All of us Kossacks who have ever wanted to know the names of the most enviromentally unfriendly candidates running for national office are in luck. Every election season, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) compiles a Dirty Dozen of candidates for Congress, both Senate and House of Representatives. These candidates consistently vote (or promise to vote) against clean energy and natural resource conservation. Election year 2010 is no exception.
This year, the LCV lists eleven GOTeaP candidates and office holders running for federal office. They also list a bonus ballot measure. It's such a big list that I'll have to break it up into three installments that I'll post during the week.
Join me over the fold for part one, where I feature three GOTeaP candidates and office holders running for election or re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives who are among the national LCV's Dirty Dozen for this year.
NM-02: Steve Pearse vs. Harry Teague
First up among the GOTeaP candidates is Steve Pearce, who is running for House in NM-02 against Representative Harry Teague.
Here's what LCV has to say about Pearse:
"While in office, Rep. Steve Pearce took good care of Big Oil by maintaining their costly tax breaks while voting against every opportunity to create clean energy jobs, reduce pollution and improve fuel economy for New Mexico families," said Karpinski (LCV's President). "His acceptance of nearly a million dollars in campaign contributions proves that as a returning Congressman he would be paid for by Big Oil and that’s why LCV is wasting no time naming him to the Dirty Dozen for the 2010 campaign cycle."
In addition to owning millions of dollars of stock in Key Energy, a Texas-based oil services company, Rep. Pearce has accepted more from the oil and gas industry, $923,972, than from any other economic sector.[4] He has voted to give more than $14 billion in tax breaks to the oil industry, opposed renewable electricity, and fought against fuel efficient cars that would save New Mexico families hundreds of dollars at the pump. LCV helped to defeat Rep. Pearce during his bid for the New Mexico seat in the U.S. Senate in its 2008 Dirty Dozen campaign.[5] During his five years in Congress, Rep. Pearce earned an abysmal lifetime LCV score of 3%.
As for Teague, he's a something of a Blue Dog, as he voted against Health Care Reform, but his Wikipedia entry shows that he's voted for tax credits for renewable energy and for Cap and Trade. He's much more environmentally friendly than Pearse, that's for sure!
Harry Teague's Act Blue page
MN-06: Michele Bachmann vs. Tarryl Clark
The People's Choice award for Dirty Dozen goes to Michele Bachman, who earned 60% of an online vote. And that's just the start of what LCV has to say about her.
"Representative Bachmann’s landslide win as the ‘People’s Choice’ clearly shows voters are fed up with her over-the-top, anti-science rhetoric in which she continually parrots the talking points of Big Oil and other corporate polluters," said Tony Massaro, LCV Senior Vice President for Political Affairs. "Instead of standing up for new clean energy jobs for Minnesota, Representative Bachmann’s voting record and antics demonstrate that she’s more interested in keeping us hooked on the same failed energy policies of the past."
Rep. Bachmann has an abysmal lifetime LCV score of 2%*. She not only voted against the American Clean Energy & Security Act, which would help create over 30,000 clean energy jobs in Minnesota**, reduce carbon pollution and increase energy independence, but she has consistently spread misinformation on the dangers of global warming and benefits of building a clean energy economy. Some of her most baseless claims include:
· "I want people in Minnesota armed and dangerous on this issue of the energy tax because we need to fight back. Thomas Jefferson told us, having a revolution every now and then is a good thing." [3/22/09]
· "I came away with the idea that [the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge] is the most perfect place on the planet to drill." [8/13/08]
· "The big thing we are working on now is the global warming hoax. It’s all voodoo, nonsense, hokum, a hoax." [3/15/08]
· "[T]here isn’t even one study that can be produced that shows carbon dioxide is a harmful gas. There isn’t one such study because carbon dioxide is not a harmful gas, it is a harmless gas. Carbon dioxide is natural. It is not harmful." [4/22/09]
"Representative Bachmann is a global warming denier who is drastically out of step with the American businesses, veterans and workers that are all calling for a clean energy economy and greater energy independence," said Massaro. "The people have spoken and we will work hard to fulfill their request for Representative Bachmann’s defeat this November."
I don't have to tell you what a disaster Bachmann is--that's Bill Prendergast's job! :-)
I also don't have to tell you to support Tarryl Clark, who needs all the support she can against the head of the Tea Party Caucus.
Tarryl Clark's Act Blue page.
MI-07: Mark Schauer vs. Tim Walberg
I'm covering this race for Examiner.com, so you don't have to read more of what I have to say about the candidates right now. However, LCV can certainly give you an earful about Tim Walberg!
Walberg is challenging Congressman Mark Schauer in an effort to win back Michigan’s 7th district. He was named to LCV’s 2008 "Dirty Dozen" list and was subsequently defeated. Walberg opposed every major clean energy reform in Congress in 2008, earning a 0% LCV score.*
"Two dismal years in Congress was proof enough that Tim Walberg will do nothing to create clean energy jobs for Michigan workers or protect national treasures like the Great Lakes," said Tony Massaro, LCV Senior Vice President for Political Affairs. "While Congressman Schauer has fought to ensure that Michigan leads in the creation of the 21st century’s clean energy economy, Walberg seeks a return to Congress to block progress on energy reform and keep our country hooked on the failed energy policies of the past."
During his tenure, Walberg voted against repealing tax breaks to Big Oil, against increasing the use of renewable electricity and against efforts to help American drivers go further on a gallon of gas. Walberg also opposed extending tax incentives to clean energy which would lead to thousands of new jobs in Michigan. Walberg’s lifetime LCV score is a dismal 5%. During his two years in office, he was on the wrong side of conservation and clean energy on 32 out of 33 votes. He even voted against the No Child Left Inside Act, designed to help educate children about the natural environment.
"Tim Walberg is drastically out of step with the Michigan businesses, veterans and workers that are all calling for a clean energy economy and greater energy independence," said Massaro.
Walberg was also the headliner for the 2008 Dirty Dozen list.
Congressman Tim Walberg Named Last Member of the 2008 Dirty Dozen
"Tim Walberg has distinguished himself as one of the most anti-environment members of the 2006 Congressional class," said Duggan. "He has consistently voted against clean, renewable energy and is an adamant supporter of the failed Bush/Cheney energy policies that serve only to increase profits for ExxonMobil and the other big oil companies. The citizens of Michigan's 7th District need a leader who represents them and not the interests of Big Oil."
Rep. Walberg opposed every major clean energy reform in Congress last year. He voted against repealing subsidies to Big Oil, against increasing the use of renewable electricity and against efforts to help American drivers go further on a gallon of gas. Walberg has opposed extending tax incentives to clean energy which would lead to thousands of new jobs in Michigan.
...
"While Tim Walberg has spent the last two years defending Big Oil's record profits in Washington, Mark Schauer has been working with businesses to help them invest in renewable energy technology and create jobs right here in the 7th district," said Schauer Campaign Manager B.J. Neidhardt. "Sen. Schauer has championed renewable energy throughout his career, and he will be a strong advocate for the environment as a member of Congress."
Rep. Tim Walberg's LCV Score is a dismal 5%.* In 2007, he voted against conservation and clean energy and conservation on 19 of 20 key votes. In 2008, he voted against every major piece of clean energy and energy efficiency legislation. He also voted against the No Child Left Inside Act, designed to help educate children about the natural environment.
I very happily voted against Walberg in 2006 and 2008 when I lived in his district. I even more happily voted for Mark Schauer in 2008. I can't vote for him again, as I've moved out of his district, but I can certainly tell you that I would if I could. I can also tell you to donate to Mark's Act Blue page.