Articles by Ana Unruh Cohen

Sen. inserts foot in mouth

Two weeks ago, Dave and I gleefully reported that Sen. John Warner, current-but-soon-to-be-former Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, was going to use his seniority to oust Sen. James Inhofe from the top Republican seat on the Environment and Public Works Committee.

Apparently Warner is reconsidering and may instead seek the ranking member position on the Intelligence Committee. On Friday, The Wall Street Journal had this quote from Warner on the subject:

I've spent most of my life worried about defense. ... I don't know if I'll live long enough to figure out global warming.

Warner's office refused to further comment on the story, so tune in next week for the next episode of "As the Warner Turns."

Energy polled high in voter concern this past election

Two weeks ago, I was quoted in Muckraker casting doubt on how important environmental issues were in the past election. Two new polls -- from Zogby on global warming and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner on energy (PDF of full memo) -- force me to reconsider that position.

Seems Republican's failure on energy and gasoline prices was the top concern, by a 20 point margin, among Democratic voters who considered voting Republican. Energy was also a top concern of other key groups.

Read them and smile!

Can Sen. Warner unseat Inhofe as ranking member on Environment and Public Works Committee?

Just when you thought all the pleasant surprises of the election must be spent, one more appears in your inbox on a Friday afternoon. Senator John Warner is going to reassert his seniority on the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee to be the Republicans' ranking member, forcing every polluter's favorite Senator James Inhofe into the number two position.

Warner doesn't have the greenest record in the Republican caucus, but this year he has said some interesting things about climate change. Interesting in a good way, not interesting in an Inhofe way.

Global warming goodness

As if you need more reason to watch the meteorological smorgasbord that is the Weather Channel, every Sunday they are now showing the Climate Code, an hour long program focusing on climate change causes, effects, and solutions. I haven't seen the show yet, but if the website is any indication, it should be great.