Sarah Palin on global warming: Humans might be partly to blame

Sarah Palin,  who has struck many as a refreshing break from politicians-as-usual, seemed to do Thursday what politicians usually do as their horizons expand -- moderate a previous position on a controversial subject.

By the same token, a close reading of what she said shows a lot of hedging on her hedge.

The subject was global warming, covered in Chapter 2 of ABC's multi-part interview with the Alaska governor whom John McCain cast as his running mate. Just a few weeks ago, in an interview with the conservative-leaning website Newsmax.com, Palin had this to say: "I'm not one ... who would attribute [global warming] to being man-made."

Asked about that view by anchorman Charlie Gibson in a clip played on "Nightline," her initial response was: "I believe that man's activities certainly can be contributing to the issue of global warming, climate change."

A shift, to be sure, but note the use of "can be" instead of "are."

Borrowing another page from those oh-so-loathsome typical politicians, she sought to re-frame the discussion. Said Palin: "Regardless, though, of the reason for climate change, whether it's entirely, wholly caused by man's activities or is part of the cyclical nature of our planet -- the warming and the cooling trends -- regardless of that, John McCain and I agree that we gotta do something about it, and we have to make sure that we're doing all we can to cut down on pollution.... Things are getting warmer. Now what do we do about it? And John McCain and I are gonna be working on what we do about it."

Gibson wasn't ready to move on, though. He said: "Yes, but isn't it critical as to whether or not it's man-made? Because what you do about it depends on whether it's man-made."

She responded: "That is why I'm attributing some of man's activities to potentially causing some of the changes in the climate right now."

Again, an apparent shift. But note the wiggle room she left herself with that word "potentially."

Somewhere inside the Beltway, grizzled politicos were smiling.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Democrats 08]

What a liar she is, now all of a sudden she is changing her tune for votes! Ignorant, inexperienced, flip flopper, disaster waiting to happen. The last thing America needs is this creepy, ignorant pinhead hackey mam..

[Chris Stewart]

She responded: "That is why I'm attributing SOME of man's activities to POTENTIALLY causing SOME of the changes in the climate right now."

Wiggle room? She could drive a truck through that answer. Go, Sarah! Vaugeness is what we need in our next VP.

[Gaias Child]

somebody please show this pretty confident moron al gore's movie.

[Doug]

"That is why I'm attributing some of man's activities to potentially causing some of the changes in the climate right now."

Feels like high school. She doesn't have the guts to deviate from the party line. How's that change?

[Leann]

Who cares what she says!

[Annoyed]

"I believe that man's activities certainly can be contributing to the issue of global warming, climate change."

Huh...You think?!

[Beth Johnson]

I would like to invite Palin to refer to the human race in other terms than the outdated, biased "man's." I would also like to invite Palin to talk to a scientist. God help us if she and that old man are elected.

"I WILL NEVER SURRENDER IN IRAQ."

GOD HELP US.

[J Nihil]

Palin is just another "fast food" version of a politician.

People don't want to hear real answers. Real answers are LONG and BORING.

People like short, catchy, one line phrases that make good soundbytes. The less thinking the better.

Interviewer: So what exactly are you planning on doing to fix the sluggish economy?
Palin: We're going create more jobs!!!

Uh, someone wake me when this is over.

[Jerome]

'She responded: "That is why I'm attributing some of man's activities to potentially causing some of the changes in the climate right now."'

Is that even grammatical? All I can read out of it is 'wiggle, wiggle'.

[Ben Wiles]

Sure she agreed that humans have to have played "a" role. But she never says, and Gibson never questioned, how much. 10%, 50%,- What? Made her extreme view on global warming seem mainstream.

Policy for a world where global warming is primarily caused by humans looks very different than one driven by natural cycles.

[Frisco]

At least she didn't stummer like your man OBAMA.

