Bush, Udall Trade Barbs In Environmental Radio Messages - CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a radio address geared to Earth Day, President Bush Saturday touted his environmental record and trumpeted a wetlands initiative to restore "at least 3 million acres over the next five years." In the Democratic response, U.S. Rep. Mark Udall of Colorado stated that "under President Bush, we have basically sold out our environment for the profit of the special interests."

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In the wake of a week of Earth Day activities, President Bush also enumerated the measures that his administration have taken on behalf of the environment as those "based on sound science and good economics."

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Calling for a "new direction on the environment" Udall accused the president and the Republicans of "trying to weaken enforcement of the Clean Air Act. Instead of forcing polluters to pay to clean up the mess they have made, the Republicans have made it easier for them to pollute our air and our water," Udall said. Using figures from the Natural Resources Defense Council, Udall stated that the Bush administration approved 300 separate actions "that undermine the progress we have made in protecting the environment."

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The Democrats' Udall took the administration to task for abandoning the "polluter pays" rule that in 1995 provided 82 percent of the funding to the Superfund, saying that such a move instead shifts "the burden onto the backs of individual taxpayers." Udall said that the Bush administration "talks a good game" on reducing wildfire risks but doesn't give the Forest Service and other land agencies the resources they need to do the job."

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http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/24/bush.dems.radio/

It's OK now, George - you won't have to talk about Earth Day and your environmental "credentials" ever again - no matter what the outcome of the general election, you never have to mention the topic again now. Didn't that pretzel go down easier, knowing that?