Gore says no to 'Climate Czar' role

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: The Washington Times

President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is flirting with creating a White House "Climate Czar," but climate change crusader Al Gore says he doesn't want the job.

The Obama team declined to comment on such a post, even as environmentalists and power industry executives say it's being widely discussed inside the transition offices as a way to spur a clean energy industry, which Mr. Obama has promised will ween the U.S. from foreign oil and create millions of "green jobs."

The obvious choice to lead the council is Mr. Gore, whose campaign to address climate change earned him the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. But the former vice president is taking a pass.

"Former Vice President Gore does not intend to seek or accept any formal position in government," Gore spokeswoman Kalee Kreider said. "He feels very strong right now that the best thing for him to do is to build support for the bold changes that we have to make to solve the climate crisis."

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/13/no-gore... /

[Javaman]

1. smart, because as a citizen he can talk about and do anything he wants...

under the "czar" title he would be hamstrung via policy. Obama has come out for "clean coal", Gore knows this is bullshit.

[AtomTan]

6. But if we take that approach, doesn't that limit us to second-rate cabinet appointees all around?

I mean, ideally Obama would allow dissent in his ranks, right? He'd be open to ideas.

[Javaman]

9. I would like to hope so, but given Gores current level of discouse

working under any administration would certainly handcuff him.

[Sensitivity]

2. Ex-VPs don't return to Gov for adminstration jobs.

[Autumn Colors]

3. Could we do away with the word "czar" please???

I hope President-Elect Obama will do away with this name as part of positions in United States Government.

And either get rid of the "Department of Homeland Security" or change the name when he reorganizes it (hopefully gets rid of it all together).

This language has too much "baggage" and I'd rather that it forever be connected with the GOP/Bush and NOT with a Democratic administration.

[klyon]

4. I totally agree Autumn Colors

I hate the czar thing and the Department Homeland Security needs to go too. I see their police cars driving around town and I wonder what is the point of this waste of money.

[TuxedoKat]

5. I agree with both of you too.

I can't stand the name "Homeland Security" and hope it gets changed in short order. It sounds both hokey and sinister at the same time and doesn't fit in with the other distinguished, no nonsense government agency names, like DOJ, DOE, DOT, HUD, DOI, EPA, NASA, Agriculture, etc. I'm not sure what I would suggest instead, Dept. of National Security?

[llmart]

10. Agreed...

especially that "Homeland Security" title. Spooky and unAmerican.

[lelgt60]

7. Used to be, Homeland Security was an military mission...

As I recall it being explained to me by a general.

Put it under Dept. of Defense. Make FEMA back to separate. Allow FEMA to request military help.

Opinions?

[WriteDown]

8. Forget Al Gore....

Never had much use for him. Ed Bagley Jr. is the man for the job. Hopefully, he is on the short list.

[glinda]

11. I think he should be involved somehow actually