A new poll (pdf) shows that independent thinking on Climate Change is similar to that of Democrats and could be used as a wedge issue by Democratic candidates.
Two out of three Undecideds (65%) say that if global warming is happening, it is mostly human caused, the same as likely Obama voters (65%).
Only 27 percent of likely Romney voters, however, say that if it is happening, global
warming is mostly human caused, while 50 percent say global warming is caused by
natural changes in the environment.
Undecideds as well as likely Obama voters say that President Obama (64% and 61% respectively) and Congress (72% and 78%) should be “doing more” about global
warming.
However, while over half of Undecideds and likely Obama voters say that in the future the U.S. should use fewer fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas (55% and 65%
respectively), fewer than half of likely Romney voters agree (38%).
This comes from the Atlantic:
Is Climate Change the Sleeper Issue of the 2012 Election?
by Chris Mooney
It was quite the messaging turnaround. In his September 6 acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, President Obama -- whose reticence about so much as mentioning global warming has flummoxed environmental activists -- used the subject to launch an unexpected attack on his opponent. "Climate change is not a hoax," the president declared. "More droughts and floods and wildfires are not a joke. They are a threat to our children's future." In the after-speech gabfest, Politico cited the moment as one of Obama's top applause lines.
Obama's shift comes as pollsters and strategists are increasingly saying that Democrats -- and even perhaps some Republicans -- could be using the climate issue to their political advantage, especially after a summer of drought, wildfires, and record heat. Ever since the collapse of cap and trade, it's been "strong conventional wisdom, even within major environmental organizations, that it can hurt us to talk about climate change," explains climate strategist Betsy Taylor, whose consulting firm Breakthrough Strategies and Solutions just released a new report on the subject. "And I think that was a mistake."
The first of these studies emerged in 2011 from Stanford pollster Jon Krosnick and his colleagues. The researchers conducted a survey in which respondents were broken into three groups, and then asked to support a hypothetical Senate candidate who either (1) denied the science of global warming and attacked cap and trade, (2) accepted the science and called for action, or (3) took no position on the issue. The result was clear: 77 percent of respondents supported the "green" candidate, 65 percent the neutral candidate, and only 48 percent the denier candidate. Both Democrats and independents strongly favored a green candidate over a neutral one, while for Republicans it was basically a wash -- neither a pro or anti-climate candidate moved them much. "By taking a green position on climate, candidates of either party can gain votes," Krosnick's team concluded.
Please take the time to read the whole article.
The findings indings show most Americans thought the government needs to take action on Climate Change.
82% of Democrats agreed
68% of Independents agreed
44% of Republicans agreed
CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FOR A STRONGER AMERICA: A GUIDE FOR ENGAGING AND WINNING ON CLIMATE CHANGE & CLEAN ENERGY
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
1) The poll the playbook is based on found that:
Voters have taken note of the nation’s unusual and severe weather. While still uncertain about the causes of climate disruption, most recognize it is real.
Voters are hungry for optimistic solutions and confident leadership to address climate change and clean energy. Two-thirds disagree that nothing can be done and that we can’t afford to act.
Voters recognize big fossil fuel companies have unfair influence over energy policies.
The time is ripe to exploit exploit Republicans' venerability on Climate Change. This is some low hanging fruit for Democrats to attract independent voters. I doubt that Republicans will still be rigidly clinging to Climate Denial when the 2016 rolls around.