There is entirely to much focus on finding a unified defense strategy against the Bush administration among the environmental community. There is no single issue the leadership can pick to "win". In fact, these groups are doomed to pick marginally relevant issues because the nature of single issue organizations. Would the generalists like NRDC or Sierra Club ever back a strategy that said a single issue like forests or rivers was the major issue? No ..They don't want the fundraising and membership advantage to pass to thier perceived competitors like American Rivers or Wilderness Society.
The result is that the groups can only unify around issues that are super complex and without a threatening member (national compeditor for funds, accolades and members) identified with the issue. This is why we get the brilliance of the "most important " issue is Artic Refuge or AntiSUV campaign not drinking water, clean air and anti-pollution. I can see them rallying around climate change (no clear group leadership) but not river protection which polls 65% or better in favor of more protections.
Back to Rove, one of the few nuggets of wisdom that Rove delivered to the 2000 election is an old adage that the presidency is NOT a national election but a 50 state election. We do not need a unifying story or defense strategy. We need many stores that will help convince a majority that the better not screw with the health and protection of our environment.
