Friends of the Earth may shun Gore again
Date: 19-Apr-00
Country: USA
Author: Thomas Ferraro
Brent Blackwelder, head of the 20,000-member organisation that calls itself the
largest network of environmental groups in the world, said Friends of the Earth
is considering backing consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who is running for
president on the Green Party ticket.
"Ralph Nader's people have pressed us to endorse him and we are thinking about
it," Blackwelder said in a telephone interview with Reuters.
"Others have said that (Republican presidential candidate George W.) Bush is so
bad that we should endorse Gore and do everything we can to help him win.
"Another option for us is not to make an endorsement in the presidential election
and just concentrate on the House and Senate races," he added.
Blackwelder said his group hopes to make a decision within a few months.
Gore has made environmental protection a centrepiece of his political career.
This Saturday he is to address a Washington rally on the 30th anniversary of
Earth Day.
In addition, Gore's 1992 bestseller, "Earth in the Balance," a call to arms to
better protect the environment, is being re-released this week.
While a number of environmental groups have been supportive of Gore, Friends of
the Earth has said it has been disappointed in his record on behalf of the
environment as vice president.
Last September, the group endorsed former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley over Gore
for the Democratic presidential nomination, which Gore wrapped up last month.
Nader has carved out his own record as a friend of the environment during more 35
years of service as a consumer advocate, one who has taken on several Congresses,
White Houses and big businesses.
Blackwelder said members of his group fear Gore and Bush have too many ties to
corporate powers to take them on as president on behalf of the environment.
He said though even Nader does not expect to win the White House, his candidacy
may help drum up interest in environmental protection.