This sounds familiar

Clinton only candidate to appear at energy forum on Thurs.

Posted by David Roberts at 2:14 PM on 26 Feb 2008

Read more about: politics | elections | presidential race 08 | Hillary Clinton | energy

The Greater Houston Partnership had planned a bigtime energy forum where all the presidential candidates would come and discuss America's energy future.

Only Clinton agreed to come.

Despite that, it should be interesting. There will be lots of players from Big Oil & Gas there, and they want to hear about what they euphemistically call "short-term solutions," i.e., um, oil and gas.

Will Clinton elect to piss them off, or piss her green supporters off? Find out Thursday!

For story: This sounds familiar
13 Comments | Post a Comment

Something I would like to see Dave

is a survey of noted environmentalists and how they are coming down between supporting Obama or Hillary. I have heard you comment in the past that the differences between the two are just about a wash as far as who is greener, so I think this would be of interest to the Grist community.

Randy Cunningham

Randy Cunningham

by randino at 2:40 PM on 26 Feb 2008

Radical

Hillary has nothing to lose at this point, she should just go radical. It could open up a new green battle front. Someone tell her to check out the blogging here for direct subsidies for renewables and conservation.

And the anti fuel farming, clean coal, and nuclear power stand.

Anyone have her email or cell number? Hehey.

But seriously a quick primer on how to get this energy revolution going might be the miracle that could save her. Renewable distributed smart grid, geo heat exchange conservation, biodigestors and mechanized organic ag,and plugin hybrids. That sort of plan.

Don't ask Randy. The editorial policy has shifted around here. To give cellulosic ethanol and clean coal a chance. Since Barack is stuck supporting those positions.

They even went soft on Lutz, until the WSJ caught it. The backtracked the other way. Pretty pathetic backtracking all around.

I seem to remember some comment like "environmental blogger..uhg" also. Hehehey. Flip floppin'.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

by amazingdrx at 10:29 PM on 26 Feb 2008

She's done

Talking honestly and accurately about energy policy to the american people is a sure sign that somebody has given up the bid for a presidential nomination and is running for vice-president.

Of course if she's all tokenism and plattitudes you know that she still intends to push the nominating process to the gritty end while the GOP cheers on the dog-fight.

Wait and see.

Put the Carbon Back

by Pangolin at 12:19 AM on 27 Feb 2008

Where's Obama?

I was disappointed in Obama after he didn't participate in the grist forum on global warming. For a time after I was leaning towards Clinton because of it.

Why won't he attend this one?

Does Obama's lack of participation in these forums hurt his green cred?

David, can you shed any light on this?

by danielbell at 10:12 AM on 27 Feb 2008

And the general public says

"Huh?"

But seriously a quick primer on how to get this energy revolution going might be the miracle that could save her. Renewable distributed smart grid, geo heat exchange conservation, biodigestors and mechanized organic ag,and plugin hybrids. That sort of plan.

Sorry, Dr. X, but the majority of Americans don't even realize that we face an "energy crisis," or they don't think of it that way. They know that gas is expensive, heating the house is expensive, that driving your car makes global warming worse, and that buying oil helps Osama bin Laden. That's about it.

Remember, intelligent, articulate candidates who try to explain complex relationships to the American populace don't get elected. They are "snobbish," "elite" and "soft." Good old boys who chuckle a lot and can't spell "nuclear" (let alone pronounce it) get elected.

If we could get Hil to chuckle, snort, start chewing tobacco, and scratch her groin every now and then.... then she might have a chance.

by kmp at 11:19 AM on 27 Feb 2008

Last ditch

It would be a brilliant last ditch effort KMP. But yes, it is way too difficult to sound bite. It would take real political majic to wrap up asll the economic, foreign policy, and climate issues in a neat, renewable bow.

Hehey, Hillary could do more scratching and chawing. Good point.

I wonder when the last tobaccy chewin' prez was in office? Jackson, Grant?

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

by amazingdrx at 12:01 PM on 27 Feb 2008

Can the rube baiting people.

