LCV/CLCV Set Presidential Candidate Environmental Forum for June 26

April 22, 2003

Contact: Dan Vicuña

California league partners with national to place the environment at the center of the political stage

WASHINGTON - On Earth Day 2003, the national League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) announced their joint sponsorship of a presidential candidate forum on environmental issues, to be held Thursday, June 26, in Los Angeles.  Each of the nine Democratic presidential candidates has been invited to appear.  The goal of the event is to highlight the critical importance of the environment to voters in the 2004 presidential election.

"We're thrilled to partner with our friends in California to showcase the environment as a political priority to voters all over the country," said Deb Callahan, LCV president.  "I can't think of a better way to make sure the environment plays a key role in the 2004 presidential election than to start with a joint LCV/CLCV candidate forum."

"Where the Democratic candidates stand on the environment is a matter of great interest to voters in California and throughout the country," said David Allgood, CLCV Southern California Director.  "A candidate forum is the best way for voters to learn how important environmental protection is to those who want to be our next president."

Both organizations hope to use the event to encourage voter participation in the upcoming presidential election through an in-depth discussion on the environment.  Polls show that the environment is a key issue that affects ballot-box decisions, especially in California, a state that could play a deciding role in the presidential primary.  The candidate forum is part of a series of activities by LCV and its partners to amplify the environment as an issue in the presidential campaign.  Also in June, LCV and its partners will release a report card on the Bush environmental record.  In September, LCV will release individual reports detailing each of the candidate's environmental positions.  Throughout the year, LCV will distribute its "LCV Environmental Primary," a weekly e-mail to members of the media and other interested parties that provides news and views on the environmental statements and activities of the presidential candidates.

To learn more about each organization, visit the League of Conservation Voters (LCV)on the web at www.lcv.org and the California League of Conservation Voters at www.ecovote.org.