Intellectual Property Law

On the major ESA issue that has arisen this general campaign season, Obama's campaign opposes the proposed changes to ESA consultation regulations that could lower the bar for how federal agencies consider whether their actions affect listed species. However, Obama was not among the democratic Senators who authored a letter to Interior Secretary Kempthorne when the proposal was announced. On the other major ESA issue of the year -- the polar bear listing -- Obama did not elaborate his position (as Gov. Palin did ), but appears generally supportive. In response to a question regarding preservation of "wildlife" in the face of climate change, Obama responded: "I support maintaining the strong protections of the Endangered Species Act and think the Act is fundamentally sound."

Most recently, Obama advanced a clean-up plan for the Great Lakes (which, of course, border Illinois and possible swing states) that includes efforts to address invasive species, such as Asian carp.

The Obama website offers virtually no insight into his views on the ESA. Not suprisingly, it focuses heavily on energy issues.

Sierra Club supports Obama on ESA grounds, arguing that he is a better choice for biodiversity than McCain and that Obama will reduce political impediments to ESA listings.

On the whole, Obama's record and comments suggest that the candidate generally supports biodiversity protection and, although it is not a significant issue in his campaign, Obama appears likely to be a proponent of making biodiversity law more effective.