Unequivocal bipartisan support for clean-energy security
Frank Luntz, one of the nation's most prominent Republican pollsters, has just released new public opinion data with very good news about bipartisan support for strong climate and clean energy policy. Luntz worked with New Gingrich to coin the “Contract with America” concept in 1994, and guided many years of strategies and messages for fighting against action on climate change. But last week, he released new research that shows the American people are eager for Congress to act on climate legislation that would promote energy independence and a healthier environment. The newly released public opinion data indicates deep bipartisan consensus on the need to reshape the energy-environmental debate and illustrates a clear path forward for Senators as the 2010 climate change debate heats up on Capitol Hill.
Frank Luntz, one of the nation's most prominent Republican pollsters, has just released new public opinion data with very good news about bipartisan support for strong climate and clean energy policy. Luntz worked with New Gingrich to coin the “Contract with America” concept in 1994, and guided many years of strategies and messages for fighting against action on climate change. But last week, he released new research that shows the American people are eager for Congress to act on climate legislation that would promote energy independence and a healthier environment. The newly released public opinion data indicates deep bipartisan consensus on the need to reshape the energy-environmental debate and illustrates a clear path forward for Senators as the 2010 climate change debate heats up on Capitol Hill.
Gregg Small, Executive Director of Climate Solutions, recently sent the following letter to our supporters.
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Dear Friends,
Frank Luntz, one of the most prominent Republican pollsters, has just released new public opinion data with very good news about the bipartisan support that exists for strong climate and clean energy policy. Luntz worked with New Gingrich and coined the concept “Contract with America” in 1994 and guided many years of strategies and messages for fighting against action on climate change. Last week, he released new research that shows the American people are eager for Congress to act on climate legislation that would promote energy independence and a healthier environment. The newly released public opinion data indicates a widely shared bi-partisan consensus on the need to reshape the energy-environmental debate and illustrates a clear path forward for Senators as the 2010 climate change debate begins on Capitol Hill.
Luntz said that passing legislation that boosts national security and energy independence, promotes innovation and new technology, creates jobs, and reduces pollution as part of a declining cap on carbon emissions is smart politics for Republicans and Democrats alike.
“Americans want their leaders to act on climate change – but not necessarily for the reasons you think,” Luntz said. “A clear majority of Americans believe climate change is happening. This is true of McCain voters and Obama voters alike. And even those that don’t still believe it is essential for America to pursue policies that promote energy independence and a cleaner, healthier environment. In reference to recent political events, Luntz added: “People are much more interested in seeing solutions than watching yet another partisan political argument.”
For a more detailed look at the polling data is here.
Key take-aways:
- Republicans and Democrats agree that national security is the top reason to enact comprehensive climate policy. Luntz noted that national security“crosses demographic lines, is embraced by opinion elites and doesn’t require a belief in climate change.”
- Pitted against economic and environmental arguments, national security was consistently the highest priority.
- McCain voters in Luntz’s qualitative research strongly believe “the costs of our addiction to oil are too high in terms of lives, money, foreign policy and standing in the world.”
- Reducing pollution and holding companies that pollute “accountable” enjoys broad bipartisan support.
- Americans see climate legislation as more than just corporate social responsibility. When given a list of business and economic reasons to support the legislation, the top choice mirrored the public’s highest priority for Washington and Wall Street: accountability. The exact language of the statement:
“Cap and trade will limit the amount of pollution companies can emit, giving companies incentives to reduce emissions—and holding those who don’t accountable…”
This was chosen as the top reason for supporting the policy among both Obama and McCain partisans – a rare example of bi-partisan public consensus.
This was chosen as the top reason for supporting the policy among both Obama and McCain partisans – a rare example of bi-partisan public consensus.
I hope you find this information of interest.
Sincerely,
Gregg Small