[benjaminb]

also some of the sunlight may be interacting on some level with certain plants that could potentially under certain circumstances induce photosynthetic-like effects that we might observe,... or maybe flowers are just happy.

also there may be according to some experts a largely pervasive force that often attracts objects of small mass to other objects observed to have very large mass, ...or perhaps objects fall to the ground because it is simply part of God's plan.

if energy=security is her most important qualification and she has no logical position on the role of 'energy' in the climate crisis, then she simply has nothing. Is drilling in ANWR actually her answer? That's it?

That's like an alcoholic rationalizing why one more drink isn't make difference at this point. We don't have to change after all! We want it to be so, so let's just believe it hard enough. It's called 'faith' and its not a good governing principle

She seems like a nice person, an interesting person, but one who lives largely divorced from the adult complexities of our nuanced world.

If I were a Republican, I would be very happy she is on the ticket, as she has changed the conversation, and very disappointed that she might actually, for reals, be my Vice-President.

[spacerocket]

Incredible!!! With all the scientific evidence out there that global warming is caused by us human beings, hearing Sarah Palin deny this fact shows how out of touch she is with the most pressing issues facing our planet.

I hope that all American people supporting McCain/Palin, will wake up in time to vote for the only rational choice available. For most people outside the US the choice is crystal clear. Vote Obama/Biden or vote for America's rapid political and economic decline!!

[PulSamsara]

Humans would be entirely to blame if this person ever occupied the White House.

I know we're suppose to walk on egg shells around Sarah Palin.
After all she does eat moose burgers an all.

That being said - Sarah Palin is a joke - and a cynical insult toward the American people.

[Hilary Smith]

I've heard that greenhouse gasses can stay in the atmosphere for decades, even centuries, and that even if we stop polluting the land, sea, and air right now, it will take a very long time for those beneficial actions to cancel out the pollution that's already causing the planet to heat up. We haven't even fully accepted that global warming is even happening. Now is the time for intellectual leadership in America.

[from Texas]

Sorry, there are just a few people saying global warming. Maybe 1,100 scientist agree which is fine, but only 35 have done work on that particular subject are they are being YES, MEN? Agree or Disagree, how about more research and real peer review publications. I do not follow reporters, NEVER, they are wrong and already on the next, next story. Just need more research, government backed, private, and over seas non-American research. NO ONE can decide based on what is out there, MORE RESEARCH, more publications, I NEED More INFORMAITION like other educated people. Reporters telling us the truth, that is a good one.

[Sally]

I can't believe people are buying this bresh-of-fresh-air thing. She is an ambitious and natural politician. She says what she needs to say to say, and changes her tune as necessary. She hires and fires based on loyalty and personal favors, and does not think twice (probably honestly doesn't think it's wrong) to use her position to get things done the way she wants them, regardless of whether it's proper or ethical. It is entirely unsurprising that she would be cagey about her beliefs now. The question is whether "the base" will stand behind this bull because she is "one of us" or wether it's time to demand more.

[PJS]

Palin does seem to be capable of wordsmithing. But to watch her is to see a programmed robot. She lacks spontaneity or intellect. She has the gravitas of teenager running for class vice president. Not ready for prime time.

[Oz]

We need to invade more arabic countries! Take their oil and their resources. Give women, gay men and children rights. I will certainly not forget September 11th. I see many of you have.

[Wayne]

Sarah Palin, a typical politician, flip flops on her global warming position. She had previously stated with confidence that global warming was not man made, but now she admits that it partially is man made and denies she ever said otherwise. As more Americans learn about her views and positions, and her dishonesty (bridge to nowhere), abuse of power (Troopergate), extreme positions on abortion (not even in cases of rape or incest), her popularity will diminish.

[Character Counts1]

Palin seems ill informed about more than global warming. So, where is the “change” McCain has been talking about? Sarah Palin appears to see the world through the same simplistic and narrow spectrum as Bush/Chaney. The ease with which she offers war as an option is both shocking and very scary. Since Bush adopted the preemptive strike doctrine, the world appears to have become much more dangerous and the Russian Bear is now using very similar arguments in support of its aggressive foreign policy. It appears to me that Governor Palin has failed to draw the appropriate lessons from that and proposes to blindly continue the failed Bush policies.

