Staff Reports
Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio appears to be pulling a classic political maneuver as he faces a tough reelection battle. Once a firm supporter of the far-left Green New Deal, he has recently started to distance himself from this agenda, likely sensing that his political life depends on it. Observers note that Brown’s newfound skepticism toward the Biden administration’s eco-radical policies is not just a casual change of heart; it’s a calculated move in the face of looming election threats.
In a remarkable turnaround, Brown has publicly opposed various measures that once received his enthusiastic backing. This includes rejecting a hydrogen tax credit and resisting stringent carbon emission regulations for coal plants. Unsurprisingly, the League of Conservation Voters has noticed this shift as well, downgrading Brown’s prestigious environmental score from a perfect 100% in 2021 to a mere 88% in 2023. Ironically, this is his worst rating in nearly a decade and sits well below his career average of 94%. One can’t help but wonder if the voters of Ohio are being treated to a classic display of political gymnastics.
Sherrod Brown Backed Biden’s Climate Agenda. Now Facing A Tough Reelection, He’s Running Away. https://t.co/H6cAnQUFQo
— Dawn Wildman (@WildmanDawn) September 3, 2024
Polls are projecting a nail-biter for Brown as he squares off against Republican businessman Bernie Moreno. The incumbent leads by just a narrow margin, even as Moreno gears up for a massive $25 million ad blitz. With a track record of holding firm to his liberal convictions most of the time, Brown’s opposition to the Green New Deal during an election year almost feels like a last-minute Hail Mary. John McHenry, a Republican polling guru, suggests that this is just Brown’s year to pander to Ohioans, only to revert to his liberal ways once safely ensconced in office.
This isn’t Brown’s first rodeo when it comes to flip-flopping. He’s been criticized before for shifting his position on various issues, particularly taxes. He has a history of flip-flops stretching back decades, even endorsing term limits in the late ’90s only to oppose them years later. Staying relevant in the Senate may require frequent reboots of his political persona, but Ohioans are no strangers to this kind of political sleight of hand.
As for the economic implications of climate policies, experts argue that Ohio’s heavy reliance on traditional energy sources could severely hamper the state’s economic vitality if radical Green New Deal-style policies take hold. Finding common ground on energy issues has never been more critical, but Brown’s record suggests he might have sold out Ohio energy workers once too often. Voters could very well connect the dots between rising energy prices under Biden and Brown’s previous policy endorsements, making this election a key moment for conservatives looking to reclaim power. The final question remains: can Bernie Moreno seize this opportunity, or will Sherrod Brown’s ever-changing allegiance prove unsurprisingly resilient?
