The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Didn't Mean to Leave out Newt

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I recently wrote about the declared and undeclared GOP candidates' positions on global warming. I neglected to mention Newt Gingrich. To recap: 1) John McCain and Rudy Giuliani (and this summer's National Review article ) have said they believe that the weight of evidence supports the conclusion that global warming is real and results at least in part from human activity. 2) Mitt Romney has been more circumspect on his views of the science but in practice has supported steps similar to those advocated by Giuliani, stating "Rudy Giuliani is right in terms of an Apollo project to get us energy independent, and the effects of that on global warming are positive." and 3) Fred Thompson contends people who believe in global warming are like the flat earth believers in Galileo's time.

In his debate with John Kerry earlier in the year Newt said: "My message, I think, is that the evidence is sufficient that we should move toward the most effective possible steps to reduce carbon-loading of the atmosphere." As to proposed solutions, he advocates ""a new science- and technology-based entrepreneurial, market-oriented and locally led environmentalism."

Whether because he has concluded that the science is persuasive or whether he sees the political upside, Newt has clearly thrown his lot in with those who do not want to cede this issue to the Democrats. As with healthcare, he and others are betting that the better tactic is to use the issue as another opportunity to demonstrate Republicans' commitment to free markets and innovation and their opposition to the heavy hand of government.

topics:
John McCain, Environment, Global Warming, Energy