One Thing Obama Didn't Say In His Oval Office Speech

by Jess Leber · 2010-06-15 19:03:00 UTC
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This morning we told you about five things Obama should say during his Oval Office speech. That was sort of a wish list -- an aim high, shoot for the moon sort of deal.

But now that the speech is over, there's one glaring thing the president did not mention as he addressed the nation for a half hour this evening.

He did not talk about climate change. The only reference was a nod to the bill the House passed last summer. Now, as Obama looks toward the uncertain future of legislation in the Senate, his words echoed the recent health care debate -- remember that now-forgotten "public option"?

This time, as he pushed for comprehensive energy reform that ends our addiction to fossil fuels, Obama talked about increased building efficiency and renewable electricity standards, and a boost of research and development funds. But the mention that there's even a proposal on the table to cap carbon emissions was missing as he said: "So I’m happy to look at other ideas and approaches from either party -– as long they seriously tackle our addiction to fossil fuels."

He continued: "But the one approach I will not accept is inaction.  The one answer I will not settle for is the idea that this challenge is somehow too big and too difficult to meet."

So Obama did take charge and get tough on BP as he laid out his "battle plan" against the spill. He compared the gushing oil to an "epidemic" we will be fighting for months and years to come, one that has tested the limits of human technology. He invoked the Moon landing and the World War II production effort.

All of this is great. And if the health care debate is any prelude, it sure looks like Obama is determined to get some energy bill passed. But if I were Sen. John Kerry or Joe Lieberman right now, if I even had any hope remaining that a plan to cap greenhouse gas emissions will make it through the Senate, that would be lost now. Their "public option" was never extremely likely to survive the coming political war, but Obama just made it so. And that is certainly a major lost weapon in his battle cry for a clean energy future.

Photo Credit: kevindooley

Jess Leber is a Change.org editor. She most recently covered climate and energy issues as a reporter in Washington, D.C
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