Republicans Buy Global Warming

Ok, that might be an overstatement. But at least GOP voters aren’t punishing candidates who have supported legislation to control greenhouse gas emissions. Interestingly, the only two Republican presidential candidates who have endorsed cap-and-trade legislation to control global warming—Mike Huckabee and John McCain—are the victors in the two most important early nominating contests, Iowa and New Hampshire.

It’s unlikely that they won much support for these positions—the environment is not high on the list of conservative voters. But they were not penalized for their positions, which suggests building consensus for global warming legislation will be easier than ever before no matter who wins the White House in November.