Gore's global warming sideshow and recent polls

http://www.examiner.com/x-2547-Watchdog-Politics-Examiner~y2009m1d31-Gores-global-warming-sideshow-and-recent-polls

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Former Vice President Al Gore found a receptive audience while appearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on January 28, 2009 with an updated version of his Inconvenient Truth. He urged the Committee to include alternative energy funding in the stimulus package. At the same time, a Rasmussen poll report indicates fewer Americans believe that human are to blame for global warming. Almost one-half of American voters think that there is a conflict between economic growth and environmental protect.

In April of 2008, Rasmussen found that 47% of Americans blamed human activity vs 34% who saw it as long-term planetary trends. According to the poll reported on January 19, 2009, those believing it was human activity had dropped to 44% compared to 41% who blamed it on cyclical activity.

While 59% of Democrats blame global warming on human activity only 21% of Republicans agree. However, Rasmussen found that 64% now consider global warming as at least somewhat of a problem against 15% who do not see it as serious. Even scientists don't agree about the causes. One group believes that it is fossil fuels and aerosols, along with human activity, that is causing the earth to warm; another group maintains that it is a natural cycle that will reverse itself over time.

Obama has vowed to cut greenhouse gas emissions through the development of alternative energy. As the recession deepens, politicians running for election in 2010 will be watching polls such as Rasmussen to see which way the wind is blowing in regard to public opinion about the money allotted in the stimulus package. It could be that inspite of Gore's influence on Congress, it may be losing support among the American voting public.