Queen of the fear mongers.

WASHINGTON — Shrugging off potential political damage to vulnerable Southern and mountain-state Democrats, 18 Democratic senators led by Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., went on an election-year assault Tuesday against climate-change denial, accusing oil and coal interests of holding members of Congress captive on the issue.

These ostensible captives are not just Republicans, but Democrats representing conservative-leaning states that are home to large fossil-fuel industries.

Democratic senators facing tough re-election battles in November include Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, home to the nation’s offshore oil industry, and Mark Begich of Alaska, another big-oil producer. Democrats also must defend three seats left open by retirements in coal and gas country: Montana, West Virginia and South Dakota.

In all five states, Republicans lead by large margins in early polling. Democrats now control the Senate by a five-vote margin.

Asked about the risk, Boxer called the political calculus “ridiculous.” […]

Boxer said she hoped to enlist Republicans from coastal states such as Florida’s Marco Rubio. Much of Miami faces inundation from rising seas.

“Florida is a nightmare waiting to happen,” Boxer said. “I could mention every Republican from a coastal state, they ought to be with us. They ought to be leading the charge¦ And that’s our goal, to wake up Congress.”

HT: Tom Nelson