[scoot]

What qualifies Palin to even consider what causes Global Warming bet she doesnt have a clue. Maybe she didnt want to believe man made GHGs cause it because her husband works for BP. But now she has to accept the view of the majority of scientists who dedicate their lives weighing up the evidence of the effect man-made GHGs have on the atmosphere, to be seen as a caring Mom. If you actually here Palin talk about issues you would realise shes an f'ing moron. American Politics is even more ridiculous than British politics.

[ChrisC]

Palin's attempt to twist her "our task is from God" into "I don't know if the task is from God", and "our plan for Iraq is God's plan" into "I believe there is a plan for this world" was troubling. She was more than ready for that challenge and others from Charlie. Can be doubt that this question was one for which her handlers prepared her thoroughly? They're banking on most people never actually watching the video of her at Wasilla Assembly of God and seeing how at odds her presentation there was with what she represented during the interview.

[george987789]

i hope she does not wiggle while sitting on that fence, she will tear up her hardware. she is trying to reinvent herself on the fly and it won't happen.

[Jim]

A 2003 survey of 530 climate scientists in 27 countries, conducted by Dennis Bray and Hans von Storch at the GKSS Institute of Coastal Research in Germany, found

* 82 percent said global warming is happening, but only

* 56 percent said it’s mostly the result of human causes, and only

* 35 percent said models can accurately predict future climate conditions.

Only 27 percent believed “the current state of scientific knowledge is able to provide reasonable predictions of climate variability on time scales of 100 years.”

That’s a long ways from “consensus.” It’s actually pretty close to what the American public told pollsters for the Pew Trust in 2006:

* 70 percent thought global warming is happening,

* only 41 percent thought it was due to human causes,

* and only 19 percent thought it was a high-priority issue.

sorry but Al Gore and the alarmists are the ones out of step on this issue, plain nailed the question precisely

[chad]

Actually there are just as many scientist debunking global warming being man-made as there are blaming man. And if you are going to base global warming being man-made off of Al Gore's "Not even close to truth" movie go back and watch it again. This time instead of being sucked into every word like a good little sheep trying observing and thinking. The BIG READ GRAPH in the backround the whole time disproved everything he was saying. Trust me I watched it several times to see how that movie made people think it's man-made. I thought it proved the opposite.

[dave]

what was that elusive word again suggested for this running mate by some...palindrome or palindrone - or something in between?

[Richard]

Man made global warming is a hoax. You people are such sheep.

[An Australian]

This is just a typical flip-flop. It was required by the fact that her previous position flew in the face of the scientific facts and was going to get her into trouble. Now...what was she saying about creationism? Expect more flip-flops. But don't expect her underlying beliefs to change.

[Bubba Tex]

Isn't asking about global warming sexist? Doesn't talk of melting ice insult our hockey moms!? C'mon people, lay off. Why don't we just act all friendly like and give Sarah and John the White House. What a fun sitcom we can then follow (nothing like that gritty crime drama - Barry n'Joe - that will make us feel bad).

I do pray that these are not the last days of the late/great USA, but we'll know soon enough.

[Jeff in Orlando]

Most of you that have commented on Palin's performance with Charles Gibson provide evidence that public shools have failed. Instead of logic to make a point against Palin you respond with ad hominem attacks. Obviously you have missed the appeal of Palin to the American people. She has a good record as governor and she is seen as a doer. Try looking beyond your empty arguments and do something you have not done- look closely at the facts. Instead of proclaiming loudly to the world that you are pin heads try saying someting intelligent.

[Rey]

Well I saw that interview and I know 100% all republicans will disagree but if MCCain/Palin get elected we are in trouble. There can't be change with those kind of answers and all these lobbyist running MCCain's campaign. But for some reason republicans ignore that, which makes me think that they are not struggling like the rest of the country or it just might be that their faith in GOD is too great to let anything bad happen to this country and let it further sink! But I'm sure they will tell you they know best!

[Patrick]

God save us all from Sanjaya Palin.

[edaw]

uh, uh , uh, wait a minute, I'm getting there, wait, wait, wait, you need a breath-alyzer, no, an inhibitor, no, wait, wait a minute, a inhaler!! qualifications? please!!!

