Critics of the Bush administration's environmental program are increasingly speaking out against loose regulation, which is now being blamed for various issues such as the US financial crisis and the importation of contaminated Chinese goods. In the final months of President George W. Bush's presidency, there has been growing criticism about the reliance on regulation instead of legislation to shape environmental policy. This criticism is further fueled by the upcoming U.S. presidential election, with both Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama taking stances on the environment that differ from the current administration. While the environment is an important issue for American voters, it is not their top concern - the economy and jobs are prioritized. According to a CNN poll, 66 percent of voters consider the environment important or very important when choosing a president, compared to 93 percent who feel the same way about the economy. Opponents, both inside and outside of government, have criticized the White House for its handling of a wide range of environmental issues, such as climate change, endangered species protection, and pollution control. Senator Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat, has been a vocal critic, accusing the Bush administration of prioritizing narrow special interests over the health and well-being of the public. Frank O'Donnell of Clean Air Watch also expressed concern, stating that the administration's environmental policy is characterized by a lack of regulation. A Capitol Hill staffer who is knowledgeable about global warming legislation accused the Bush administration of actively trying to hinder efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. The staffer claimed that the administration was the main obstacle to progress and did everything in its power to prevent any action from being taken. James Connaughton, the head of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, strongly disagreed with this assertion, stating that the Bush administration has achieved as much or more in terms of environmental accomplishments compared to previous administrations, sometimes through regulations and other times through the use of incentives. Connaughton also criticized states, particularly California, for setting high environmental standards but failing to meet them. He criticized Congress for not reinstating the Clean Air Interstate Rule, which aimed to reduce power plant pollution, after it was rejected by a federal appeals court in July. When he campaigned for president in 2000, Bush pledged to regulate carbon emissions but changed his stance once in office, citing potential job losses and unfair advantages for countries like China and India. The Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that the EPA could regulate greenhouse gases if they posed a threat to human health. The EPA postponed a decision on this ruling, leaving it up to the next president to take action. Conservation groups have heavily criticized the Bush administration's handling of endangered species. Up to this point, the current president has listed 58 species under the Endangered Species Act, while President Bill Clinton and President George H.W. Bush listed 522 and 231 species, respectively. The Bush administration waited until one day before a court-ordered deadline on May 14 to list the polar bear as threatened by climate change. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne mentioned that the listing would not directly address climate change, and he was taking steps to prevent the decision from being used as a basis for global warming policy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce commended the ruling as a reasonable compromise between business interests and environmental issues. During a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on September 24, Boxer criticized the Bush administration for allegedly attempting to weaken the EPA and Interior Department's mandate to safeguard public health and the environment.