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Sarah Palin Shifting Position on Global Warming Cause? Stands Firm on ANWR

by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY on 09.12.08
Business & Politics

ABC will be running an interview with Sarah Palin this evening on no less than three of its programs (World News, 20/20 and Nightline) and as Earth2Tech puts it, has been milking them for all they’re worth. In the run-up to that interview, last night on Nightline Charlie Gibson spoke with Palin about her view on global warming—she seems to be coming around slightly on global warming being caused by man—as well as her steadfast support of drilling for oil in ANWR.

How Far She's Come?
As an indication on either a) how far she's shifted position for the better or b) how far she's willing to bend to the party line in public at least, Think Progress points out that last December Palin told an Alaskan paper that

I’m not an Al Gore, doom-and-gloom environmentalist blaming the changes in our climate on human activity.

You can make you own decision whether Palin's shift on global warming is a genuine conversion or mere politically pandering.

:: ABC News

Arctic, Global Warming
60% More Greenhouse Gases Trapped in Permafrost Than Previously Thought
New Arctic Map Shows Just What Boundaries We’ll Be Fighting Over For Oil

Comments (15)

Has anyone else noticed her penchant for faux military uniforms?

jump to top rob says:

Something about her just strikes me as wrong. I mean aside from the numerous reports of her stances on things that I disagree with or normal political pandering like this. I really don't like her as a person.

jump to top Cybercat [TypeKey Profile Page] says:

It just comes to show how insane Palin is. Obviously, she can't understand FACTS and the fact of the matter is drilling in ANWR won't may a dent in the gas prices. This is just another neocon pipedream (pardon the pun) that they are trying to force down the throats of the American public. Anyone with a clue would know that this plan is idiotic and fruitless.

jump to top Azhura says:

I guess we can also decide for ourselves whether you (the author) are supportive of her coming closer to the cause or if you are having difficulty restraining your disgust for anyone associated with an elephant instead of an a..... donkey.

Even if she still does support drilling in Anwar, her shift in thinking (real or faux) should be considered a victory of some sort for the environmental cause. Seeing an important politician come around can have a major positive effect on others.

People (including myself) change (in thought and action) incrementally not instantaneously.

jump to top jafoca says:

Al Gore is one of the most hopeful environmentalists out there, as far as I can tell. I mean, his group is called We Can Solve It, and he thinks we can stop using fossil fuel energy in 10 years.

I think this stage of the election is shaping up to be another exercise in fact-free political drama. That ought to change before election day.

jump to top Anthony [TypeKey Profile Page] says:

Being from Canada, I have no voice in the U.S. election but I found this interview with Matt Damon regarding Sarah Palin quite scary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anxkrm9uEJk

We have our own neo-con nightmare going on up here too.

jump to top Al says:

Al Gore is a hypocrite. He's only used the green movement for his personal gain. His carbon foot print is probably larger then any 100 people who read this post combined.

jump to top James says:

If Palin is changing her stance on Global Warming, (perhaps fact regarding the Alaska ice melt has hit home) then she is certainly not going to give any Credit whatsoever to the man, Al Gore, who at last made most people realise that the problem is both real and now, is she?

jump to top Fr. Peter says:

The "drill baby drill" quote sums up for me the difference between Obama and McCain. Neither candidate is as serious about global warming as I would like, but McCain hasn't shown up for a vote on renewable energy in over a year. He has missed the last 8 votes for the renewable energy tax credit. Palin's hedging on the issue, qualifying her agreement that it is possible that humans may have some impact on global warming with a pre-amble about the earth's cycles of warming and cooling seems to me a pretty clear sign that she's been spending more time with global warming deniers... And they are the extreme minority now, so that in itself is scary.

jump to top Matt says:

I did appreciate the skill and relative ease she displayed in re-directing his repeated "you did change your position" line of questioning.

I thought that Sarah Palin admitting "the debate on that (ie global warming) has evolved" was an environmentally positive statement but I was more concerned with the not-so-money* quote

That's why I'm attributing some of man's activities to potentially causing some of the changes in the climate right now

Bah Humbug. I just wish that something a little firmer than her undefined, political baffle-gab** answer would have been harder sought on this issue.


* it's not-so-money because it is so-very-vague

** Yes I am aware the political baffle-gab happens and that it doesn't matter where in the political arena a political party resides.

jump to top TrollPatrol says:

Well Obama supported coal liquefaction, which is far more harmful to the environment and the climate than drilling in ANWR every would, so who's being the hypocrite?

jump to top Dan A says:

sarah palin knows so much...not. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjtCI8CHen8

jump to top Brandon says:

Oh Double Bah Humbug

Just found a recent Palin quote that is clearer than the baffle-gab but not in an environmentally positive manner

Reporter Mike Coppock bold text
VP candidate Sarah Palin, non-bold text

What is your take on global warming and how is it affecting our country?

A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made.



.... Bah Humbug
jump to top TrollPatrol says:

What really blows my mind is that people actually still put faith in the red and blue people. When America starts to think outside the box is when we can expect change. Go democrat or republican, the end result is going to be pretty comparable. The whole thing seems like a wash up to me. Damned if you do damned if you don't I guess.

jump to top Sirerdrick [TypeKey Profile Page] says:

Since caring about the environment is generally regarded as "extreme-left" or "hollywood" that means neither candidate will ever risk stop being vague or skeptic in order to keep votes.

Since sustainability is at the top of my worries I don't feel a particular empathy with any of the candidates- I just wish there was a consensus and the matter that was completely apolitical instead of having TrollPatrol and others arguing who is the "least bad" one.

You're not supposed to vote for the lesser evil...


jump to top Allie says:

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