[Mark VanAmburg]

When are you people going to get your heads out of your Al Gore rear ends? IT"S THE SUN! IT"S THE SUN! IT"S THE SUN! Try to actually be scientific and factually critical in your thinking. Look at the record of solar activity over the last 30 years. That is what causes climate change and variations of warming and cooling trends on this planet! Man's normal activity that we have seen in the last 30 years have contributed to climate change. . . like .0001% We can potentially have a larger affect by causing massive forest fires that burn millions of square miles, or we could create a nuclear holocaust. One significant NATURAL volcano (like St. Helens) would do more to cause global climate change than man has caused in the last 10 years. But alas, most people in this country seem to be more interested in believing what's made popular by other humans than believing in what is factual and true. (Regardless of the facts most, like you, will believe what they want to believe)

[Maris Woodcroft]

Although I've followed the events of the Bush administration for 8 years, and was strongly against the war in Iraq, I, too, didn't remember what the "Bush Doctrine" was until Gibson explained it.

Do I forgive Palin for not knowing? No! I do not want someone as ill-informed about national/international government and policy as myself holding high office. Intellectually, I'm in the top 5% of the population easily, but still, I want someone much smarter than myself; someone who has been thinking about these issues for years.

Palin is clearly not dumb, but the Republicans have programmed her with a bunch of policy babble to spew, that can be used to answer a whole variety of questions. Like Bush, she simply does not show the level of intellect to be VP or President.

Thanks to Gibson for stepping up to the plate. Every journalist should be trying to inject at least one or two facts, that may have been missed in her "programming" to expose her lack of knowledge and understanding of the world.

[Jeff]

Wow a woman and politician who can think for herself and on her feet. Go Sara! I like the way she handles the child like Gloabal Warming idealists moving through their alarmest phase. Kind of like adolescents reliasing they are not the center of the universe. She treats them kindly and does not rock their world to much. It will take time for the truth to sink in and buffer the frustration of believing in false leaders (Al Gore) (thank you US Supreme Court!!) and ideas. Hurry to the White House Sara the world needs you and your common sense!!

[John]

Well I guess POTENTIALY many people don't know their world history very well. We've only been through, Wheat, several ice ages and warming trends. Long before the industrial revolution. IF we broke we can fix it.

[Julie Barrett]

I don't want the woman who brings the grape juice to the hockey game to be the next vice president because she is "like me". I want someone smarter, better educated, and a great thinker. America has great problems- a war which is costing us trillions of dollars and risking the lives of our fighting men and women, a health care system in need of overhaul, an economy in crisis, a mortgage and banking industry near collapse, elderly and veterans in need of care, educational institutions and children in need of assistance- these need people with great minds and great problem solving skills. Not someone who lives next door. Unless you plan to drink the kool aid.

[HY]

Please do not be confused!!! "Blame" is not equal to"cause". Like... the death of the pigs is "caused" by human food consumption. but to many pork lovers have never "blame" human food consumption on the death of pigs.
Anyway.... English is not my first language...

[whynot]

Is it me or is this woman insne? Everyday something new comes out about her - and how do they respond, Obama offended her.

Wake up people this woman is a nightmare with too many problems.

How sad - this is the only way the can win and then who loses - all of us.

[Tina]

"At least she didn't stummer like your man OBAMA."

Frisco, can't you do better than this? This is what Republicans do when faced with the truth - they put their fingers in their ears and go "lalalalalalala!"

[Geroge]

Yeah she flubbed it, but she has a pretty face and looks good on TV spewing the Republican lies...
and that's all that matters...
There's "Change" for you....

[basementfrog]

Gibson is a joke, a morning talk show host and a silly womanly program to boot. Put her in front of Ted Koppel, a real journalist. The Gibber is now a journalist.

But something of greater concern to all Americans is the Nazi like tactics of the Evangelical party.

VOTING MANIPULATION

State Republicans, though, have a plan to give the McCain campaign an edge: suppress the vote.

