McCain global warming ad

Posted: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 3:00 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, 2008 McCain, Ads

From NBC's Andy Merten
While most Republican presidential hopefuls are tackling the issue of global climate change from the angle of the need for energy independence as a national security issue, McCain has not been shy about citing the environmental impacts of carbon emissions as well. And today, his campaign announced the release of a radio ad that addresses the issue.

“In every town hall I heard from you that climate change was real and was a serious threat to our environment,” McCain says in the ad, adding. “I think the time is past when we argue about whether climate change is real or not.”

Although McCain does go on to cast the need for energy independence in a national security light, saying, “It’s not just a greenhouse gas issue; it’s a national security issue,” he remains the only Republican to not shy away from asserting the reality of climate change -- a tactic that may win him favor among some New Hampshire Republicans and Independents, but could fail to resonate with the party as a whole.

The full script for the ad, titled “I Listened,” below:
MCCAIN: “Eight years ago, I hadn’t thought much about climate change. But the people of New Hampshire had.”

ANNCR: “John McCain talks about climate change.”

MCCAIN: And in every town hall I heard from you that climate change was real and was a serious threat to our environment and national security. I think the time is past when we argue about whether climate change is real or not. We have an obligation to future generations to take action and fix it. Not everyone heard you, but I did. And since then I’ve worked hard to find free market solutions to the problem because I know like you know: there’s no problem too tough for the American people to tackle. One of those solutions is to reduce our dependence on foreign oil because it’s not just a greenhouse gas issue; it’s a national security issue. You were right New Hampshire, and I’m glad I listened to you. And I’m still listening.”

“I’m John McCain and I approve this message.”

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Comments

You got to respect the man, he's going to argue his positions, not just the parties. That's how I would advise a candidate to win elections--take a position and explain why you believe it. McCain is an example of bold leadership for both Democrats and Republicans. He's winning me back over, good for him.

--NSMSNBC (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 3:13 PM)

He is the only true conservative in the party. I'll vote for him if he becomes his party nominee and Hillary becomes the democratic nominee. However, if Obama becomes the nominee I’ll vote for Obama instead of McCain

Bee (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 3:23 PM)

'You got to respect the man,...'

why would anyone respect a man who sucks up to bush , who slandered both mccain's and kerry's service?

Tofun,Disney (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 3:33 PM)

Tofun - It's Bush I have no respect for - not John McCain (or John Kerry, either).

I agree with NSMSNBC and wouldn't feel that bad about McCain in the WH.

Let's be honest - we'd be better off with Al Capone and Scoobee Doo in the WH.

Lee in CA (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 3:50 PM)

I'm not a republican but I did like John McCain circa 2000, even though i come from a family of deomocrats i felt he was the most honest, respectable and experienced canidate at that time. Back then he really seemed to be telling it like it was but i think this go round he has been too worried about pandering to the republican base but with this step away from all the other canidates maybe he's starting to tell the people the truth instead of what they want to hear like all the other republican canidates (excelpt Ron Paul who i also like). It wouldn't be the worst thing if he's the rupublican nominee, i would vote for him if Obama doesn't get the nom!!

TC, WPB, FL (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 4:15 PM)

This man is respectable, learns from his mistakes, and will consider an issue before blindly spitting out party line. If he wins his nomination, and Hillary wins hers, I will vote Republican for the first time in my life.

Pete Caloger Bushkill, PA 18324 (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 4:28 PM)

It's not a question of "Global Warming better to be safe than sorry." Choosign to believe the lie about global warming means choosing to hurt the poorest in this world. McCain sold out. Watch the Great Gloabl Warming Swindle. No thinking person can possibly believe that mankind is warmign the planet. An increase in sun activity warms the planet. Siad the one cookie to the other cookie in the oven, "Hey stop warming the oven."

HasABrain (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 4:53 PM)

McCain looks strong these days, stronger than usual at least (he is second for the first time in months in the latest New Hampshire poll: http://www.campaigndiaries.com/2007/11/evening-polls-obama-takes-lead-in-iowa.html ). But he would have been better off if the Michigan GOP had settled on a convention, so today's news is kind of a blow to him.

