Republican group's focus is conservation, really

The nonprofit group Republicans for Environmental Protection insists it's not an oxymoron along the lines of jumbo shrimp or diet ice cream.

"We get that all the time," said Jim DiPeso, policy director for the nonprofit, "(but) we're trying to restore the Republican Party's conservation tradition — restore the spirit of Teddy Roosevelt, if you will."

The group is backing Arizona Sen. John McCain for president, but its larger goal is encouraging Republican presidential candidates to talk more about the environment — particularly the issue of global climate change — and not cede the debate to the Democrats and former Vice President Al Gore.

"If our Republican candidates would get into the game and start arguing the issue with the same energy as you see on the Democratic side, that would be a tremendous public service," DiPeso said.

With the exception of McCain and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the GOP presidential hopefuls largely talk about the need for energy independence as an economic and security issue — not so much an environmental one.

David Jenkins, a former aide to former North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms who is now REP's government affairs director, said conservation and stewardship are conservative values — while right-leaning talk show hosts who brag about how much energy they use are part of a more liberal, if-it-feels-good-do-it tradition.

He noted one recent poll found that most Republicans believe climate change is occurring and that humans are playing a role, while a smaller number of party activists are more skeptical.

"That minority of Republicans are really preventing the leadership of this party from running with this issue and finding solutions," he said. "The stage is set for South Carolina to really change the debate on this."

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@post andcourier.com.