Whichever way the Michigan Republican primary goes--and we'll know soon enough--something very noteworthy has occurred on the climate and energy front.

Due to this particular dynamics of this race, which has been set in the backyard of the ailing American auto industry just after the U.S. Congress voted to increase corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the two frontrunners John McCain and Mitt Romney have been trading multiple barbs over climate and energy policy.

Aides and staffers of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney are listed among the principals of a new Astroturf group set up last fall to deny the science of global warming.

The new group advertises itself as the American Environmental Coalition - "working to keep America beautiful, strong and prosperous." But the sole focus of its expensive website is to question the science of climate change. As for its outreach activities, the AEC seems intent only on attacking Romney's presidential competitor John McCain, the Republican candidate with the best record on responding to climate change.

I have a confession to make. In a weird sort of way, I actually find it kind of fun to whale on various U.S. Republicans--like James "Flat-Earth-Doesn't-Only-Refer- to-Oklahoma" Inhofe--for their out-of-touch stances on global warming.

But in truth, as I recently surveyed the various presidential candidates' stances on global warming--helpfully compiled here--I actually found considerable grounds for optimism.

Even when it came to the Republicans…no, especially when it came to the Republicans.