Political Punch

"assuming he doesn't, what good did it do us when it came to voting on this bill?"

It allows him to vote with a reasonable assumption that he's not being unduly swayed by businesses.

As for the bill supporting nuclear research, etc... well, the bill supported a whole bunch of things, such as funds to subsidize energy efficient products for household use.

Frankly, as someone who has been very outspoken for a long time about global warming, I'm sick to death about all the fearmongering about nuclear power in the US. We *created* nuclear power in this country, but rather than support it and try making it a better, more efficient technology, we've left the advantages of being largely coal-free to countries such as France.

The fact is, global warming would be *MUCH* less advanced today had we created more nuclear power plants, and tens of thousands of US lives would've been saved, with the waste stored efficiently.

What we've gotten instead is increased global warming, and tens of thousands of Americans who have died from pollution directly linked to coal-fired power plants... with all the pollution directly dumped in our skies. In some communities, nearly 50% of children have asthma, which is directly linked to localized CO2 levels, oftentimes trapped in the smog that permenently colors the air we breathe in our largest cities.

Even James Lovelock, the person who created the Gaia Hypothesis and one of those most responsible for warning us about the threat of global warming, has made it clear that more nuclear power wold be beneficial, in that it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions ASAP, which is what is needed to reduce the impact of global warming.

And indeed, there are safer approaches to nuclear power, such as pebble bed reactors, which greatly reduce the risks of longterm nuclear waste storage. These reactors are have been safely operated overseas for quite some time.

Really, we need to be far less dogmatic about where we get our energy, because there is no one simple solution. Instead, we need to be working towards reducing greenhouse emissions as rapidly as possible, which means providing solutions on all fronts at once, if only because we simply cannot replace our existing infrastructure overnight. As such, we *MUST* make it more efficient ASAP and we *MUST* at least consider nuclear power as an effective stop-gap solution for greenhouse-gas free power until such time as we manage to make other options such as solar, wind, tidal, etc. a more efficient option.

(Note that I didn't mention tidal before. Frankly, I find it environmentally troubling, and not particularly efficient thus far... but I do think it deserves more research. I just don't think it's remotely ready for widespread use yet.)

Obama is running ads right now about how he doesn't take money from big oil (wink, wink) but assuming he doesn't, what good did it do us when it came to voting on this bill? It should also be noted that the bill included an expansion in nuclear power, and of course we all know that Exelon (which wants to build 16 nuclear plants throughout the US) has given Obama over $700,000.

Go Cliinton!! or Go McCain!! Whichever.

obama distorts other people's policies as well as his own. it doesn't matter - cnn and nbc/msnbc (as well as assorted net sites) will proclaim his statements brilliant and that will be that.

so sad to see democracy hijacked the way it has been this year.

For all we care, Obama is again peeled off . He is now bare caught with his pant down on how he addressed the nergy bill. Supporting the Republican Bush, he should jump fence because he is more loyal to Bush than McCian. It biols down to the kind of judgment , the principle of calculated risk,and how naive he can be as first time US Senator.I think he opted for calculated risk. Judging from the facts, he has the support now of big oil company because of the bill , the risk of losing supports from the dem.. is just minor because he can sway and persuade them to think otherwise. He has even the guts to make campaign ads that is contrary to his energy voting records. Those who can be fooled .. just continue to plug your ears, cover your eyes, and still Obama is your man.

The Bush/Cheney/Obama energy bill.

Hillary Clinton and John McCain voted against the bill.

Simple enough.

Mark Kraft,

There are endless possibilities as you have demonstrated. My choice would be to harness "wave" action, seeing as how our country is surrounded by three oceans.

Instead of Obama voting "yes" on Cheney's energy policy, he could have taken the high road, voted "no" and then worked with others in congress to provide some alternatives.

I suspect the "yes" vote provided a great deal of funding for the Obama campaign coffers......So much for "The People" and "That More Perfect Union".

And no, I'm not trying to rain on the parade of those who love solar, wind, etc. I love solar too. I support it with my own energy consumption. But that said, it's not practical yet as an alternative to coal, nuclear, etc.

The only highly productive, commercially competitive clean sources of energy at this moment are hydroelectric, geothermal, and nuclear... and of these solutions, only nuclear can be substantially increased, and even then, suffers from a finite supply of fuel, depending upon the types of reactors built.

Solar pales in comparison, and isn't a 24/7 source of energy. Significant improvement in solar cell capability are in the works certainly, but there are still significant limitations, especially since some of the most advanced solutions scientifically available require expensive fab technology, nanotubes, etc.

I've seen lots of solar cells that can tweak the yield up significantly, but so far it has been at the expense of a considerable added cost-per-cell.

Frankly, plastic solar cells are probably going to be the eventual solution to this, but there's another 15 years worth of research that needs to happen there to make it commercially viable.

Obama's justification for voting for the Cheney energy bill is indicative of how misinformed he is. Ethanol has been shown to be unsustainable and there is no such thing as "clean coal". Of the three presidential contenders it is only Obama who has voted to continue the Bush energy policy.

