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Political Survival Advice
Everyone Has Become an Environmentalist
Earth Day 2007 has come and gone without enormous fanfare. Maybe that’s because every day is now Earth Day. Concern for the environment is so ingrained into most people that a special day to remind us is hardly needed.
In my opinion, just over the last several months, thanks in part to the enormous coverage given global warming, public sentiment regarding the environment has shifted dramatically and continues to shift – all toward more “green” attitudes and positions.
This is vitally important for politicians and business leaders to understand. In one sense, the war over the environment is over, and the conservationists have won. The masses have embraced the rhetoric of environmentalism, whether it’s global warming, renewable energy, sustainability, clean air, smart growth, open space, mass transit, energy independence and so forth. The people are there, and there’s no use trying to fight it.
Sure, environmental extremism still occurs. Some of what passes for environmentalism is gimmicky and phony. Absolutely, we need to be smart and use good science, not alarmism, in protecting the environment. Certainly, we still need the extractive industries and development and many things that use energy but give us an enviable quality of life.
But underlying all of this is a true groundswell of concern for the environment among citizens and voters. Rightly or wrongly, a real shift has occurred and politicians and business leaders should take note.
As a moderate Republican who grew up loving the mountains and desert and open fields, but harboring a real distrust of “extremist” environmentalists, I have to admit that this all takes a bit of getting used to. The anti-environmentalism language a lot of conservatives have used for decades is badly out-of-date. Green is in. The tipping point has been reached. The hearts and minds of the people have gone green. We see it every day, everywhere. Any politician who fails to recognize that fact does so at his or her own peril. Citizens and society are, as usual, ahead of the politicians.
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- New York Magazine: Columnist John Heilemann looks at the possible presidential candidacies of Al Gore and Fred Thompson -- two Tennesseans with intertwined political histories "whose much-mooted entry into the fray would, as they say, change everything."
-- Washington Post: Two years ago John Edwards "gave a speech decrying the 'two different economies in this country: one for wealthy insiders and then one for everybody else.' Four months later, he began working for the kind of firm that to many Wall Street critics embodies the economy of wealthy insiders -- a hedge fund. ... Edwards's [hedge fund connections are] only one sign of the emergence in national politics of the booming $1.4 trillion hedge fund industry. One of the fastest-growing and most controversial segments of the worldwide investment market, it has campaigned to fend off additional federal regulation and has become increasingly generous in campaign donations."
-- Los Angeles Times: Despite his liberal social views, nationwide Rudy Giuliani "is the No. 1 choice of white conservative Christians for the Republican nomination. A Times poll this month found 26% of them favor Giuliani -- more than double the portion supporting either of his top rivals, John McCain or Mitt Romney."
Today in Political History
April 24, 1800: Congress approves a bill establishing the Library of Congress. (Source: NBC5)
April 24, 1980: An attempt by the U.S. to rescue 53 hostages held in Iran ends in disaster when a RH-53D helicopter collides with a C-130 tanker during refueling procedures at the Desert One landing site. (Source: perspicuity)
Wise Words
“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”
-- Dalai Lama (Source: quotesexchange)
Communications Tip
Dealing With the Press
Good media relations start with understanding how reporters operate. Remember that reporters are pros. They are usually well-educated and they have a job to do. Their agenda is not your agenda. No matter how important you view your issues or priorities to be, reporters will see things independently. They will usually take a detached, arms-length approach. Their priority is to inform the public and sell newspapers or increase viewership or listenership.
Reporters are under pressure from their bosses to produce good stories. They must meet deadlines and write multiple stories. They live in a competitive world where their performance is easily measured. By providing good information, you can become a trusted source for reporters, but don’t expect special treatment. Treat reporters with respect, be fair, and expect reporters to treat you the same way. (Source: Basic Media Relations Handbook)
Lighter Side
News You Can Use
"Boating Linked to Fishing, Study Says"--headline, Soundings Trade Only Today, April 19
Good News for Would-Be Caribbean Dancers
"Pope Approves Report on Teaching Limbo"--headline, Associated Press, April 20
It Went Extinct Looking for Sharks in Utah
"Shark-Eating Dino Fossil Found in Utah"--headline, Discovery News, April 20
That's a Groovy Missile Plan, Comrade
"Gates Gets Cool Russian Response Over Missile Plan"--headline, Reuters, April 23
(Source: James Taranto’s Best of the Web in OpinionJournal.com) |
