Critics of the Bush administration's environmental program are increasingly targeting loose regulation, which is now being blamed for various problems such as the US financial crisis and tainted Chinese imports. As President George W. Bush's tenure comes to an end, there is growing criticism of the use of regulation rather than legislation to shape environmental policy. This critique has become more prominent as the presidential election approaches, with both John McCain and Barack Obama taking positions on the environment that differ from the current administration. While the environment is an important issue for US voters, it falls below the economy and jobs as their top concern, according to polling data. A CNN poll showed that 66 percent of respondents considered the environment important or very important in choosing a president, compared to 93 percent who said the same about the economy. Opponents, both within and outside of government, have criticized the White House for its handling of various environmental issues, including carbon emissions, protecting endangered species, clean air and water preservation, and toxic pollution cleanup. Senator Barbara Boxer and Frank O'Donnell from Clean Air Watch have both condemned the administration's actions, stating that the weakening of environmental regulations has negative consequences for public health and the environment. A Capitol Hill staffer who is knowledgeable about global warming legislation accused the Bush administration of actively trying to hinder efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. According to the staffer, the administration was the main barrier to making progress and did everything possible to prevent any action from being taken. James Connaughton, the head of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, strongly disagreed with this accusation, 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 incentives. Connaughton criticized states, particularly California, for setting high environmental standards but not meeting them. He criticized Congress for not reinstating the Clean Air Interstate Rule after it was rejected by a federal appeals court in July. Bush initially promised to regulate carbon emissions when he ran for president in 2000, but changed his stance once in office, citing job loss and unfair advantages to developing countries. The Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that the EPA could regulate greenhouse gases if they posed a health risk. The EPA delayed a decision on this ruling, leaving the regulatory action to the next president. Conservation groups have heavily criticized the Bush administration for its handling of endangered species designations. So far, 58 species have been listed under the Endangered Species Act during the current president's term, in comparison to 522 species under President Bill Clinton and 231 under President George H.W. Bush. The Bush administration waited until one day before a court-ordered deadline to list the polar bear as threatened by climate change. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne stated that the listing would not directly address climate change, and he was taking steps to prevent the decision from being used to implement global warming policies. The decision was commended by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a sensible compromise between business interests and environmental protection. 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 efforts to safeguard public health and the environment.