The Sierra Club today endorsed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham, who sought to clarify his opposition to oil and gas drilling off the North Carolina coast.
Christa Wagner of the group’s N.C. chapter applauded what she called Cunningham’s strong record on the environment during his single term in the state Senate from 2001-2003, Jim Morrill of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Even before the endorsement was announced, rival Democrat Ken Lewis called on the Sierra Club to withdraw it. He was reacting to an AP story in which Cunningham said he would consider offshore drilling "as part of a broader energy plan."
"You can’t have it both ways," Lewis said in a statement. "You can’t be opposed to drilling off of North Carolina’s coast and be open to drilling off of North Carolina’s coast."
Asked about the charges, Cunningham said he remains opposed to drilling but would look at it in the context of a broader energy plan.
“I’ve been consistent in my position that off-shore drilling is insignificant in the larger discussion," he said. "I anticipate that offshore drilling is going to be part of a larger package … We have to have comprehensive energy legislation in this country…
"Give me a straight up-or-down vote on offshore drilling and I'm a 'No,'" he said.
Comments
Nuance
April 16, 2010 - 12:47pm — bastillesI appreciate that this story has enough to show some of the nuance of Cunningham's position. It's disingenuous for Lewis to attack Cunningham on having a complex view of US energy policy. These guys are running for the US Senate, not NC dictator. It shows a little bit more maturity, I think, to say "I'm not in favor of this particular part of energy policy, and I'll work to keep it out of North Carolina, but I feel that the whole energy package that I would see in the Senate might have some merit and deserves to be explored." Which is what they'll have to do if elected anyway.
Attacking a lone bullet point as if it shows an entire argument is what Republicans do, Ken.
it started back when the phone rang
April 16, 2010 - 6:39am — bestsarahIt all started the day Obama called Cal. From what I hear Ken and Elaine are still waiting for their call. The fix was in when the phone rang. I am not sure what ringtone Cal uses but it was certainly the ringtone heard throughout North Carolina. I think about it every time a phone rings.
I will be in a retail merchant and I hear a phone ringing.
Is that the President on the line?
Who cares who the sierra club endorses?
April 15, 2010 - 8:59pm — BitterEXdemocratThey have lost their effectiveness like the NAALCP ...
Ken doesn't understand
April 15, 2010 - 7:48pm — SaintPinehurstThe fix is in, the DSCC has decided it wants Cal, and the national endorsements will go to him.
Consider:
Cal says he's open to drilling... and the Sierra Club endorses.
Cal says he opposes card check, and won't buy campaign materials from union shops... and the national unions endorse.
It is rigged, Mr. Lewis. And there isn't much you can do about it if you and Ms. Marshall continue to play footsy with Cal.