"George Bush has been the worst president on the environment that we've had since the environmental movement began in the late '60s," Lieberman said while touting his new energy plan at Don Weese's Complete Car Care service station.

"His administration has been an insult to the great Republican tradition of natural resource conservation that goes back to Teddy Roosevelt," the Connecticut senator said, citing Bush's push to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Julie Teer, a state Republican spokeswoman, called Lieberman's remarks typical campaign talk and defended the president's record on the environment.

"This has been a president who has put forward the most aggressive clean air proposal. He's gone further than any other administration," she said. "He's shown true leadership in striking a critical balance between ensuring we can grow our economy and protecting and preserving our environment."

Earlier this week, Lieberman released the details of an energy plan that calls for eliminating the nation's dependence on foreign oil, saying that doing so is vital to national security, environmental protection and maintaining a strong economy.

His plan favors relies heavily on lowering the amount of fuel used by vehicles and an emerging process for turning coal into pollution-free hydrogen.

On Friday, Lieberman said the president has focused too much on oil and foreign affairs, and not enough on alternative energy sources and domestic issues.

In a jab at his primary rivals, Lieberman said voters should not have to choose between "a president who says he will keep America strong in the world and a Democratic candidate who says he or she will make us stronger here at home."

"These are tough times for our country, both in the world and here at home," he said. "The American people deserve to have strong leadership both in the world and here at home on security and on the economy."

A recent Franklin Pierce College poll had Lieberman trailing behind Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who were tied for first.

Don Weese, owner of the service station Lieberman visited, voted for Bush in 2000. But Friday, he said he found himself liking the senator and his energy plan.

"George Bush comes from an oil family, which is good for me," Weese said. "But as a consumer, it's bad for me."

It wasn't just the fuel prices talking, he said. He also is drawn to Lieberman's balance of foreign and domestic policy.

"He's really strong on domestic issues, and that's really important to me," he said. "What goes on overseas is important to keep an eye on, but I think we spend too much on foreign aid. That's a big issue for me. I'd like to see a lot more domestic aid."

Author J. M. Hirsch Publication Date 09.05.2003 Document Type News articles Issue/Topic Energy & Climate Region North America Country United States Source Associated Press