WestCoastMessenger,

What are you trying to say Hillary or McCain has experience of being US President? or You are saying CEOs of the company always have to be CEOs.

People who never used computer, don't have right to use computer for the 1st time? or Bill Gates/ Buffet was not the so they could be world's richest man?

Just because someone has more experience they should be President? then Only Joe Biden or McCain should be the only candidates!

Don't try to make us fool! If your 50/35 years of experience does not teach you good judgment then your education and judgment has no value. It is Character and Integrity any day over phony experience!!

OBAMA08!!YES WE CAN!! THERE IS ALWAYS 1ST TIME! YES YOU HAVE TO BE RIGHT 1ST TIME!!

RC,
I'm a Democrat that's all for what's right for the country. Putting an inexperienced novice in charge is a bad idea in business as well as politics. I've had to clean up the disasters that the inexperienced cause.

If you don't like the truth no need to attack me personally. Just make sure that you get enough zombies lined up to support your candidate. Those that aren't drinking the coolaid have a right to vote however we choose.
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Obama's supporters are on coolaid!
Obama doesn't support counting all votes
Obama is unelectable!
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WestCoastMessenger,

Just say it you are a Republican and be done with it. You invest everyday here to say bad thing about Sen. Obama at the end all your bulls will go to Drain and OBAMA will win!

Stay Positive and Enjoy Life!!

OBAMA08!!YES WE CAN!!

You know,

Hillary voted against this bill. She has said it is time to stop the subsudies for big business and use that money for R&D. See, the thing about Hillary is she IS in the solutions business.

Ethonal is not the answer, which is why we need more research and development of alternative energies. If you stop subsudies and use that money for grants you'd be amazed at the ingenious energy solutions Americans can create.

The media narrative for the 2008 election is that it is a "historic" one because of the GOP & Democratic candidates.Third party candidates will also have historic impact on the election. From Christian to pro-consumer interests, everyone is influencing the public debate except the Green Party.

SuperDelegates,
How much proof of Obama's political immaturity do you need. Obama is pathetic on this topic and talks out of a hat. Put him away for eight years until he's a little more baked. Please, give him a major committee assignment and see if he can even perform before you hand him the highest office in the land. I trust Hillary and McCain way before this novice.
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Obama is unelectable!
Keep Wright out of the White House!
Obama doesn't stand up for all voters!
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Poor Obambi. Most not have been a senior senator around to tell him how to vote.

More smoke and mirrors. Whoops, did I say smoke?

There is no twisting or lying about anything on Baraks part. Only your own.

You look to your own personal miusconceptions to justify your own personal misconceptions and that is now somehow HIS fault?!

YOU all need to get out of your high school mentalities and grow up.

I've just gotten so used to hearing Sen. Obama's excuses and seeing the media just let it all slide. He speaks out of both sides of his mouth, and noone reports it.

It's not moxie, it's called lying. The press has been allowing Obama to get away with extraordinary hypocrisy and misstatements, and it's time to treat him like -- uh -- white candidates.

Poor poor Barrack Obama

He has to twist, mislead and lie to try to make himself look better.

Isn't that what 8th graders do

He stoops lower and lower each day!

Obama is surrounded with lobbyist registered or unregistered. He is for nuclear energy and has watered down the bill to report nuclear waste. Out of the 3 candidates, Obama was the only one who voted for the Bush/Chaney energy bill! This is who you want for President. With a computer at your reach check out Obama legislative tenure in Illinois and the 3 years in the U S Senate.

I have a feeling if Gore jumps in to help Obama in a position that is just or predominantly for energy and green issues... this will all be moot point.

Don't you think your being disengenous when you're asking "Whos offering..." The implication is Obama is. I mean, seriously, I know you want to be in bed with Matt Drudge, but this is really bottom-of-the-barrel crap.

I was disgusted with the energy policy put together by Cheney and his fellow cronies behind closed doors. Good for McCain and Clinton to have voted against it.

Obama's justification for voting for it was that "while far from a solution, is a first step toward decreasing America's dependence on foreign oil"

So is he for first steps or not? When he and Clinton talked about bankruptcy bills and an amendment to cap interest charged on credit during a debate, he said he voted against it "because I thought 30 percent potentially was too high of a ceiling." Well, 30 percent may be high, but it's better than no ceiling at all.

What is his approach to making policy?

Same garbage from a McCain supporter. I heard foxnews is hiring.

WHy did you not put the fact that McCain received a FLAT ZERO from the Environmental groups? You are a insane reporter, with an agenda. Somehow, you try to equate OBama's energy policy with McCain's. They're INCOMPARABLE. And McCain is SURROUNDED by lobbyists (CURRENT lobbyists). Get your facts straight, and get out of ABC you fraud.

Well thank you again! I really enjoyed reading your work again today....Will this stick to the kid or will it slide right off? I would say this is a little more than a tad disingenuous, but what I have come to expect from the man....