GOP Wants to Attack Perriello on Energy? Bring It.

Posted by The Green Miles

So Republicans plan to highlight Rep. Tom Perriello's support for the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) Act in next year's election? I'm not just asking for them to follow through on their threat; I'm begging. Please. Pretty please. With sugar on top. Tell voters about Rep. Perriello's support for clean, made-in-America energy at every campaign stop.

In today's edition of The Hill, Democratic pollster Mark Mellman says Republican attacks on clean energy legislation backfire in three ways:

First, they confirm the potent role of the Flat Earth Society in their party. For years, many GOPers have embraced a contemporary version of the know-nothing philosophy, thereby alienating the party’s former base among better-educated, upper-income voters. In a country where 78 percent believe global warming is either happening now or foresee it in the future and where 69 percent believe global warming already constitutes a serious threat, allying themselves with the deniers only cements Republicans’ “know-nothing” image. [...]

Second, by opposing clean-energy legislation, Republicans reveal themselves to be anti-jobs. The economy and jobs are voters’ greatest concern and our surveys reveal that Americans believe efforts to curb global warming will be an engine driving job growth. A majority believes “efforts to reduce global warming will create new American jobs,” while just 21 percent side with Republican leaders who claim these efforts will cost jobs. Here again, in refusing to recognize the job-creating potential of a move to clean energy, Republicans are a party without a base — there is no segment of the population where a majority agrees with them. [...]

Finally, in railing against making polluters pay, Republicans reinforce their image as defenders of corporate greed at the expense of the national interest. Some energy prices may increase slightly in response to this legislation, and while GOPers want to call that a tax, voters reject that label — instead calling it corporate greed by a nearly 20-point margin.

And as the Republicans roll out their self-defeating attacks, progressives will be there to defend Rep. Perriello and others with the courage to stand up for what's right.

If you can spare a few dollars, please contribute to Rep. Perriello right now as I just did. Each donation will let him know we're behind him all the way. (I also kicked a few dollars to Rep. Dan Maffei, a fellow Syracuse grad).

As for Democrats like Rep. Glenn Nye who voted against ACES ... do they really think Republicans won't attack them anyway? Are they kidding themselves?