The progressive movement is stymied by Washington based environmental groups such as the League of Conservation Voters (LCV). A look at a 2008 House race Kos spent precious resources on (and lost) to last week's House passage of ACES shows it is true.
The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) bets its money on "clean coal". Yet, the LCV, relied upon by some as a seal of environmental approval, makes it clear they will not countenance dissent and would not endorse any member who votes against it.
Some House members, like Rahm Emmanuel's replacement Mike Quigley, are ready to fight the "clean coal" hoax, and attempt progress on the issue when Rahm Emanuel pressures for concessions to dirty power, and whose main concerns are press releases, as Rahm says,
"The only nonnegotiable principle here is success. Everything else is negotiable."
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As John Nichols blogs in The Nation
The LCV's our-way-or-the-highway approach fails to take into account the sincere opposition to the America Clean Energy and Security Act. That is a mistake, as the criticisms advanced by the Friends of the Earth and other groups are legitimate expressions of concern about a measure that Progressive Democrats of America in a letter to key House members on Wednesday described as "seriously flawed" and "a step backward, offering inadequate responses to our urgent needs."
What follows the LCV capitulation and collaboration with big coal is instead of last minute negotiations making the bill stronger, it gets weaker. The last minute amendment granting free pollution credits to new Texas coal plants, that otherwise would have to compete in the market when going online, exemplifies LCV's lobbying efforts.
When Kos put resources into electing Dan Seals in Illinois' 10th district, neighboring Quigley's, he thought Kirk was in serious trouble. Seals' campaign linked to Kirk facts, which listed Kirk's 53% "F" rating from LCV. Nonetheless, LCV endorsed Kirk(they also endorsed Bill Foster (D-IL 14) who voted against ACES). Kirk won 54-46. Kos was wrong. It was reportd Kirk's victory was buoyed by strong environmental views. Kirk voted for ACES and will be treated as a hero by Washington environmental groups like LCV. It begs the question, how can progressives fight that.