Thursday, January 24, 2008

HORSERACE

The Last Thing I Want to Say on Global Warming and Rush

I've now had a chance to read Rush Limbaugh's comments from yesterday - I missed the beginning - and he began with kind words for me, and I deeply appreciate that. I disagree with him with some trepidation, and I know that for the vast majority of my readers, Rush has the winning hand in this disagreement.

Rush's EIB Climatologist, Roy Spencer, weighs in on Planet Gore.

It seems this disagreement comes down to what constitutes, "conceding the issue." Rush contends that by acknowledging that climate change is happening and that humanity has a role, the right will have more or less lost the battle before it starts, and that the fight will inevitably lead to bigger, more powerful government, controlling the use of energy in this country, and all aspects of life that go with it. I would contend that any Republican candidate who says during a general election debate, "I believe that climate change is a hoax, and thus have no policies to address what I see as a fake problem" is toast.

Perhaps the moment calls for a non-Prius hybrid... the candidate can, and should express skepticism of the Al Gores of the world, but argue that free-market based incentives for cleaner fuels and more energy efficiency are better than the Democrats' alternative.

One of my readers wrote in something worth noting - I can't find that particular message in the deluge of Rush fans helpfully explaining how astronomically wrong I am — but he noted that voters support "action on climate change" so long as it is relatively cost free. Right now, being "green" means buying biodegradable disposable cups and feeling good about yourself. When it means tax hikes across the board and higher prices for everything you buy, they may suddenly conclude that putting their child through college is more important than feeling good about themselves and being approved by Al Gore.

Oh, and one last thought - a few months ago, I was dining with two Hollywood types, one a supreme skeptic of climate change, one a true believer. At one point, the true believer lamented, "Sometimes I feel like what's the point? China and India are going to burn the world anyway."

01/24 08:35 AMShare