Kerry, Gingrich announce climate showdown (DEBATE)

[IChing]

Source: The Hill

By Jeremy Jacobs
April 05, 2007

Former House Speaker and possible presidential candidate Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.)
and 2004 Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) are set to square off
on climate change next week, their staffs announced Thursday.

The debate, hosted by New York University’s John Brademas Center for the Study of Congress,
will take place next Tuesday, April 10, at 10 a.m. in the Russell Senate Office Building.

"Newt’s a guy who has spent a lot of time wrestling with climate change and the environment. He reads about it, he teaches about it, he writes about it,” Kerry said Thursday. “We don’t see eye to eye about everything, obviously, but that’s what makes for a good debate.

“As a father, when someone tells me that within the next decade, if we don't deal with global warming, our children and grandchildren may deal with global catastrophe, that tells me I damn well better do whatever I can to help make Washington deal with this responsibly,” Kerry added. “We need these good old-fashioned debates and forums and discussions to get everyone thinking creatively on both sides of the aisle.”

Read more: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/kerry-gingrich-announce-climate-showdown-2007-04-05.html

[BOSSHOG]

1. I appreciate Senator Kerry's enthusiasm but

why give a doorknob a forum? What business or expertise does a conservative have debating anyone on any important issue. It will be facts versus politics. I salute the Senator for doing it though.

[Morgana LaFey]

13. Fruther, why legitimize the idea that it's a "debatable" proposition?

The REAL climate scientists are all in agreement.

[PSPS]

14. I agree. This will just turn an important subject into "infotainment."

Newt is an idealogue, meaning his only role is to maintain a position instead of search for a solution. This is nothing more than a "media event," like the WWF. It's a waste of time that will just make more people dismiss the whole problem as some kind of meaningless "smack down" contest performed solely for "entertainment."

Besides, I'd think doing anything with "Newt" would have been beneath Kerry.

[babylonsister]

2. I'm sorry Kerry is going to be rubbing elbows with the likes of Newt,

and don't know about Gingrich's environmental background, but I hope this baby is televised!

[IChing]

4. I hope so too

It will be a great debate. Go JOHN!!!

[seriousstan]

9. He founded environmental studies and future studies the West Georgia College, in Carrollton, Georgia

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, along with conservationist Terry L. Maple, have written A Contract with the Earth, which the Johns Hopkins University Press will publish on November 1, 2007.

[blm]

10. Newt is also a very strong debater - which many people forget.

He can spout BS and make it sound authentic to an audience.

I expect Kerry can handle what Newt has, because he is a very good debater and knows this issue as well as anyone in DC.

[depakid]

3. I think this is a poor decision

Why give an immoral asshole like Gingrich a high profile setting to spout off propaganda- and place it equal footing with genuine, peer reviewed climate science?

[mitchtv]

5. Like Lucifer, Newt is a smart cookie

Kerry will chew him up, and it will give exposure to the subject.

[IChing]

7. He could also expose the lies of this administration record

on the environment and global warming.

[whistle]

6. Gingrich's position on global warming is that he accepts it as long

...as we all speak about it in English

[halobeam]

8. I do believe Al said the debate was over...

now if Kerry and Newt want to debate solutions and new environmental laws, then great.

[mvd]

12. It really is over

We know global warming exists, and we know that humans are a significant part of the cause. We just don't know for sure how much other factors are involved, and the rate of increase is still in question. Though I strongly believe that Gore is right that we should act now. Gingrich will contribute nothing but propaganda to the debate, but Kerry should be a great representative for the truth. He is a skilled debater.

[lumberjack_jeff]

11. Politicians are ill-suited to debate science.

No good comes from it.

The discussion should be what we should do about it, knowing that it's real but not knowing exactly how bad it will get or how soon.

I don't want to hear any more excuses about volcanoes, sun spots or cow farts, and that's all Gingrich has to offer.