Joe Scarborough, this morning on MSNBC, challenged Barack Obama to be aggressive on alternative energy in his address to the nation tomorrow night. Like me, Scarborough wants Obama to channel the spirit of John F. Kennedy, who in 1961 announced that we’d put a man on the moon by the end of the decade, and tell us that we’re going to be energy independent by 2020. He wants Obama to present an ambitious vision and lead us. Sadly, though, Scarborogh is doubtful that Obama will do it. The following clip comes from the Huffington Post:
…Ultimately though, Scarborough acknowledged that President Obama is unlikely to make such a speech. According to New York magazine’s John Heilemann, that’s because Obama’s White House picks battles that they think they can win and the votes are lacking for an aggressive energy bill…
I want a President who cares a little less about what appears to be politically achievable, and a little more about what needs to be done to put our country on the right track. I’m tired of playing it safe, like we did on the health care bill. Obama knew that a single-payer system was the right thing for the country, but, instead of fighting for it, he walked away, content with getting a marginal win. I don’t want to see the same thing happen on energy policy. Now’s our chance to do something truly great. We need to seize the opportunity.
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[Tonight’s post is brought to you by the man behind the BP disaster, our former Vice President, Dick Cheney.]
12 Comments
I agree that he’s not likely to change now. Contrary to what the tea partiers claim, we didn’t elect a transformational President. I don’t even think we elected a Democrat.
I agree that Obama should use this opportunity to push for a big change.
Juan Cole has some good thoughts today on the politics of energy policy:
http://www.juancole.com/2010/06/big-oils-predations-are-not-your-fault.html
Bush used 911 to take on Iraq. Obama could likewise use his disaster – the oil slick in the Gulf – to push through enormous reform. This is our chance to push alternative energy in a big way, and he shouldn’t waste it.
Complain. Complain. Boo. Hoo. Maybe u could cry under water because when you cry you inhale and exhale quite frequently wich would make you drown.
Tonight is Obama’s last chance with me.
If we all cry into a bucket, perhaps we could take turns drowning ourselves in tears. That would be a great image, like those monks who set themselves on fire. We should do it on the steps of the Capital.
“Drowning myself in a bucket of tears” would make a good song title.
Why don’t we see more natural-gas-powered vehicles? Canada is on it. That would be a step toward independence.
He’s just the temporary head of the executive branch. There’s only so much any president can do about the crappiness of reality besides act madder.
I think his milquetoast speech tonight was the possibly the final word on his presidency. Fair or not, this spill is going to sink him. Fucking Mitt Romney in three years. Jesus, that’s a depressing future.
He had every opportunity to be a great leader too. Such a waste.
Reading this makes me want to launch a video campaign… something that would ask people to just turn their laptop cameras on, or grab their point-and-shoot, and record a 20 second video that just says quickly what you’ve said above. “Fight for this”.
I wonder if it would gain any attention in the White House… I suppose there’s only one way to find out.