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BP Funding Tea Party's Climate Change Deniers

Big polluters give $240K to Senate campaigns

By Emily Rauhala, Newser User

Posted Oct 25, 2010 3:47 AM CDT | Updated Oct 25, 2010 7:38 AM CDT

(Newser) – Big-time big-polluting European firms are funding the Tea Party's climate change deniers, finds the Guardian. The paper discovered that 80% of campaign donations from major European firms like BP and Bayer went to politicians opposed to action on climate change. Recipients include Tea Party-backed incumbents Jim DeMint and James Inhofe.

European companies have collectively given $240,200 to conservative Senate candidates, which, the paper notes, is more than the $217,000 major Tea Party US bankrollers, David and Charles Koch have donated to Senate campaigns.The single biggest donor was Bayer, which gave $118,00 to US senate races, followed by $25,000 from BP. (Click here to read about the Tea Party's take on global warming.)

James Inhofe, climate change denier. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

BP is funding conservatives like Jim DeMint. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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Showing 3 of 149 comments

Laughing__Man

Oct 26, 2010 10:00 AM CDT

Climate change is a drop in the ocean of environmental problems we face. I could care less if the Tea Party believes in global warming or not - our mass production consumerist industry coupled with massive deforestation of the rain forests is destroying the planet likely faster than global warming. Tea Party you need to show me that you are at least aware of the huge environmental damage our companies and attitudes are doing if you ever want my support. If you think our environmental issues are something we can ignore, then I will never vote for you because that level of ignorance is outright DANGEROUS and irresponsible. Doubting the science is smart. Ignoring the massive damage we've caused is idiocy - We are Causing another mass extinction!

Paniscus

Oct 25, 2010 1:26 PM CDT

"But let's run with it...if we can agree that BP donates to people who are climate change deniers AND specifically the Tea Party - that's the headline right?....then why was their top donation to Barry Obama during the last election cycle?"... ==================This is quite an interesting question. Since, according to conservatives, Barrack Obama is an insane Marxist intent on demolishing the entire capitalist system it is indeed very strange that a company which is virtually an icon of capitalism should have donated so generously to his coffers.

roadhog

Oct 25, 2010 1:01 PM CDT

These donations are for free market tax policies and not for exploration. Obama has already signed off on continued drilling etc. If it's cap and tax you want, PROVE "climate change" is man made and you will have a supportive tea party with you!

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climate change • global warming • James Inhofe • election • Bayer • Election 2010 • British Petroleum • Jim DeMint • Tea Party • climate change deniers • european

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BP Funding Tea Party's Climate Change Deniers

Big polluters give $240K to Senate campaigns

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climate change • global warming • James Inhofe • election • Bayer • Election 2010 • British Petroleum • Jim DeMint • Tea Party • climate change deniers • european

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