Energy woes stir passions in Monied ‘Burb

Ari Pinkus

Posted: 08.12.2008 / 10:19 AM EDT

Lower Makefield Township, Pa. ­- The farmers’ market here last Thursday was supposed to be a fun-filled family event. The main attraction was to be the “zucchini race” in which children raced summer squash down a ramp in cars they designed. Some people milled around, buying local produce, flowers, and other items.

But even here, America ’s energy issues stirred passions. Many people complained that high oil prices had driven up their spending at the grocery store. Some county residents were furious that Congress had recessed before voting on energy legislation. They took their frustration out on their congressman, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D), who held a “Congress on your Corner” event at the market. Signs read: “Less talk, more drilling” and “Murphy, just keep your tires pumped.”

And Lower Makefield is not known as a political hotbed.

But Bucks County , which includes this township, has been a key political battleground in recent presidential elections, and it figures to be a hot spot this year, too. Much of the county has long put an emphasis on green values, and candidates had to fall in line to a certain degree. Now, with all the focus on global warming and energy, these residents, as well as other Americans, are weighing where candidates stand on these issues more carefully before they cast votes this fall.

Among Patchwork Nation’s types of communities, Bucks County is a “Monied ’Burb.” Its median household income ­ at $70,406 ­ is well above the national median, according to the latest census figures from 2006. Despite the residents’ complaints at the farmers’ market, most wouldn’t say this “Monied ’Burb” has taken a huge economic hit.

Still, high food and gasoline prices have put a crimp in residents’ lifestyles and have begun to take a chunk out of their pocketbooks.

So far, the county’s green energy efforts include the fourth-largest solar-power facility in the United States , as well as wind turbines at a former US steel plant in Fairless Hills, which is also part of Bucks County. “Washington needs to follow our lead in Bucks County ,” Representative Murphy said last Thursday.

For his part, Murphy seemed to be unfazed by all the hubbub at the farmers’ market (which included this sign: “Murphy plays with zucchini as Bucks Co. suffers”). He spoke to several constituents for an hour, often one on one. One of them likened House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Marie Antoinette because he felt she was out of touch with the people by deciding to shut down the House 10 days ago without moving an energy bill forward. Murphy reminded many people that he was one of 17 members of Congress who opposed the August recess.

Residents at the market repeatedly brought up how offshore drilling could help solve the energy crisis. “It’s better that the US do the drilling than China or Cuba . It will be a lot safer,” said Andrew Kushner, a Bucks resident who works in the beverage industry.

Murphy said he supports limited drilling but would not disturb the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He described ANWR as a “sacred place” ­ the dominant view among area residents. His Republican opponent, Tom Manion, favors offshore drilling as well as seeking out alternative energy sources and developing incentives to conserve.

That race is one to watch this election cycle. Pennsylvania ’s Eighth District, which includes Bucks County , Northeast Philadelphia, and a small part of Montgomery County , was in Republican hands between 1993 and 2007. In the midterm elections two years ago, the district had one of the most competitive congressional races in the US and ultimately switched party control when Murphy won in a squeaker.

Similar to other “Monied ’Burbs,” Bucks closely split its presidential vote between the two parties in 2004 and 2000. Four years ago, it narrowly voted for John Kerry. In 2000, Al Gore took Bucks by five points.

But just because this community is friendly territory to Murphy and has voted for Democrats in past presidential races doesn’t mean that Barack Obama is receiving the same reception. Bucks County , including Lower Makefield , went for Hillary Rodham Clinton in the April primary by a 26-point margin. (Senator Clinton carried Lower Makefield 55 percent to 44 percent.)

Even for some who have identified with the Democratic Party, Obama stands out as too liberal. “He has a voting record to the left of [Vermont Sen.] Bernie Sanders. And Sanders is a socialist,” Mr. Kushner says.

In the sizable Jewish community here ­ an orthodox Jewish synagogue is a mile down the road from the farmers’ market ­ many don’t trust the Illinois senator. “For me, the issue is Israel . With Obama, you get Louis Farrakhan and Rev. [Jeremiah] Wright coming in the back door to the White House,” says Ron Smith, a Lower Makefield Township supervisor who describes himself as a Democrat and socially liberal.

Then there’s Obama’s message that John McCain is running for President Bush’s third term. But residents say that Senator McCain’s longtime image as a maverick is still strong here.

Whichever candidate prevails in this “Monied ’Burb,” it’s safe to say that the energy issue will seep into everyday discussions in this community for some time to come.