We finally have confirmation on who among the Presidential Candidates has and who has not signed the Great Lakes Congressional Delegation’s pledge to use the highest office in the land to restore the Great Lakes.
Drum roll please…….among the top Democrats running for President: Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have signed the pledge. John Edwards has released a statement in support.
Among the top Republicans running for President: John McCain is the sole signatory (perhaps being from the dessert makes you recognize the significance of water). Mitt Romney, while fighting to win Michigan’s primary promised to support Great Lakes restoration but stopped short of signing the pledge.
Reps. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.) and Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) issued the bi-partisan pledge to the candidates for President late last year. By signing, candidates promise to use the office of the President to shepherd restoration through the congress and fully fund it too.
It is a wise political decision for these candidates to make this agreement as it will help them garner votes in the eight Great Lakes states which control 141 electoral votes and maintain several important swing states. The entire region’s economy has been hit hard by the rise of the globalization and the fall of traditional manufacturing jobs, however, leading economists have released a report showing that by investing in restoration jobs will be created, new industry generated and property values revitalized. The future of the Great Lakes region is looking hopeful if one of the pledges signatories gains office.
Related posts:
- Obama, Clinton Pick up the Gauntlet and Sign the Great Lakes Pledge
- McCain Signs Pledge, State Houses Demand Others Follow Suit
- Nowhere To Go But Up
- Great Lakes Mayors Issue Latest Challenge To Presidential Candidates: Great Lakes Support Key To Winning Midwest
- We Want a Committment to Save the Lakes and We Want it Now!