Just for the record, we aren't out to get Sarah Palin -- or anyone else, for that matter. We're simply excited about the presidential race and want to discuss the candidates' environmental records in a thorough manner.

Yesterday's Greenwire (subscription required) ran separate pieces further discussing Sarah Palin's and Joe Biden's stances and abilities on certain issues, especially climate change. The Palin story discussed how last year she created a state subcabinet to look at climate change--certainly a step in the right direction.

Greenwire quoted her as having said: "Many scientists note that Alaska's climate is changing...We are already seeing the effects. Coastal erosion, thawing permafrost, retreating sea ice and record forest fires affect our communities and our infrastructure. Some scientists tell us to expect more changes in the future. We must begin to prepare for those changes now."

Again, strong thinking, but she didn't exactly put her money where her mouth was. The subcabinet only got $230,000 in Palin's budget, and a program to help communities threatened by coastal erosion a proposed $1.1 million, according to Greenwire. That might seem like a lot, but it deserves a second look when you think about how much coastline Alaska has or how quickly it's feeling the effects of climate change.

Finally, Greenwire quoted Palin as telling Newsmax magazine this month, "I'm not one, though, who would attribute [changes in Alaska's climate] to being man-made."

This raises a few questions. Can a vice president -- or president -- who doesn't believe humans are causing climate change accurately or adequately even begin to think about policies to mitigate or prepare for its impacts? Moreover, what type of effect would such a stance have on international policy? Now, the folks at Republicans for Environmental Protection assured us yesterday that Sarah Palin wasn't picked to be an environmental adviser, but if the vice president--or first lady or president's brother--makes enough noise about something, people usually listen.

Which brings us to today's Greenwire story on Joe Biden, which started the "what if" game about Biden affecting a post-Kyoto climate pact if he becomes VP and takes on the major foreign affairs role many expect he would. Former Colorado Sen. Tim Wirth told Greenwire that Biden would "bring some muscle and perspective and maturity to the process."

The article goes on to cite Biden's persuasion of Republican Sens. Richard Lugar (Ind.) and Chuck Hagel (Neb.) to change their opinion about certain climate policies. All and all, Greenwire concluded, it doesn't matter what Biden's negotiating, chances are he's going to find a good solution.