To: Interested Parties
From: Pete Maysmith, SVP of Campaigns, LCV Victory Fund
Date: October 1, 2024
Re: Ahead of Tonight’s VP Debate

The astounding devastation caused by Hurricane Helene across the South is just the latest example of a disaster fueled by climate change that puts a tragic exclamation point on the stakes of this election. Trump has consistently denied and mocked climate change, including joking that rising sea levels lead to “more beachfront property.” Even as the horrible toll on people and property was becoming clear last weekend he continued to call climate change a “scam” and callously said “you’ll be okay” to a rally crowd in response to the destruction of the storm. Anyone paying attention at all though knows that science tells us that Trump’s Big Oil allies and fossil fuel pollution are a major contributor to Helene and its tragic aftermath. 

Despite the scientific certainty around climate change, we know without a shadow of a doubt that Trump’s controversial running mate– J.D. Vance– will never admit that climate change fueled by Big Oil played a terrible role in the ferocity of the storm. Instead, Vance will likely encourage fossil fuel production and advocate for the Project 2025-approved policies that will roll back efforts to combat the climate crisis. In sharp contrast we expect Governor Walz, a climate champion, to demonstrate his understanding and experience implementing a clean energy economy that lowers costs, that increases access to clean air and water, and creates high-paying family sustaining jobs.

What’s clear is that Vance is trailing in Trump’s lying, bombastic wake – he is a MAGA Republican determined to implement Project 2025, enact Big Oil’s wish list, and threaten the jobs of thousands of people benefitting from clean energy economy initiatives. Trump’s Vice Presidential pick is a reflection of Trump and the types of policies he is prepared to not only cosign but enact as president. Meanwhile, Harris chose Governor Tim Walz who has been a fierce advocate for tackling climate change and knows that building a clean energy economy is the path forward that puts families, communities and our climate first. 

Elections have consequences. The health and safety of our families, communities, and our climate are at stake. In preparation for tonight’s Vice Presidential debate, here is a reminder of who both Presidential candidates have chosen as their running mate: 

Donald Trump’s Pick: JD Vance 

• Vance not only has a history of denying the science of climate change but he has also praised the architects of Project 2025, including policies that could result in the loss of thousands of clean energy jobs and would fundamentally alter the National Weather Service and NOAA despite this week’s reminder of how critical these services are during extreme weather.  
• JD Vance is your favorite climate denier’s favorite climate denier.  Kevin Roberts, head of the Heritage Foundation behind Project 2025 said he was “rooting” for JD Vance to be Trump’s pick 
• Vance has rebuked clean energy efforts and introduced legislation to roll back tax incentives for electric vehicles. To make matters worse, he even introduced legislation that would provide a tax credit for purchasing gas-powered vehicles.
• He has disagreed that fossil fuels were bad for the environment and has called for the increased production of fossil fuels. 
• Vance has said he would like to get rid of much of the Inflation Reduction Act. But, the landmark climate law passed with Kamala Harris’s tie-breaking vote has benefited Vance’s home state.
• Here is what we said when Vance was first announced. 

Kamala Harris’s Pick: Tim Walz

• As Governor, Walz delivered historic legislation to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2040, requiring Minnesota electricity to stem from wind, solar or other carbon free resources.
• He also worked with Minnesota Democrats to pass legislation that increases access to electric vehicles, assesses cumulative impacts in environmental justice communities and replaces lead pipes to ensure clean water for all. 
• Just last year, Walz passed nearly 40 climate initiatives to reduce greenhouse gasses and stave off climate change.
• Here is what LCV Action Fund said when Kamala Harris announced Tim Walz as her running mate. 

At the end of the day, the most revealing part of any debate between VP candidates is what it says about the nominees who picked them. Kamala Harris picked a climate champion who has been both an effective governor and legislator who shares her values and vision for a prosperous future fueled by clean energy. Trump chose an unpopular, ineffective freshman Senator whose extreme views on climate and energy are only eclipsed by his deeply offensive and immoral comments about women, and racist and self-admitted lies about immigrants in his own state. 

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Paid for by LCV Victory Fund, www.lcvvictoryfund.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.