"The Total Stupidity Of The Democratic National Committee Is Just Maddening"

[hatrack]

EDIT

The American public — witnessing a stark rise in extreme weather events around the nation — has grown increasingly troubled by the globally disrupted climate, especially Democrats. A CNN survey, conducted in April by the independent research agency SSRS, found that climate change is the top concern among Democratic voters, beating out traditionally hot topics like guns and health care. Consequently, there's been significant displeasure voiced online about the DNC's decision.

"The total stupidity of the Democratic National Committee on climate is just maddening," Justin Gillis, a climate and energy expert who formerly led climate change coverage at The New York Times, tweeted Wednesday night. "With public concern rising, the Democrats should own this issue and run hard on it. Instead they dance around it and let the Republicans get away with gross dereliction." "It's a mistake for the @DNC to refuse to hold a #climate debate, on the most critical issue of this election," tweeted Al Gore. "Why wouldn't the party listen to its voters and give a platform to Dem candidates' ideas on the #1 issue, to contrast with this President's denial?"

EDIT

On Tuesday, the day before the DNC rejected the idea of a climate debate, environmental chemist Sarah Green told Mashable that "it's extremely alarming to see atmospheric CO2 continuing to increase relentlessly year after year when all scenarios that lead to a stable climate require that it go down." "We are heading toward the part of the climate map labeled 'here there be dragons' and rather than turning around, or even slowing down, we are running faster," she added.

EDIT/END

https://mashable.com/article/climate-debate-cancelled-jay-inslee/

[pnwmom]

1. Absolutely agree. The reasons I've heard against doing this are pathetic.

There is NO other issue more important, and it can't be squeezed among dozens of other issues.

And if we highlight it by giving it its own debate, we both own it AND we demonstrate how REAL and IMPORTANT we think it is.

Our window of opportunity is quickly closing, and by the time the next President is elected, we'll have gone BACKWARDS for 4 years. Our next President and Congress need to be prepared to hit the ground running.

And if we lead on climate change, this will help us elect a Democratic Congress, too. People everywhere are being touched by this, and they want solutions -- not bandaids.

[Richard D]

7. " There is NO other issue more important, and it can't be squeezed among dozens of other issues."

If I was religious, I'd give that a big AMEN.

[highmindedhavi]

27. "Thank you Jesus, as my mother would say"

- Sheldon Lee Cooper

[olegramps]

11. We all know the reason for the intransigence of the Republicans. It is basically greed.

Big business is opposed to anything that will cut their profits regardless of the consequences. The Republican Party is owed by the powerful corporate block and it will do whatever required to maintain their financial support. Unfortunately, it applies to some Democrats as well.

[DownriverDem]

13. Too many folks are running

Our goal is to beat trump. Let's focus on that.

[oldsoftie]

17. THIS IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS!!!!

[NoMoreRepugs]

2. Really, the top concern? Sorry, I can't believe that.

I myself am hugely concerned my 4 year old granddaughter might grow up in a world I would not recognize, but a poll stating it's the #1 concern amongst Democratic voters - I call bullshit. Female voters and the assault on their rights to make their own reproductive decisions, the outright attacks on the LBQGT portion of the populace, the disregard for healthcare for as many as possible......and on and on, there isn't a group under our tent that doesn't have an in your face issue affecting them directly.

[True Blue American]

4. Even my DIL

Who comes from a die hard Republican family asked why they are trying to take us back to the 1970’s. She has no desire to go back there. Neither do most women.

I have a pretty good idea that, Climate Change and Health Care will be part of the debates. With 20 people no one is going to shut them down.

[shanny]

5. Maybe it isn't but it should be.

Especially given the way a GND can transform our system and society.

[Duppers]

15. +100

[oldsoftie]

16. The GOP hopes the candidates make the GND the top priority. Because it cant be paid for.

And as soon as real numbers are tossed around the voters will see it too.
And as i point out in other places, as long as China, India & others keep pumping into the atmosphere it matters not what we do

We are already paying more for appliances that dont last nearly as long as the older inefficient ones, so what are we really saving?
We refuse to consider nuclear to get rid of coal, and its the smartest answer to reducing greenhouse gasses. The GND wants to "upgrade" all existing buildings; at a cost of TRILLIONS that we cannot get from raising taxes.
Its just a great thing to talk about, like "what i'd do if i win the lottery". Make it the top priority and we hand the GOP a lot of votes

Blast away!

