The problem, rather, is that Ms Fiorina had to hesitate on the specific question of whether humans are causing global warming. Carly Fiorina’s tenure as CEO of Hewlett-Packard has been severely criticised, but she is clearly an intelligent woman and in all likelihood recognises that man-made global warming is real. It is troubling that the contemporary state of American political discourse obliges people who know better to stifle themselves on this issue. So long as segments of the American political elite feed voters cynical lines on global warming, and large numbers of voters believe them, America will continue to get the political leadership it deserves, and face the serious consequences of inaction.