Dean green on trail, but Vermont knows better

Despite the incredibly misleading title, this article gives a very balanced view of Dean and his environmental record in VT. In some areas he was very environmentally conscious, in some situations he set up compromises, he even backs very bold initiatives that fail in some instances. The source of some of the environmentalists' concerns about him are here, as well as quotes from some who have very positive things to say about him.

Warning: This article is not for people who cannot stand to learn anything negative about Dean. Nor will it entirely please those who wish to paint him as poor on environmental issues. I came away from it with a more rounded picture of someone who really does put his money where his mouth is on environmental issues and spending where he sees the value of it, but does not buy the Vermont Sierra Club line of reasoning in its entirety and also realizes that development has a place in society as well. An interesting look at this rather complex politician. Your mileage may vary.

Some excerpts:

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And yet, in his 11 years as Vermont's governor, Dean helped put 470,000 acres of woods, mountains and fields into permanent conservation. He spent twice as much as the federal government required on sidewalks and bike paths. With his support, Vermont adopted stringent air pollution rules that asked auto dealers - to their horror - to sell a minimum number of electric cars each year.

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Though he describes himself as "an absolute balanced-budget fiend," Dean set aside millions each year for purchasing development rights to agricultural land and open space.

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But while Dean fiercely guarded money for land conservation, he allowed the legislature to chop the Agency of Natural Resources' budget, leaving it chronically underfunded.

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"I would say he wasn't a raving environmentalist by any stretch, but he also wasn't pro-development at any cost, either," said Chris Barbieri, president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. "He picked those political battles pretty carefully."
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http://www.cmonitor.com/stories/news/state2003/082103dean_env_2003.shtml

and he'll govern like one, like he did in Vermont. That said, and like he apparently said the other day, Vermont moderates are very likely different than Texas or Florida moderates.

But going by my "brother-in-law" gauge -- I have one b-i-l who is far more liberal than I am, and one who is a moderate GOPer -- I think he might just be the ticket. They both voted for him when he was governor, and they both plan on voting for him for President.

falme flame flame insult insult defame ancestors....


wha? no i didnt read the article....

:evilgrin:

That people complain about, the coal plant discussion and gas pipeline proposal, Dean didn't even go through with.