MoveOn.org Virtual Town Hall: Environment Poll

The second MoveOn.org "Virtual Town Hall" dealt with Envrionmental Action. Both global warming and energy independence were discussed. Here is a clip from MoveOn's press release

Edwards Wins Straw Poll on Climate Change
Print Ads to Run in NH and IA Next Week

Largest MoveOn Event Since 2004; Over 100,000 People Joined at 1,300 House Parties and Online to Watch Virtual Town Hall

Former Senator John Edwards won MoveOn.org Political Action’s poll on the climate crisis which asked, “Which candidate’s position on dealing with the climate crisis do you prefer?” Of the field of eight Democratic hopefuls, Edwards received 33% of the total votes cast–more than twice the support of the next two candidates, Rep. Kucinich and Senator Clinton, who each garnered 15.7%.

MoveOn member vote results:

John Edwards - 33.10%
Dennis Kucinich - 15.73%
Hillary Clinton - 15.71%
Barack Obama - 15.03%
Bill Richardson - 12.60%
Joe Biden - 3.06%
Chris Dodd - 3.01%
Mike Gravel - 1.78%

MoveOn will run print ads in newspapers in early primary states Iowa and New Hampshire next week, announcing the results of the straw poll on the climate crisis. Fundraising for the ads begins today.

“The enormous response we got from our members on this issue emphasizes how important it will be for our next president to make solving the climate crisis a top priority in 2008,” said Eli Pariser, Executive Director of MoveOn.org Political Action.

“MoveOn members want leaders who will take on the oil and coal industry and create a clean energy economy. That’s probably why Sen. Edwards’ support of cap and auction systems – which force polluters to pay citizens—and his call for more green collar jobs received such strong backing,” added Ilyse Hogue, Campaign Director of MoveOn.org Political Action.

The membership vote began immediately after the organization’s Saturday night Virtual Town Hall and concluded on Tuesday, at midnight PST. The Virtual Town Hall, at which, the candidates answered members’ questions about climate change and global warming, coincided with the Live Earth concerts around the world.

MoveOn members who watched the Town Hall at one of the parties voted differently from those who did not.

Votes by MoveOn members who attended house parties:

John Edwards - 25.53%
Bill Richardson - 20.19%
Dennis Kucinich - 17.55%
Hillary Clinton - 13.80%
Barack Obama - 10.18%
Joe Biden - 6.15%
Chris Dodd - 3.63%
Mike Gravel - 2.96%