Edwards wins US online poll on climate change

WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) John Edwards has the best approach to fighting climate change of any 2008 Democratic presidential contender, according to an online straw poll of members of the liberal activist group MoveOn.org.

Edwards, a former senator and the 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee, won more than 33 per cent of the 95,284 votes cast in the online survey by MoveOn members.

Ohio Rep Dennis Kucinich barely edged out Sens Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois for second place. Kucinich won 15.73 per cent of the vote, while Clinton won 15.71 per cent and Obama won 15.03 per cent.

The survey, which asked MoveOn members which candidate had the best position on dealing with climate change, was taken after a Saturday online forum in which the Democratic candidates staked out their positions.

The event coincided with the global Live Earth concerts designed to highlight the issue.

Clinton leads the eight Democratic presidential contenders in national opinion polls ahead of the November 2008 election, with Obama running second and Edwards third. But Edwards leads many state polls in the crucial early voting state of Iowa.

Edwards has proposed a broad plan to boost US energy independence and cut pollution. The plan includes proposals to repeal subsidies for big oil companies and create an energy economy fund to support research and development in energy technology.

Edwards also finished first in the survey among MoveOn members who said they attended one of more than 1,000 house parties around the country to listen to the forum. Edwards won 25 per cent of their votes, with New Mexico Gov Bill Richardson second with 20 per cent.

REUTERS SBC BST0025