Radical deniers of global warming science are measuring the drapes in the U.S. Capitol, planning to strip seats from supporters of President Obama’s efforts to stem greenhouse gas pollution. Exclusive analysis from the Wonk Room has identified the top Senate and House races that pit science versus snake oil this November. Meet the fossil-fueled deniers, who call science “crap” in order to defend their “Drill Baby Drill” philosophy:
“While I think the earth is warming, I don’t think that man-made causes are the primary factor.” — Ken Buck (CO-SEN) [KBDI-TV, 3/10]
“I think we ought to take a look at whatever the group is that measures all this, the IPCC, they don’t even believe the crap.” — Steve Pearce (NM-2) [Politico, 8/18/10]
“I don’t, however, buy into the whole … man-caused global warming, man-caused climate change mantra of the left. I believe that there’s not sound science to back that up.” — Sharron Angle (NV-SEN) [Climatewire, 5/26/10]
“Global warming is more a religion than a science.” — David Harmer (CA-11) [Halfway to Concord, 9/25/09]
“It’s far more likely that it’s just sunspot activity or just something in the geologic eons of time.” — Ron Johnson (WI-SEN) [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 8/19/10]
Seven key climate races in the Senate (with the 538.com estimated likelihood of a Republican pickup):
(92%) PA: Joe Sestak v. Pat Toomey
(72%) CO: Michael Bennet v. Ken Buck
(52%) NV: Harry Reid v. Sharron Angle
(42%) CA: Barbara Boxer v. Carly Fiorina
(33%) WI: Russ Feingold v. Ron Johnson
(30%) WA: Patty Murray v. Dino Rossi
(20% Democratic pickup) NH: Paul Hodes v. Kelly Ayotte
Eight key climate races in the House:
(76%) NM-2: Harry Teague v Steve Pearce
(63%) IA-3: Leonard Boswell v Brad Zaun
(63%) IL-14: Bill Foster v Randy Hultgren
(62%) CA-11: Jerry McNerney v David Harmer
(58%) IN-9: Baron Hill v Todd Young
(43%) FL-22: Ron Klein v Allen West
(26%) NM-1: Martin Heinrich v Jon Barela
(26%) IL-17: Phil Hare v Bobby Schilling
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