I was on George Barker's television show last summer when he was campaigning for the Senate. He asked me to come on because he was concerned about global warming and wanted me to share my insights on what steps Virginian can take to help stop global warming.

We talked for nearly an hour about changing light bulbs and changing state policies... I found during our time that Mr. Barker is more interested in changing light bulbs...

But now he is Senator Barker, he is a leader and represents the people. It is time to step up and help bring clean energy to all of Virginia, not just those of us with the spare change to put solar panels on our roofs. SUPPORT THE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE ACT!

Email your senator today using the links above, and click on cleanenergyfutureact.org for more information.

I think there are a lot of dems who ran on a pro-environment platform, but haven't stepped up.  We are still waiting for Senator Herring, Puller, and Colgan from NOVA.  But we've also made great progress with champs like Chap Petersen, Mary Margaret Whipple, Patsy Ticer, and a bunch of delegates who have signed on.  

But the real question is gonna be, how are they gonna vote.

While it's not ideal that a number of Delegates and Senators have not signed on to the bill, the key is that they vote in favor of it.

Sniff

Yup... smells like Old Spice and Ranch Dressing.

But at least he doesn't smell like beef and cheese.

shouldn't we wait to see how George votes on the Bill?  I was at a meeting with George just before the end of the year, and I know he was very interested in some of the ideas discussed about renewable fuels and how the Commonwealth could encourage their development.

So why don't we encourage him to vote for the legislation instead of worrying over how many co-patrons it has.

George campaigned as a champion of the environment. Now you're saying he'll only act if others lead?  

I'm saying stop trying to eat your own and wait to see how George actually acts.  Do you know if Barker was asked to co-sponsor the Bill?  Have you contacted his office about the Bill?  

Again, why are you so quick to attack?

Howdy Glant.  I'm not in favor of "eating our own" but I can confirm that an ample effort was made to engage Senator Barker on this. I've approached him and his staff numerous times and I know that he has received dozens of phone calls and emails on this.  

I appreciate if he wants to "wait and see" but it does indicate what type of environmentalist he is going to be.  Will he join Senators Whipple, Ticer, Edwards, Petersen, Reynolds, and others out in front.  Or wait and see?

at least twice now, to no avail.  Absolute silence.  Except for the crickets, of course:  

Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp.

Didn't you meet with him in Richmond?

Another climate activist and I met with Sen. Barker on lobby day in Richmond. He was very nice and told me his staff was still studying the Clean Energy Future Act. So yes, he's been contacted. Yes, he's been asked to co-patron the bill. A fact sheet on the bill was handed to him personally in his office. And still nothing.

The bill was introduced 22 days ago. I met with him 10 days ago. You call this quick? And you call this an attack?

The Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor votes on Monday. Honestly, GIant, you're probably right, it wouldn't do much good anymore for Sen. Barker to co-patron. At best, he can save some face by slapping his name on at the last minute.

But if this bill goes down in committee and Sen. Barker (and other NoVA Dems) didn't do everything he could to help it pass ... well, this ain't gonna look like an attack compared to what I say then.

I'll contact Barker's office and add my name to those supporting the bill.

...how if we don't ever criticize Democrats, we're accused of being "shills" or whatever.  If we DO criticize Democrats, then we're "eating our own," etc.  How about we just fight for our progressive values and not worry so much about the partisan politics for a change?

n/t