On Wednesday, January 30, Sierra Club members at hundreds of locations around the country joined a teleconferenced Town Hall Meeting to hear from the Presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (all of the Presidential campaigns were invited to participate).
In addition to hearing pre-recorded statements from the candidates, Sierra Club members got answers to questions they'd submitted answered by former EPA Administrator Carol Browner (representing Senator Clinton) and prominent Midwestern environmental attorney Howard Learner (representing Senator Obama). The Sierra Club's Political Director, Cathy Duval, and National Political Committee Chair, Jonathan Ela, moderated the meeting.
Statement from Senator Hillary Clinton. (mp3 file)
Statement from Senator Barack Obama. (mp3 file)
Full teleforum broadcast (about 45 minutes) (mp3 file)
I learned more about the candidates' positions with regard to a range of environmental issues. I had already decided whom I'm voting for in the Primary, but wanted to know more about my candidate's views. The teleconference confirmed for me that my choice is the right one.
-- Kathy, San Clemente, Calif.
Fantastic! This was a great idea and I was thinking that protecting the environment was being ignored. Keep up the good work and maybe this time the Republicans won't frame the debate.
-- Timothy, Nalcrest, Fla.
Like the CNN Youtube debates, the promise of hardball questions and spontaneous responses failed to materialize. The vast majority of the time was devoted to the same old canned statements that we've been hearing for way too long during this "supersized" length campaign. the two questions that were read lent themselves to more canned responses.
-- Joseph, Desert Hot Springs, Calif.
I thought both representatives were impressive. The Clinton prepresentative sounded like she was on top of the issues and was working for Clinton on these issues, whereas the Obama representative was more into promoting Obama's candidacy. I'm still on the fence, and I have to make up my mind by Tuesday!
-- James, Urbana, Ill.
Yes, I did learn more from each candidate's representative than I originally knew about the candidate himself or herself. At this point in time, I am still trying to formulate which candidate will be able to generate the near miracles needed to save the U.S. from itself.
-- Jane, Rocky River, Ohio
I gave most weight to the statements of the candidates, rather than their spokespeople. Maybe next time we can talk to the actual candidates.
-- Barbara, Sunnyvale, Calif.
I had hoped to be swayed one way or the other, but I really came out of the call thinking that both candidates were pretty equal in terms of their stance on global warming. I had been hoping to hear more questions on other subjects too (pollution, conservation, public land use, etc), so that we could more easily distinguish between the two candidates.
-- Kristin, Kansas City, Mo.
Their representatives translated global warming from an abstract issue into a real life issue for everyone. Equally important, they offered good ideas about how to make global warming a front and center issue along with the economy, healthcare, Iraq, etc. This is very important at a time when voters may be preoccupied with issues other than global warming. No, the conversations did not change how I plan to vote. My decision is based on the candidates' positions on a range of issues including global warming and the environment.
-- James, San Francisco, Calif.
I loved this call! I did learn things about the candidates and it was telling which candidates didn't bother to participate. My voting decision was reaffirmed.
-- Brenda, Forest Park, Ill.
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