Wrapping It Up; Chasing Presidents with John Delaney and Tom Steyer By Joe Wilkinson Special to the Econo- mist As the marathon con- tinues for visibility in the February Iowa caucus, a couple runners have dropped off the pace. Another has joined the race. This week, though, closes my look at the 2020 Presidential candidates. I caught up with 14 Democrats over the last couple months, asking their support for the fed- eral Endangered Spe- cies Act if elected. A dozen answered. Their thoughts– and a few other views on the environment and climate change– have been shown in the last five weeks. One declined. Actually, New York City mayor ’s state cam- paign director nixed it. “He’s had an extra long day,” was the explanation, as he walked between his boss and me. Anoth- er, (former San Antonio mayor and former Hous- ing and Urban Devel- opment Secretary ), I missed in the jostling and shouts of the media scrum surrounding most candidates’ appear- ances. A 15th, former Mas- sachusetts Governor – then the only Re- publican challenger to President Trump– walked Democrat Tom Steyer talks from the straw bale stage at the Iowa State Fair this month. within 50 yards of me at A billionaire, Steyer is self-financing much of his campaign. He told the State Fair the state fair. I had my soapbox crowd he will not run as a third-party candidate if he does not get the 2020 back to him, though, and Democratic nomination. (photo by Joe Wilkinson) was told later he had been day with thousands of talk about biodiversities, ability to work with all there. Since then, former people flooding down- species extinction, yeah. sides on the issues seem to Illinois GOP Congress- town Cedar Rapids for I’m aware of the (U.N.) be THE campaign planks man Joe Walsh has joined a candidates forum, I report– highly aware of most candidates embrace. the race. caught up with Delaney. what we have to do to But they all have a climate Let’s close out, though, He was brief, with three make sure we are safe plan or campaign, by with my final two. Billion- or four other questioners on this planet,” replied now. I’ve got to think that aire businessman Tom right behind me. Steyer. Steyer– the last Democrat arose out of more people “YES! And I’ll also “Would you support to enter the race– and asking about it, when they deal with climate change,” it?” I asked again. former Maryland Con- weren’t hearing it on the he said. “And get us to net “I know you want to get gressman and business campaign trail. And there zero (carbon emissions) me (to answer the specific developer John Delaney, are still more than 14 by 2050, because that’s question now)… but I’m the first Dem to throw his months before the 2020 actually the most import- hat in the ring. telling you, you need to election. The question, one more ant thing we need to do.” think about this in a ho- The steady stream time? According to the With crowd noise, every- listic way, and you can of candidates through thing further was muffled. make sure that Americans 2019 re- Iowa has slowed. Jay In- I fell in with Steyer are safe… not just this port on biodiversity, we slee, and his delegation, on year, but going forward, now face the sixth mass and have the grand concourse at and making sure that extinction in Earth’s his- dropped out of the pres- the Iowa State Fair on we’re going to be healthy. tory. A million species idential chase. National may go extinct over the the way to his turn at the So, I’m highly aware, so     candidates soapbox Aug. when you’re thinking Democratic Party rules next few decades, due to about campaign fundrais- pollution, habitat loss 11. “Ask that inside. I about that, climate is just    might not get many ques- a shorthand. (I’m) highly ing and presence in the and climate change. In the polls will squeeze a few news, we’ve seen starving tions,” he requested. He aware,” he repeated. more out in the coming     orcas and polar bears; was deluged, of course. So, another candidate weeks. and plastics pulled from So, I caught up with him underscores how import- the stomachs of marine a half hour later. His ant Climate Change is Still, if a couple candi- -¥yAãy꥜«œïêï¶êñžžêŶ¶ßkãÍê species. Such losses harm answer differs from most as we head into a period dates I missed make any :yêßyãyßŵyêï˜yêߜŽ˜ïêï¶êykœïÍê late appearances, maybe our economies, health other responses. 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