Will New Climate Bill Affect Coming Election?
August 9, 2022
Vulnerable incumbent Democratic senators like Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada are already planning events promoting the landmark legislation they passed over the weekend. Democratic ad makers are busily preparing a barrage of commercials about it across key battlegrounds. And the White House is set to deploy Cabinet members on a nationwide sales pitch.
The sweeping legislation, covering climate change and prescription drug prices, which came together in the Senate after more than a year of painfully public fits and starts, has kicked off a frenetic 91-day sprint to sell the package by November — and win over an electorate that has grown skeptical of Democratic rule.
For months, Democrats have discussed their midterm anxieties in near-apocalyptic terms, as voters threatened to take out their anger over high gas prices and soaring inflation on the party in power. But the deal on the broad new legislation, along with signs of a brewing voter revolt over abortion rights, has some Democrats experiencing a flicker of an unfamiliar feeling: hope.
“This bill gives Democrats that centerpiece accomplishment,” said Ali Lapp, the president of House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC.
In interviews, Democratic strategists, advisers to President Biden, lawmakers running in competitive seats and political ad makers all expressed optimism that the legislation — the Inflation Reduction Act — would deliver the party a necessary and powerful tool to show they were focused on lowering costs at a time of economic hardship for many. They argued its key provisions could be quickly understood by crucial constituencies.
“It is easy to talk about because it has a real impact on people every day,” Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, the White House deputy chief of staff, said in an interview. The measure must still pass the House and could come up for a vote there later this week. “It’s congressional Democrats who’ve gotten it done — with no help from congressional Republicans.”
Climate Denial Crock of the Week 
August 9, 2022 at 9:48 am
The question should be asked – how much will it fire up the base for Democrats, and how much will it fire up the base for Republicans? I’d guess a very watered down climate bill won’t fire up green Dems much – the moderates will be sitting back pleased with themselves and the liberals will be frustrated. Meanwhile, the Republicans will use the bill heavily in a negative light in their campaign ads.
The benefits of the bill won’t be seen for years – not the next few months.
I also don’t think the name of the bill helps – it’s a clear Washington-esque trick of naming a bill something it has nothing to do with to make it sound better, and most voters will see that.
Because of the above, I don’t think the bill will have a net positive impact on the election in a few months.
But, abortion and the Supreme Court are far likelier to get the Democratic base riled up, and many independents are concerned as well. That ‘could’ have an impact on the elections.
August 12, 2022 at 1:49 am
Overturning Roe and the gleeful introduction of the most restrictive abortion laws by Republican state legislatures have got people riled up whom I haven’t seen pay attention to politics before.