Global Warming Media Coverage-Are Tim Russert and Wolf Blitzer Ignoring Climate Change?

It's up to the Iowa and New Hampshire voters to see if the country will go green in the next administration. But, astonishingly, the five most important television journalists in America have neglected to ask candidates many questions about global warming in their interviews in the run-up to the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire Primary. This means you, Messrs. Blitzer, Russert, Wallace, Schieffer and Stephanopoulos.

Readers of TheDailyGreen may have missed it while enjoying their hormone- and cage-free, locally sourced eggnog over the holidays, but on December 19th, the League of Conservation voters released their startling analysis of the questions posed this primary season by the top five hosts of political television shows. They found that of the 2,275 questions these pundits asked the candidates on-air this year in interviews and debates, only 24 were related to the topic of climate change or global warming. In fact, the words "global warming" or "climate change" were only uttered three times.

The League of Conservation Voters is billed as the independent political voice for the environment. They are the source of a fair share of the information you'll find on our Green Your Vote Primary Voter's Guide created by TheDailyGreen's news editor Dan Shapley. Here's the League's hilarious-in-a-hideous-way video showing the questions America's favorite pundits asked instead of the global warming questions.

Dear Wolf, I watch you nearly every evening. Tim? I haven't missed your Sunday show for years. Sometimes I even watch the re-run on Sunday night. Chris? Your show on Fox News is one of the best thing they've got. Bob Schieffer? How cool was it that your ratings soared when your bosses wanted a younger anchor on the news? And George, This Week hasn't been this good in years. One question, guys...what are you thinking???

It's not too late to ask the questions America wants to hear on climate change! Here are the 3 questions TheDailyGreen wants the candidates to answer--on-air---in front of the whole warming world.

1. Yes or No: Do you agree with those members of the scientific community who say that industrialized nations need to cut greenhouse gas emissions fast to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of global warming?

2. As President, what would you do as your first act to address global warming and when would you do it?

3. The next President will have to address the Iraq War, homeland security and a shaky economy. Do you pledge to not let these other important issues push aside an aggressive global warming agenda?

Wolf, Tim, Chris, Bob, George...it's not too late. The ball's in your court.

Here's TheDailyGreen's 12/26 coverage of the story.

Also: Tell Us the questions YOU want asked of the candidates in the comments section below.

Also: Send a Vote Green e-card to a friend in Iowa or New Hampshire!

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Deborah Barrow is The Daily Green's founder.

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