During the last congressional election cycle, Congressman Doc Hastings rarely spoke out against his opponent Richard Wright. Rightly so that despite a nation wide surge in democratic support that ultimately led to 2006 wave, Hastings seat was safe. Safe from a surge of financial support from his opponent and message, and safe in a district that still hadn't come around to the realities many were so seemingly insulated from. But those realities; an endless war, a faultering economy, rising health costs, gasoline prices and Global Warming... those realities are quickly becoming more stark as the presidential campaign heated up with real discussions amongst Democratic and Republican candidates alike.
MOSES LAKE - Congressman Doc Hastings, R-4th District, during his Thursday visit to the Columbia Basin Herald, took time to discuss comments made by 4th district Democratic candidate George Fearing.When Fearing declared his candidacy last week, he said Hastings does not believe in global warming.
Hastings told the Columbia Basin Herald he understands global warming exists. He said the cause of global warming is the concern. Hastings said he is not convinced people and their actions are the cause of global warming and questions if it is a natural process because the earth has warmed and cooled many times throughout history.
At this point, I don't really believe Hastings has come to a sudden reversal on his position - even his half baked acceptance. Because frankly, I don't think he even believes his own words. His voting record is proof in itself where he has continually supported every drill and dig legislation the GOP could come up with while they controlled congress. A more prudent measure would be if you are not convinced, maybe it would be better to step carefully until you are... one way or the other. But he is now playing the game both with these new statements and the 2008 run. So far, Hastings has been non-commital to another run in the 4th can only play out so long. He doesn't have to heavily engage until he feels threatened. But it is his very position on Global Warming that may bring it to a head.
The problem for Hastings - and Global Warming - isn't whether he actually believes the overwhelming science behind the theory, it's the very district he represents that stands to benefit so much in the effort to counter the effects. Like Congressman Dave Riechert in the 8th, Hastings appears to be following a preconceived conservative script when addressing Global Warming. In Reichert's case, it was merely the shift in his district's demographics driving his semi-acceptance, and where simply dismissing Global Warming would need to be accompanied by a suicide note dated early November, 2006. Needless to say, it will be interesting to watch in the next months if the bargain version of Global Warming will lead to Hastings' declaration of affinity to the issue and pumping legislation or promises to his district to get in the game. After all, nobody ever accused Hastings of not being politically motivated... just a party hack.
One thing for sure, George Fearing and his campaign understand that this district has the goods in both agriculture for bio-fuel crops, wind and solar, and the technological know-how to develop that technology. And a half-hearted acceptance of the scientific evidence behind Global Warming isn't going to inspire the folks who are more than ready and willing to take on the challenges. It makes Hastings 'understanding' of the issue look like a glass mostly full of the same juice they were passing around during the Newt Gingrich era's "Contract with America". Something that is now pretty sour tasting to even voters in his own district.
Crosspost mccranium.org