In a volatile political climate, many politicians believe that
their stance on the environment can make the difference between
garnering votes or being left behind.
This Thursday, then, the California League of Conservation
Voters and the unaffiliated League of Conservation Voters will
jointly sponsor a Democratic presidential candidate forum on
environmental issues.
All nine Democratic presidential candidates have been invited to
take part in Thursday’s event, with six confirming, and
others expected to attend.
Confirming participants include former U.S. Senator Carol Mosely
Braun, D-Ill., as well as former Vermont Governor Howard Dean.
Also attending are active U.S. Senators Bob Graham, D-Fla., John
Kerry, D-Mass., and Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., as well as the civil
rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton.
The forum will take place at the Ackerman Grand Ballroom from 5
to 6:30 p.m.
According to the league’s press office, the event can be
attended with the purchase of an LCV membership.
In a statement on its Web site, Deb Callahan, the league’s
president, emphasized the importance of environmental issues both
for the presidential candidates and for the general public.
“This exchange of ideas on the environment, an issue that
voters care so deeply about, will serve the presidential candidates
and the country well,” she stated.
The LCV, a nonpartisan organization, is a major political voice
of the national environmental and conservation movements. The CLCV,
a non-affiliated group, deals with California’s environmental
organizations.
The main goal of both organizations is to increase public
awareness of the environmental performance of all elected
officials, as well as work to get elected environmentally conscious
politicians.
Josh Galper, a representative from the LCV’s press office,
said he knows how important the environment issue is to any
politician.
“More than in any previous election, environmental issues
will be a defining factor in campaign 2004,” Galper said.
He added that the league will be working hard this year to elect
pro-environment candidates to Congress and the White House.
K-ABC Television and CSPAN, will broadcast the event, while NPR
will carry a one-hour version in its environmental program
“Living on Earth,” which will run in different time
slots the entire weekend.
Steve Curwood, the host of “Living on Earth,” will
also be a panelist in Thursday’s forum. The panel will also
include several leading journalists, among them John North, a
reporter for K-ABC, and Pilar Marrero, a political editor for
“La Opinión.” Warren Olney, a well-known
L.A.”“based broadcaster and host of “Which Way
L.A.?” on KCRW radio, will serve as moderator for the
event.
Those interested in the event can log on to the
league’s Web site, at www.lcv.org, and submit questions for
the candidates.