Back in June when Shawn Moody was vying for the Republican nomination to be Maine’s next governor, the auto repair businessman stumbled when asked during a debate whether human activity is currently changing the climate in the state. “It’s mostly …” Moody began before pausing to collect his thoughts. “It’s no,” he finally responded. But four months later when asked about climate change again — this time as GOP nominee — Moody did not hesitate to hedge his answer. “Obviously human activity adds, or contributes, to climate change,” Moody said during a general-election debate against his Democratic opponent.
Moody is not alone in changing his tune. From Maine to California, Republican candidates up against strong challengers in swing states and districts have softened their stances, even if slightly, on the issue of global warming.