Latest News Rep. Walt Minnick's climate change vote may cost him
| July 05 2009
Voting with the GOP might seem like an easy political choice for the Idaho Democrat. But could it be a problem when he needs clout to help the state?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked Walt Minnick what it would take to get him to vote for a climate bill that would cap greenhouse gas emissions and allow industries to trade pollution credits.
The vote was expected to be close and Pelosi was willing to make sure Minnick, the congressman from Idaho's First District, got what he wanted for his constituents or state businesses. Several other Democrats in the room got what they wanted - including more for farmers, and changed their votes.
"She asked me if I was able to vote for it now," Minnick said. "I said 'No Nancy, I don't believe in cap and trade.' "
But saying no to Pelosi was far easier than telling his friends and former environmental colleagues Rick Johnson, executive director of the Idaho Conservation League, and Bill Meadows, president of the Wilderness Society, that he would oppose the bill.
"I told him a no vote was a mistake, because this is one of the most important issues for the state, the nation and the world," Johnson said.
The bill passed the House June 26, 219-212. Minnick's opposition could be considered a savvy political vote in his conservative district, where many voters are skeptical whether human activity is changing the world's climate.
Opposition to this measure comes easy for Idaho Republicans - the rest of the delegation has steadfastly opposed this way to combat climate change.
But as the lone Democrat, Minnick's vote threatens to undercut the support of a major part of his core: environmentalists. Many of the people who manned the phones, gave money and went door-to-door to help the former businessman get elected in 2008 were environmentalists.
The League of Conservation Voters' executive director, Gene Karpinski, told Minnick that his group will not endorse anyone who voted against the bill.