Hah, did I write “Bull Mouse”? I kind of like it, too. Will not correct it.
I agree with @squirreltown. It’s not just unfair, but it would be strategically self-inflicting to blame the Dems for the lack of action climate change.
It’s true that a handful of Democrats from coal states sided with ALL Republicans to slow a 2010 vote on carbon pricing after the Democratic House at passed Waxman’s very good bill. But it’s simply illogical to blame the overwhelming majority of the officeholders in an entire party when a very small minority from that party sided with the other party to block action that the overwhelming majority of Democrats supported vigorously.
After the Senate’s inability to pass carbon pricing in 2010, for the rest of Obama’s two terms, both congressional chambers were led by Republicans who made no secret of the fact that it was they who blocked climate change action. In fact, in some crucial cases, the Democratic minority fought like hell to prevent the GOP from doing even more damage. And the GOP attacked Democrats for their “war on coal.” So honestly, I don’t know where you’re coming from on that.
Also, let’s not forget that – despite the intransigence of the Republican Congress – President Obama managed to get the U.S. headed in the right direction when it came to climate change. He was instrumental in the Paris Accord, and I can tell you firsthand that he did more than all previous presidents combined to advance clean energy and energy efficiency.
Far from “pushing” Democrats to do what they’ve already been trying to do, Greens would – as I thought we agreed above – harm Democrats. Let’s not forget that the single actual achievement of the Green Party was to get George Bush elected over Al Gore – a guy who ended up winning Nobel Peace Prize for his work on climate change.
For an example of what could happen, just look at Missiouri, where Democrat Claire McCaskill generally supports climate action and faces a very, very difficult re-election battle. If she loses next year because, say, a Green Party Nader wannabe attacks her from the left and takes 0.5 percent of her vote, Missiourians will be left with a corrupt, hard-right, climate-denying senator. Thanks, “Greenies.”
And Greenies would be just as bad if they went after Manchin, who votes where his constituents want him to vote on energy issues (i.e. badly). Because the total piece of shit who would replace Manchin will be far more extreme on climate issues, far worse on a host of other issues, and – most importantly – will vote for McConnell, which means more anti-climate horrors.
So, no. I totally disagree with you. Greens would help Republicans destroy the planet. And frankly a Sanders-ite campaign against any of the red states senators who are fighting for their lives this year would be just as self-destructive. Because … ain’t no Bernie Sanders-type that’s gonna win in West Virginia or South Dakota.