GOP Struggles for Unity as Climate Bill Debate Approaches. By Martin Kady, Politico.com, May 27, 2008. "John McCain's tempestuous relationship with his own party will be on full display when the Senate dives into a major global warming debate next week. The question facing Senate Republicans: Are they ready to embrace their presidential nominee's [support for] a cap-and-trade system... It's a debate that may very well divide Senate Republicans and show voters yet another fissure in an already beleaguered party. Democrats don't seem eager to offer a smooth path toward any bipartisan compromise... and a key procedural vote has already been scheduled for June 2. On global warming and other issues, McCain's office is engaged in an intensive behind-the-scenes message coordination effort with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell... By contrast, the debate on a bipartisan climate change bill... offers McCain a chance to stake out a position different from the president's and see if his party will follow. The catch is that many Republicans are uncomfortable with McCain's talk of a cap-and-trade program... Conservatives hope that McCain will back a more market-based approach... 'We're starting to see a coming together on energy,' said Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC). 'Hopefully, he can help us find a position between Warner-Lieberman and where we are as conservatives.' But in this internal debate, one can already see a distinct change in the Republican outlook -- conservatives are trying to figure out legislative options on global warming rather than simply playing defense."
2008-05-27
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