The chairman of the Republican Party in Macomb County Michigan, a key swing county in a key swing state, is planning to use a list of foreclosed homes to block people from voting in the upcoming election as part of the state GOP's effort to challenge some voters on Election Day. "We will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses," party chairman James Carabelli told Michigan Messenger in a telephone interview earlier this week. He said the local party wanted to make sure that proper electoral procedures were followed.

State election rules allow parties to assign "election challengers" to polls to monitor the election. In addition to observing the poll workers, these volunteers can challenge the eligibility of any voter provided they "have a good reason to believe" that the person is not eligible to vote. One allowable reason is that the person is not a "true resident of the city or township."

The Michigan Republicans' planned use of foreclosure lists is apparently an attempt to challenge ineligible voters as not being "true residents."

The scheme would, of course, disproportionately affect African-American families in the area, who are more likely to vote Democratic, and more likely to be in foreclosure as a result of sub-prime loans.

This is just part of a "comprehensive voter-challenge campaign" Michigan Republicans are launching this year, which will coordinate with the regional McCain campaign to train volunteers in challenging those who wish to vote on Election Day. (Whether the foreclosure-driven scheme will be implemented statewide is unclear.)

Asked about the GOP's efforts, Carabelli said, "I would rather not tell you all the things we are doing."

[Steven Wilson]

When idiots attribute global warming with reality....how is she supposed to clue you all in? Alaska has Tyrannasuarus Rex footprints in the Brooks range way up north.....they also have duck billed dinosaur fossils.
Alaska was a sub tropical area....warm and devoid of glaciers. Being that she knows Alaska was a warm area of the planet...unlike all the tree huggers out there.....she understands that a great calamity called the ice age....was foisted upon the indeginous animals of Alaska,(Dinosaurs), which wiped them out.

Anotherwords.....the climate is going back to its previous temperature.....pushing out the invading species that you all love so much. The Bears, Sheep, Caribou, Bison, Seals.......and so forth.........showed up after the climate change that wiped out the Dinosaur and the sub tropical paradise.

Why wouldn't the climate revert back to where it was before?

Man wasn't around to create the ice age and wipe out the dinosaur. Why is it that man takes the fall for the earth going back to its previous temperature? Al Gore has conned all of you global warming worshippers. Palin just doesn't want to call all of you misinformed idiots, showing you some compassion for your utter ignorance about Alaska and the northern countries that had roaming herds of dinosaurs and warm climates.

[wordster]

More lies and evasions! Fool us once shame on you Palin/McCain,Bush, fool us twice, shame on us!

[Arizonan knows]

After listening to Palin's interview it is clear she doesn't have a grasp of history. I can't believe she is even a governor. Her answer on global warming is another distortion of her views. Is it twisting the truth or an outright lie? Like the plane on ebay or the bridge to nowhere? Is this what we want from our elected officials? I hope Americans can set aside blind allegiance to party and think seriously about the problems that face our country. I, for one think that a vote for McCain/Palin is a dangerous choice for America.

[Charlie Peters]

Should Gov. Sarah Palin consider a fee on corn fuel ethanol use?

* * Lower price for food, gas, water, beer, cleaner air and funds for the budget from oil profit.

[Carla]

I, for one, will sleep much better at night knowing that Alaska is keeping an eye on Russia for us. You can actually see Russia from an island in Alaska. Thanks, Sarah!

Did she remind anyone else of Miss South Carolina, the one who said that US Americans can't read maps b/c they don't have any "like, such as, the Iraq and those Asian countries."

Idiots!

[Josh C.]

I know the oil companies have been hard at working convincing some of the folks here that the 'tree huggers' are 'sheep' and 'crazy', and it seems to have worked quite well. Or perhaps some folks naturally enjoy showing spiteful disdain for others, not sure?

The facts will have the last laugh.

The fossil burning companies are the same as the tobacco companies in the 70's: "no way does tobacco cause cancer! theres scientific debate"

The polluters in the 70s: "There's no link between lead in the air and paint and health problems with your children!"

Money talks, people listen.