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

[Rochelle]

I have been around long enough to know that McCain/Palin are opportunist. If you look back in the late 80's McCain was a part of the Ketting V which was a part of the Savings and Loan disaster which wipe out the country but mostly the Midwest with high foreclosure stats. This is a repeat of the 80's now. Do not be deceived in thinking that Palin was not in cohoots with the oil companies in Alaska. Watch this women is CRAZY!!!

[John]

Mr. Gibson was extremely unfair to Mrs. Palin when he asked if she believed in the Bush doctrine. The word doctrine was not in her vocabulary. Mr. Gibson should have used common language in the interview.

[Lauren N]

Is it only me, or is she about as smug and agressive in her speech and tone as george bush...if not a little worse? She just seems so hostile when anyone dares question her or ask her to explain her views. That might explain why people wind up fired wherever she goes.

Did she get the memo that not everyone has been divinely inspired by God and may not have her clarity on how to take on the entire world?

[Kevin]

Warming Cooling liberals think it's the same thing not opposites

Top UN scientists have been forced to admit that natural weather occurrences are having a far greater effect on climate change than CO2 emissions as a continued cooling trend means there has been no global warming since 1998.

But despite overwhelming signs of global cooling - China's coldest winter for 100 years and record snow levels across Northeast America - allied with temperature records showing a decline - global warming advocates still cling to the notion that the world is cooling because of global warming!

[Gregory]

Wow

The agenda driven,
Reality-be-damned
Global warming denying comment trolls
let at least 25 sane comments happen before they got in here to seed their idiocy all over the place.

Looks like the DC 'thinktanks' need to start paying a little more per comment.