A lot of ordinary Americans consider environmentalists to be a bunch of elitist snobs, and with some of the posts here, you can't blame them.

A politics based on the belief that the American people are stupid is a politics that is DOA.

Randy Cunningham

Randy Cunningham

by randino at 12:08 PM on 27 Feb 2008
[ Parent ]

Social Dip

Maybe she should take up the pipe:

Women did not pick up the cigar in a century increasingly concerned with maintaining distinctive spheres for male and female. However, many among the older generation, occasionally in the rural North, but particularly in the rural South, continued to smoke pipes, including Mrs. Andrew Jackson and Mrs. Zachary Taylor, both presidents' wives.

I still say it makes the most sense to just split into two nations. Red states, have your McCain. Then the Blue Nation can focus on who would be a better leader, rather than who has the best chance of beating McCain.

Sigh. I think I need to up my meds.

by kmp at 12:14 PM on 27 Feb 2008

Randy

I didn't call the American people stupid, or rubes. I said that they don't vote based on analytical ability, or intelligence; they vote based on likability. It is an emotional reaction rather than an analytical one.

There is some truth to "know your audience." It would be nice to think that politicians can simply state their beliefs, their qualifications for the job, and have done. But clearly, that is not the way to get elected.

by kmp at 12:20 PM on 27 Feb 2008

The United States of Canada

Yes, that is the real solution. It takes quite a bit of wealth to join up as an individual, but maybe the northern states could negotiate a package deal for US?

20 bucks per head for paperwork? If we join up with our land. That would be a good deal for all.

Ahh, but what was really in those pipes of the first ladies? Hehey.

Well just go skiing instead of medicating, that's what I'm doing next...zoooooom!! fast dangerous icey trails.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

by amazingdrx at 12:21 PM on 27 Feb 2008

Now its on the table

Both Obama and the Clintons are putting "green" issues on the "agenda" by mentioning them. More and more people are beginning to think about alternative energy and the monetary and climate costs of fossil fuels. (I wish they'd both also talk more about food issues. . . but maybe some day)

I attended an Obama rally in Ohio. When he mentioned the environment, there was little reaction. When he described the many benefits of "green collar" jobs, the crowd cheered and maybe 25% stood up. Politicians have emphasized the "costs" of environmental protection and energy conservation for far too long. It is refreshing to hear candidates describe the economic, social, and environmental benefits of "going green".

In response to your observation that Americans vote emotionally -- you bet we do. Great leaders inspire. A good leader does not have to be an expert on anything but he or she does have to recognise an expert (and know enough to be able to weigh the facts) and "lead"/cajole/inspire the rest of us to listen and act upon expert advise. It's true of teachers, managers, coaches, CEO's, parents, and politicians. I can't think of very many great coaches who were also great athletes. "Leadership" is a specific skill set that the rest of us frequently recognize on a "gut" level.

"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." -- Mahatma Ghandi

by Green Granny at 2:08 PM on 27 Feb 2008
[ Parent ]

Hillary and Obama: Propane Powered Lawn Mower

We might as well go for propane, it's readily available, clean and efficient and using it for lawn care would cut expenses while restoring better air quality across the country. Look for EnviroGard Lawn Mowers. They are smart for the environment, especially in non-attainment areas! Come-on you green people.....www.mow-green.com and get clean. We like fresh clean air (and landscapers will love no ozone alert restrictions).

by barbara santoro at 9:33 AM on 05 Mar 2008

"refreshing"

OK, Green Granny, I agree with what you have written here, and like very much your comment on leadership. Another analogy: There are very good reasons why some professional music students choose to specialize in conducting, and not in playing an instrument.

In fairness, however, there is nothing original or new with Obama's words -- now -- about the benefits of "going green." Especially starting right after Hurricane Katrina, two and a half years ago, Bill Clinton, John Edwards and Al Gore are on the record as saying things to this effect. And in the case of John Edwards, unlike Obama, one recognized that he was sincerely interested in the subject.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 10:39 AM on 05 Mar 2008

ADVERTISING POLICY

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