StoneyCreekNews.com: News: Story: Economic jitters bury Green Shift debate

As former U.S. president Bill Clinton's campaign famously declared in the run-up to his inaugural 1992 election victory, "It's the economy, stupid."

With less than two weeks left to go in the federal election, the Liberals' hopes of focusing the campaign on their Green Shift -- or shaft, as the Tories characterize it -- seem dim.

Local candidates from all parties say the economy is the hot topic at the door, fueled by the financial meltdown south of the border, with healthcare often a strong second.

Even Liberal hopefuls acknowledge voters aren't asking about the Green Shift and its mix of carbon taxes and income tax cuts.

"I kid you not. Everybody, it's the economy," said Mountain Liberal candidate Tyler Banham, who is "surprised" by the Green Shift's low profile.

How much change is realistic? Not as much as you might think | coshoctontribune.com | Coshocton Tribune

Even in areas where both McCain and Obama disagree with Bush, change could be difficult.

"Either a McCain or an Obama presidency would facilitate some sort of climate-change legislation, a departure from Bush's position," Nivola and Jones wrote. But the changes will be modest, they predicted, because "a Draconian, hence punishing, assault on greenhouse gases lacks popular consent, in this country and every other."