Inslee Calls for Climate Change-Only Democratic Debate; Gillibrand Endorses

[Skidmore]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/jay-inslee-calls-for-a-climate-change-only-democratic-primary-debate

Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA), whose presidential campaign has been built on prioritizing climate change above all issues, is calling on the Democratic National Committee to host a presidential candidate debate solely on that one topic.

“This can’t be a one-off question where candidates get to give a soundbite and move on: Climate change is at the heart of every issue that matters to voters, and voters deserve to hear what 2020 presidential candidates plan to do about it,” Inslee wrote in an email to supporters, with an accompanying petition directed at the DNC. “Each 2020 nominee needs to have a concrete plan to address climate change - and we deserve to hear those plans.”

The call comes as a similar though separate petition, conceived by the U.S. Youth Climate Strike Team, has gained traction, nearing the goal of 30,000 signatures as of 8 P.M. on Tuesday. That petition calls for all 2020 candidates to take part in a debate or forum around environmental issues.

Beyond scheduling the first two debates this summer, the DNC has not made commitments about the topics, hosts, or even structure of the rest of the dozen primary debates. In a statement to The Daily Beast, the committee said petitions for a single-issue debate on climate change would be considered, but it didn’t go beyond that....

[LisaM]

1. Agreed, and it would be an even better idea for the Dem/GOP debates.

In my opinion, the debate moderators - if you can call them that - got away with a lot in 2016 by avoiding issues like this and focusing with laser precision on the stolen emails.

[MaryMagdaline]

2. K&R climate change is an issue of human survival

[Gore1FL]

3. I am not sure a debate topic where everyone agrees is all that helpful from a primary perspective.

I think that discussion is better served in the fall. YMMV.

[msongs]

4. one suspects focus on one issue generates more media publicity and no repubs

will be there. repubs will have to respond on the spot one to one w media

[brer cat]

5. It would be helpful to see how the various

candidates are planning to attack this all important issue. I'm glad that Inslee is keeping this front and center.

[artislife]

6. They should!

Climate is my number one issue and that man is the guy I voted for Governor. I hope he gains traction. I would love to vote for him in the General!

[oasis]

7. Good idea.

[LAS14]

8. I got some e-mails inviting me to join a petition about this, but I don't think..

.... petitions do one bit of good... except maybe to give names to the sponsor. And he's already got m name.