Democratic National Committee Votes Against Climate Change Debate

"SAN FRANCISCO — Democratic National Committee members shot down an effort to hold a climate change-focused presidential debate Saturday, in a victory for party leadership and a defeat for activists demanding a stronger focus on the environmental crisis.

Party delegates voted 222 to 137 against allowing candidates to participate in a debate dedicated to the topic, after a heated floor fight interrupted by protesters chanting “We can’t wait!” and “Failure of leadership!”

The bitter dispute at the party’s annual summer meeting in San Francisco threatened to reignite criticism on the left that Democratic leaders are squelching debate on one of the most important issues to young voters. And the delegates opposed a climate debate even though many of the presidential contenders have come out in favor of one."

Casey Tolan reports for the San Jose Mercury News August 24, 2019.

SEE ALSO:

"Democratic National Committee Votes Against Allowing 2020 Candidates To Participate In Climate Change Debate" (CNN)

"Activists Push Democrats On Climate Change, A New Priority For Party's Base" (NPR)