In November 2008, birders, united in a voting bloc, can determine who will be the next president of the United States.

There are 15 million or more voting age Americans who have a serious interest in the welfare of birds. United as a voting bloc, birders could have a major say in who is our next president. Politicians in Britain think twice about opposing positions advocated by the million-member Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. In this country, birders can have a similar, and powerful, voice in the electoral process.

Will the new president follow in the footsteps of George W. Bush and kowtow to logging and oil and gas interests? Or, will the next president be environmentally friendly and use the power of his office to protect birds and their habitats?

Barack Obama Deserves the Support of Birders

With just weeks to go before the first presidential caucuses and primaries, let’s consider the stated views of some of the major party candidates on issues of importance to people concerned about protecting the habitats of birds.

Most of the Democratic presidential candidates have been largely silent on the issues of concern to most birders. On her Web site, Hillary Clinton lists 10 reasons to vote for her. Not one of these reasons has anything to do with the environment.

Barack Obama lists “promoting a healthy environment” as one of his key platform issues. Many of his proposals are largely concerned with energy independence and reducing greenhouse gases. But he also outlines proposals to increase water quality, preserving the Great Lakes, and managing the water resources of the western states. Obama calls for new measures to preserve the nation’s forests and national parks. He is opposed to oil drilling in important bird habitats in the Arctic and to additional logging in the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. The forest is home to more than 300 species of birds including more than 10,000 bald eagles.

On his campaign Web site Obama pledges as president “to do more to encourage private citizens to protect the open spaces and forests they own and the endangered species that live there, to set aside new wilderness areas, to establish stronger policies to deter international deforestation, to improve domestic timberlands, and to encourage communities to enhance local greenspace, wildlife and conservation areas.”

Don’t Waste Your Time Considering Ron Paul for President

Republican Congressman Ron Paul of Texas has run for president before as the standard-bearer for the Libertarian Party. He is now testing the waters as a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination.

Paul is one of the most extreme right-wing members of Congress. A physician by trade, he is called “Dr. No” by House colleagues for his frequent “nea” votes on spending on any form of government regulation.

If, by some remarkable chance, he were elected president, it is clear that Paul would never stand in the way of developers who seek to destroy or do serious harm to bird habitats. In fact, environmental issues are not even mentioned on his campaign Web site.

Birders Might Take John McCain Under Their Wings

Birders who prefer the Republican Party on such issues as taxes, national security, and social issues, but who have been displeased with President Bush’s policies on the environment and bird habitats, may be attracted to the presidential candidacy of John McCain.

McCain was one of the early voices in the GOP to warn about the dangers of global warming. One of his heroes is Teddy Roosevelt, who was a strong supporter of protecting the nation’s environment.

On McCain’s presidential campaign Web site, the environment is featured as one of the key issues of his campaign. One passage reads: “John McCain believes that we are vested with a sacred duty to be proper stewards of the resources upon which the quality of American life depends. Ensuring clean air, safe and healthy water, sustainable land use, ample greenspace — and the faithful care and management of our natural treasures, including our proud National Park System — is a patriotic responsibility. One that must be met not only for the benefit of our generation, but for our children and those to whom we will pass the American legacy.”

McCain described his ranch in Oak Creek, Arizona, to OnEarth magazine: “Lots and lots of flowers. Lots and lots of wildlife, especially birds – wild ducks, quail, humming birds, yellow-billed cuckoos, which are very rare. A pair of black hawks. It’s the most beautiful place on earth.”

It appears that McCain would champion the protection of bird habitats. But there are indications that McCain is moving to the right on several issues to appease the right wing of the Republican Party who make up a large percentage of GOP primary voters. Birders should keep a close eye on campaign statements and issue papers to see if McCain will sound the retreat on his support for the environment.

 

Check back regularly as we add summaries of other announced candidates' positions that will impact birds and their habitats.