Republican with the audacity to seek bipartisan solutions to our current problems.
For the sake of our nation, our party and our planet, other Republican Senators need to ignore the voices of polarization and roll up their sleeves like Senator Graham.
When asked about the prospect of addressing climate change and giving Obama a victory Graham said:
I think CO2 emissions are damaging the environment and this dependence on foreign oil is a natural disaster in the making. Let's do something about it. I'd like to solve a problem, and if it's on President Obama's watch, it doesn't bother me one bit if it makes the country better off.
I’ll vote for that.