Climate change talk brings chills to Alaska Democrat

The Senate Democrats’ decision to issue a national wake-up call on climate change didn’t exactly come at a great time for Democrats like Sen. Mark Begich. Mr. Begich, who is seeking re-election in deep-red Alaska, was a no-show at last week’s climate change all-nighter on the Senate floor, but that didn’t stop his would-be Republican opponents from weighing in on his party’s call for tougher regulations on carbon dioxide emissions. “Last night, Senator Begich missed his chance to explain to his fellow Alaskans why he supports policies like cap-and-trade that will increase the price of energy, weaken job creation, and harm our state,” said former Attorney General Dan Sullivan, who is seeking the Republican nomination for Senate. “Unsurprisingly, this is par for the course for his tenure in the Senate,” Mr. Sullivan said in the statement. He also described the Democrat as “a loyal follower of President Obama’s climate change agenda.” Mr. Begich’s absence didn’t come as a surprise. Other Democrats who skipped the all-night talkathon included Sens. Kay R. Hagan of North Carolina, Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana and Mark L. Pryor of Arkansas, who also face tough re-election bids in conservative states. It was one more reminder of the troubles a Democratic president and the national party can inflict — intentionally or unintentionally — on a centrist candidate trying to save an endangered seat far from Washington...more