Dino Rossi (WA-8) Touts Environmental Award From 2002; His LCV Rating For 2017 Was Zero

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Environmental groups have accused Rossi, who has served in the Washington state Senate, of “greenwashing” his record. At the debate, Rossi pointed out that the Washington Conservation Voters, a state group affiliated with the League of Conservation Voters, gave him a “Distinguished Deeds” recognition. However, that recognition came in 2002.

“That award from the Washington Conservation Voters is so old it could have its own driver’s license,” Schrier said at the October 17 debate in response to Rossi citing the award to boost his environmental record. Meanwhile, for this year’s midterm election, the Washington Conservation Voters’ national affiliate has endorsed Schrier. “They have endorsed me in this race,” she said, “because they know I take this issue seriously and I will absolutely be a champion for climate action.”

Rossi’s environmental record has declined since he received the award in 2002; his scorecard in the Washington state legislature in 2017 was 0 percent. For his entire career in the state Senate, Rossi has a 31 percent lifetime score from the state environmental group. “Why is Dino Rossi repeatedly boasting about a 16-year-old acknowledgement from a group whose national affiliate has endorsed against him?” Pete Maysmith, LCV Victory Fund senior vice president for campaigns, said in a statement. “Rossi’s misleading rhetoric shows he now knows that the voters of the 8th district want a pro-environment leader in Congress — but Rossi also clearly doesn’t want those same voters to know about his failing record on environmental issues.”

In his unsuccessful 2010 Senate campaign to unseat Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Rossi’s talking points on climate change were similar to the statements made today by climate deniers. His Senate campaign said Rossi believes the Earth is warming but isn’t sure how much humans are to blame. Rossi also unsuccessfully ran for governor of Washington in 2008. During that campaign, Rossi emphasized “there’s still a lot of debate going on” about climate change. “We’ll see how this debate goes, but I don’t think anyone should panic at this point,” he added.

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https://thinkprogress.org/gop-house-candidate-touts-outdated-award-from-green-group-that-gave-him-a-failing-grade-in-2017-073d114abe0c/