Democratic midterm victory puts environment on the agenda - meanwhile, Bush's legacy lies 'in the gutter'

By Claire Fuller

The Democrats being in control of both houses means that more will be done for human rights and the environment, a leading commentator stated recently. Stryker McGuire, head of the London bureau of Newsweek magazine, believes that the political shift in the USA is entirely to do with the war in Iraq but will benefit green issues, as well as human rights and scientific research.

In a conference with Scottish students, the renowned journalist discussed how the results of the midterms were a direct reaction to the war: “After 9/11 Bush had a 90% approval rating. Last week it was 36%. It was an indictment of the administration.”

He also mentioned how serious historians in the states are currently discussing whether George Bush is the worst president ever or merely one of the mediocre ones, and was glad the midterms proved that Americans hadn't ‘lost it'.

The Democrat policy on the environment is to create ‘a cleaner, greener and stronger America by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, eliminating billions in subsidies for oil and gas companies and use the savings to provide consumer relief and develop energy alternatives, and investing in energy independent technology.'

The Republican policy, on the other hand, is to link economic prosperity and environmental protection.

However, whilst the midterms make it seem like a political shift to the left is happening in the States, McGuire warned the students that this might just be a temporary reaction to the war.

Whether the Republicans win the next election or not, Bush's legacy is, as McGuire put it, ‘in the gutter'. And until the next election, the Democrats will be able to make more environmentally and humane policy decisions than the Bush administration would ever have done.