Republicans for Environmental Protection Endorses Senator McCain for President

Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP), a national conservation organization with a grassroots membership that also includes many elected Republican officeholders, announces to South Carolina voters its endorsement of Senator John McCain for President of the United States.

"Senator McCain is the Republican candidate in 2008 who best understands the deep connection between true conservative values and good environmental stewardship. He is the candidate most suited, by knowledge, experience, and conviction, to provide the strong environmental leadership that our country needs," said REP President Martha Marks.

"Senator McCain is the only candidate in the field who fully comprehends the energy and climate challenges facing our nation and the nexus between these challenges. No presidential candidate, Republican or Democrat, has done more to move this nation closer to an effective response to global warming than John McCain," Marks added.

REP points to Senator McCain's April 23, 2007, speech on energy as the policy vision needed to secure America's future. He clearly recognizes the complex role that energy plays in our national security, our economic security, and in the health of our environment.

"Senator McCain's vision will be greatly beneficial to South Carolina, a state that is particularly vulnerable to climate impacts, but also well positioned to lead the development of clean technologies that will ensure true energy security and provide great new economic opportunities for Americans," Marks said.

As a result of his outstanding record on climate change and energy security, Senator McCain has shown that, from day one, he will fulfill the American tradition of meeting challenges head on and showing strong leadership.

"Energy security and climate change are clearly among the biggest challenges facing America today and Senator McCain has shown that, as president, he will lead the way forward to a balanced energy and climate plan that will strengthen our defenses, encourage entrepreneurship, grow the economy, improve our quality of life, and take responsibility for leaving a better world for our descendants," REP Government Affairs Director David Jenkins said.

Climate change presents the most immediate risk to coastal states like South Carolina.

"Senator McCain knows that addressing climate change is a conservative issue that involves maintaining our security, protecting life, and leaving a better future for our grandchildren. He also knows that this stewardship challenge is far too important to leave in the hands of liberals," Jenkins added

"Like Theodore Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and other great GOP presidents, John McCain will live up to America's reputation as a land of visionaries and problem-solvers who are not afraid to take on big environmental challenges," REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso said.

John McCain is the right leader at the right time. He is a real conservative, the only GOP candidate who is true to the ideas and values of great conservative minds such as Edmund Burke and Russell Kirk. It was Kirk who pointed out that, "Nothing is more conservative than conservation."

"We have enthusiastically endorsed Senator McCain and urge our fellow Republicans here in South Carolina to help make him our party's nominee for president of the United States," Marks said.

Republicans for Environmental Protection

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com