Cheaper vs. cleaner: big differences

About the time Bush took office, a strong majority (70 to 23 percent) favored environmental protection "even at the risk of curbing economic growth," according to Gallup. Three years later, the gap had narrowed considerably: Forty-nine percent still favored protecting the environment, but 44 percent agreed that "economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent."

In other words, it seems, the public is moving at least in the direction (if not to the extent) of the Bush position.

Still, the GOP knows it's on tricky ground here.

While the Bush administration and the Republican Congress have worked to roll back some Clinton-era initiatives, ease government regulation, reduce the economic impact of such landmark laws as the Endangered Species Act, and open up more federal land to extractive industries, not all GOP elected officials are fully behind them.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) just signed more than two dozen pro-environment bills addressing topics ranging from hybrid cars and cleaner buses to new protections for the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The state also is on a collision course with the White House over California's proposal to regulate greenhouse gases from autos. Other Republican governors - George Pataki of New York, for example - are seen as much "greener" than Bush as well.

Meanwhile, scientific evidence continues to mount that man-made climate change is occurring. Senator John McCain (R) of Arizona, one of the most respected politicians in the country, is urging the president to do more about global warming.

Voters may be making their decisions mainly for other reasons. But in a confidential memo to elected GOP leaders last year, Republican pollster Frank Luntz wrote, "The environment is probably the single issue on which Republicans in general - and President Bush in particular - are most vulnerable."

Bush

• Supports oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to cut dependence on foreign oil. Has expanded options for natural gas drilling in the West. Provide $4 billion in tax incentives for new energy technologies and conservation.

• Favors more logging on federal lands to create jobs and prevent fires.

• Withdrew US from Kyoto Protocol to limit greenhouse-gas emissions, saying it would hurt the economy.

• Favors storing used reactor fuel from commercial plants in Nevada bedrock.

• Seeks a "Clean Skies Initiative" to cut power plant emissions.

Kerry

• Set goal of 20 percent of energy supplied by renewable sources by 2020. Invest $10 billion in automobile fuel efficiency, $5 billion in hydrogen research, and $10 billion in clean coal. Opposes oil drilling in ANWR.

• Favors clearing brush and timber only around communities to prevent fires.

• Voted against Kyoto Protocol, but wrote legislation to cut greenhouse-gas emissions.

• Favors keeping used reactor fuel at commercial plants.

• Pledges tougher enforcement of air pollution laws. Would lead a "restore America's waters" campaign to protect rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Sources: Campaign websites, AP

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