Daniel, NY (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 4:59 PM)

"No thinking person can possibly believe that mankind is warmign the planet."

Only about 85% of the world's scientists, and anyone who cares to look at pictures of the arctic ice cap between 1975 and 2000, but you just stay away from the edge of the world and all those lies Darwin told, and you'll be OK "thinking person."

Hi Texan. ("Hasabrain" VERY funny!) (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 5:34 PM)

well Lee , the point is that mccain sucked up to bush, and campaigned for him.

he's only an independent republican in the past.. .. now he's just another GOP member.

If he had won the nomination in 2000, he would have won the presidency with no supreme court coup.... but he's no longer than man

Tofun,Disney (Sent Wednesday, November 21, 2007 5:51 PM)

As a Republican who cares about the environment, this ad makes me happy. I hope McCain wins the nomination. I still think he can, but it would require Huckabee winning Iowa to kill Romney's momentum.

Alex Kowaleski, Winter Springs, FL (Sent Thursday, November 22, 2007 12:15 AM)

It is good to see that at least one repub candidate is not adhearing to the anti-science,
anti-intellectual plank of the base line of the party.
There are a lot of small signs that our activities are affecting the climate, anyone who is looking for major shifts to prove that things are changing is hiding from the facts. from bird migration to the number of growing days in the northern parts of the world show change, the volcanic activity throughout history shows that the amount of ash and smoke produced by volcanic activity shows that that ash and smoke affected the climate across the earth. Anyone who observes nature knows that one action always leads to another, it is basic physics. To totally discount scientific evidence is just another silly example of people who want to avoid the problem and pretend there will be victory by avoiding the facts on the ground. Part of the reason the repubs are anti-science is the need to not upset the old testament believers and another is the corporate philosophy that improvements in enviromental stewardship costs money. It is funny that there are two bird metaphors that explain the fight with climate change, anti-science thinkers would considers those that support the view that we are changing the environment are 'chicken littles' and environment change supporters would say that the anti-change crowd are the 'ostriches with their heads in the sand'.
I applaud McCain for stepping up, I just wish he would continue to stride forward and leave the base of the party behind in the dark ages where they want to stay. A little over a month from now we will see small changes as the voters start to choose their candidates, it will start slow like a small snowball and then grow bigger and roll faster, the butterfly affect is real and we are the canaries in the cave(ohh, another bird symbol), if we do not start singing we all die out and become the new deposits of fossil fuels, how ironic that we would become the product of our demise!
happy Thanksgiving to every american and please, give thanks for our freedoms.

John Alexander, Edinboro, PA (Sent Thursday, November 22, 2007 9:34 AM)

He's listened. In 2006, 164 of 182 New Hampshire towns passed the NH Climate Change Resolution calling for mandatory US emission reductons and a robust research and development program - both steered toward protecting the US economy and creating green collar jobs. 4 local NH chambers, 9 newspapers and dozens of health, business, conservation and civic organizations suport the NH Climate Change Resolution. Giuliani and Romney have tin ears. To date, only McCain and Huckabee are in favor of an emissions cap and trade program.

David Plymouth NH (Sent Thursday, November 22, 2007 10:07 AM)

Tofun - I saw it - it disgusted me. McCain gave one little flash of anger in 1999 (I thought Bush was going to dive under the table) and I guess McCain saw his political future flash before his eyes - anyway - when compared to the rest of the GOP field (the part wretched enough to have a shot) and the flea scratcher and sophisticated carney we have now, I would not stroke out over a McCain WH.

Lee in CA (Sent Thursday, November 22, 2007 12:10 PM)

McCain said absolutely nothing in that ad.

Joel, Tucson, AZ (Sent Thursday, November 22, 2007 8:08 PM)

Global warming is a myth. Al Gore is a fraud. Anyone that believes man can change the climate is an idiot.

Humb LePie (Sent Saturday, November 24, 2007 6:03 PM)

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