A Green Elephant

by Melissa Iglesias, president of the Florida REP Chapter
published in the Orlando Sentinel, June 14, 2008

Many in the news, as well as various environmental organizations that purport to be nonpartisan, have been attempting to cast John McCain as another George W. Bush in regard to all things environmental. That could not be further from the truth.

McCain has been a consistent advocate for curbing global warming, reducing pollution and preserving open spaces. Specifically as it relates to Florida, a few days ago, Obama’s camp stated McCain voted against the 2007 water bill that contained funding for Everglades restoration. That is true, but he voted against it because it was laden with pork-barrel spending.

In addition, McCain worked to fix the bill so as to reform the Army Corps of Engineers and speed up needed and justified projects like Everglades restoration. Further, the senator has stated he believes the Everglades is a national treasure that deserves funding for continued restoration, and he would be proud to support a stand-alone bill that authorizes funding.

Finally, McCain has voted for Everglades restoration in the past. As it stands, it would be very difficult for McCain detractors to try to distort his record and stance on global warming, as he has placed that issue at the forefront of his campaign.

With that said, those who do not want to see McCain advance to the presidency will do whatever they can to provide credible evidence that he is not “green,” but Republicans for Environmental Protection contends he is a genuine “green elephant,” and those donkeys are not as “green” as one might think.