Mr. Runyan has argued that Ms. Adler and her Democratic allies are not only distorting the issue but are actually the ones who would endanger Medicare.
Many victims say they have been heartened by the pope's attention to the issue, but are waiting warily for him to match his words with actions.
And next month, world governments will assemble in Copenhagen to discuss the issue but are not expected to produce any binding agreements on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally.
Owners of apartment buildings have largely ignored the issue but are starting to recognize the demand for smoke-free housing, said Mr. Bergman, one of the organizers of a meeting of about 75 smoke-free housing advocates from around the country held in October in Minneapolis.
In recent years, special interests have done an end run around contribution and spending rules by running ads in the days leading up to an election that purport to be about an issue but are actually campaign ads intended to help one candidate win.
The US and EU are making clear that they still wish to engage with Iran on the nuclear issue but are insisting it stop enriching uranium, which it is feared could be used to build nuclear weapons and is not intended for the peaceful ends claimed by Iran.