[shanny]

19. The GOP would have lost WWII

because it was too expensive to fight it. Fuck the GOP and their talking points.

[pnwmom]

24. That is only one plan among many. That's the point of the debate -- to hash them out

while demonstrating that this is a CRITICAL issue that must be handled ASAP. By the time of our new President, we'll have gone backwards for 6 years.

[oldsoftie]

25. Regardless of the DNCs position, it WILL be debated by the candidates.

Everyone has their own level of opinion & they'll let it be known.

[pnwmom]

26. The debate centers around the questions asked. If the DNC insists that this is just one of

dozens of issues, so they can't give it its own separate debate, they are minimizing its importance.

Climate change is THE challenge of our lifetimes, and could ruin the planet for our children and grandchildren -- if we don't take immediate action on a very large scale.

[pnwmom]

23. If it isn't among some it's because we need to TELL THEM. And before it's too late.

The debate centered on the issue would demonstrate how critical the issue is -- it's a matter of life-or-death for the planet.

We have to hit the ground running right after the election, because there's only a ten year window, and we'll have lost another two years by then. We'll have had 6 years going backwards on this issue, with the crisis staring into our face.

[shanny]

3. Amen to that.

[mountain grammy]

6. K&R

[watoos]

8. Too bad Keith Ellison got himself in trouble,

Perez just doesn't inspire me. Can I say that without getting in trouble?

[DownriverDem]

14. Is that his job

to inspire you? Personally the the dangerous moron inspires me every day. All I care about is beating trump. That is my focus. I'm not into fights among the Dems. We don't have time for that.

[shanny]

21. Why yes, it is.

How do you expect to get votes otherwise?

[Lonestarblue]

9. If not now, when do we have that discussion?

Those midwestern farmers who’ve lost crops and homes to floods that are getting worse all the time might be open to hearing about how our policies are helping make the weather worse. Rural areas need hope that they can survive, and investments in manufacturing the elements of green technology would help such communities. And it can be paid for by stopping the federal subsidies for oil and using them for alternative energy.

I have been totally unimpressed with Perez as leader of the DNC. We need someone in there who has some vision. Someone like Stacy Abrams would be great.

[Honeycombe8]

10. This IS maddening.

Climate change is related to so many of my top issues, including the loss of wildlife, the environment, natural disasters, my retirement account investments (natural disasters cause big losses for companies), health.

I expect this from the Republican Party, but I'm increasingly disappointed in the stance of the DNC on this.

I don't know that this is the #1 issue, but it's in the top 5, for sure.

[paleotn]

12. Agreed....

From a purely political standpoint, we need to get in front of this and be the the party of responsible action. Polling among all types of younger voters supports this. From a moral point of view it's without question the most important issue to ever face civilized Homo sapians. The problem is, it's' only Dems, particularly liberal Dems that overwhelmingly take climate change seriously in this country. Seriously enough to support The Green New Deal and significantly impact our own creature comforts to do what's necessary to address it. Compared to Europe and Canada, we're a pathetic joke in public opinions on climate change. When you look at the overall numbers of Americans who think climate change will impact their lives specifically, the numbers are grim. A huge slice of the US population, centered on Republicans and sizable number of independents simply want to party on...climate be damned. In my mind, it seems the DNC is triangulating again. Thinking of this upcoming election only and letting 2024 and onward take care of itself. That said, I'm not particularly confident we will do a damn thing to address the climate problem before it's too late. And even less confident in China, the real elephant in the room. Without global consensus and real change, what we do in the US won't matter much. In short, we're fucked.

https://news.gallup.com/poll/231530/global-warming-concern-steady-despite-partisan-shifts.aspx?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosgenerate&stream=top-stories

[B Stieg]

18. "Two clever by half"

THIS lack of conviction is why I am reluctantly an Independent.
C'mon Dems, this is a REALLY big screw-up.
Global Climate Change is killing us. Period.

[33taw]

20. BEAT TRUMP, the rest will fall in place!!

Our individual agendas and favorite issues are really important, but none will be achieved with the Senate, Supreme Court or President we have in place.

[JudyM]

22. Makes one wonder what is really going on since it seems such a key election issue.