Posted on 03/25/2013 3:32:12 PM PDT by jazusamo
A group at the forefront of opposition to the Keystone XL oil pipeline and a deep-pocketed environmentalist are warning pro-Keystone Democrats that their position could draw them opposition in 2014 primary races.
The political arm of 350.org recently made its first-ever endorsement, backing Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) over Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), a pipeline supporter, in the upcoming special election to replace former Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).
Hedge fund billionaire and environmentalist Tom Steyer and young activists have also jumped in
, going after Lynch over his Keystone backing. Now, 350 Action and an aide to Steyer say involvement in other primaries could be in the offing.
“We've got some time before 2014, but I'd advise their staff to take a close look at Massachusetts,” said 350 Action spokesman Jamie Henn, referring to pro-Keystone Democrats.
“You've got both the grassroots, especially young people, and the big donors, notably Tom Steyer, going after Lynch because of his KXL vote. That campaign, like the tar sands that will flow through KXL, is highly exportable,” Henn added in an email, using an acronym for Keystone.
A spokesman for Steyer, who is a major backer of efforts to boost green energy development, said the Californian might get involved in other congressional races.
“As Tom believes that climate is an issue of our times both in terms of the economic impact on our country and what it will mean to our children — with Keystone being the current front-lines of this policy fight — he intends to evaluate races where climate is very much on the ballot in terms of the candidates in a particular race,” spokesman Chris Lehane.
Lehane said the Massachusetts race provides a model in terms of criteria, noting a “clear distinction on the issue” in an “important” race, and one that involves “being asked to come in by local people in the state or district.”
Stopping Keystone, which would bring oil from Canadian tar sands projects to Gulf Coast refineries, has become a major priority for many environmentalists.
But TransCanada’s Corp.’s proposed project, which remains under Obama administration review, has split Democrats.
The latest sign came Friday when 17 Senate Democrats, in a largely symbolic vote, supported a pro-pipeline amendment to the nonbinding fiscal 2014 budget plan.
By jumping into Democratic contests, environmentalists would be taking a page from conservative groups that often get involved in GOP primaries.
But it’s unclear whether the two green groups with the biggest political operations — the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters — will consider getting involved in primary campaigns against pro-Keystone Democrats.
A Sierra Club spokesman said “Our plans are still in the works for 2014,” while an LCV spokesman said “we’re not going to advertise our political strategy.”
Lehane, for his part, said that where climate change is concerned, Steyer is “is very mindful on the approach Mayor Bloomberg has taken on gun reform.”
The New York City mayor is bankrolling a pro-gun-control ad campaign to pressure swing-state senators and, in a closely watched Illinois battle, recently supported the pro-gun-control winner of the Democratic House primary. He's looking at 2014 primary and general election races.
In the nearer term, Henn said senators who voted in favor of Keystone during the budget battle can expect to hear from opponents of the pipeline.
“Our supporters in Delaware, Florida, Colorado and elsewhere will be bird-dogging their Senators or visiting their offices to make their disappointment known and encouraging them to change their position. These Senators have clearly underestimated how strongly their constituents feel about this issue,” he said.
Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) were among the Democrats that backed the pro-Keystone amendment, which was offered by Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.).
Hopefully the actual voters who are getting ripped off by the high cost of oil and the more expensive "green" energy will get tired of the ripoff.
Oh, please, please, please! An environmentalist revolt from within could make Dem losses explode tenfold come the midterm. It’ll be like running against Green Party candidates. We might pick up seats in some of the blue hellholes. Just let these losers start ranting about recycling human crap to make school lunches.
I hear you. High energy prices hurt all the Dem middle and lower income people...and swing voters!
I love it when the morons eat their own.
:D
Makes perfect sense. The green weenies see the Tea Party candidates making inroads against RINO candidates and they want to get in on the action. This is wonderful news, because I believe their picks will be the total whack jobs that they accuse the Tea Party picks to be.
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