Return to The Green Elephant Index

No Endorsement for the White House

Earlier this year, Republicans for Environmental Protection made the difficult—but ultimately unavoidable—decision not to endorse the sitting president of our party for re-election.

Since January 2001, REP has documented innumerable instances when we believed the Bush administration was behaving irresponsibly and with wanton disregard for America’s public health and natural resources. We have lamented many of President George W. Bush’s appointees and their subsequent decisions. Our Green Elephant articles, press releases, speeches, and published letters and op-eds on a variety of issues related to the administration’s many regrettable actions are available for review on our web site.

REP does not endorse Democrats. To do so would undercut our endorsements when they have the potential to do the most good: in Republican primaries. This decision, therefore, is not and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the president’s Democratic challenger, but rather as a simple and honest acknowledgement that over the last four years, the Bush administration has compiled a deliberately anti-environmental, anti-conservation record that will result in lasting damage to public health and to America’s natural heritage.

We hope that someday soon Republicans for Environmental Protection will be able to endorse and support, enthusiastically and without hesitation, a conservation-minded Republican candidate for president. Until that time comes, REP will continue building our grassroots strength and visibility throughout the country, speaking truth to power, and providing an organized, credible voice for Republicans who support natural resource conservation and environmental protection. REP will continue endorsing like-minded candidates for Congress.

REP members are well educated on environmental and conservation issues and are perfectly qualified to decide for themselves on their choice for president. We leave that decision to them.