John Kerry on Grist: Introducing the American Power Act: On strategy and substance

[bananas]

John Kerry has posted on Grist about the climate bill:

http://www.grist.org/article/2010-05-12-introducing-the-american-power-act-on-the-strategy-and-substance

Introducing the American Power Act: On strategy and substance
by Senator John Kerry
12 May 2010 7:13 AM

<snip>

Which brings me to why I wanted to come by Grist -- because of the in-depth discussions you've already had here again and again on this issue.

But -- and here's the but -- I don't want to swing by and just sort of preach to the choir. We're true believers -- we already get the imperative of the threat our addiction to carbon-emitting energy poses. You know the science, you know the reality, and so do I.

So, what I do want to talk about is this: We need to take a deep dive together on the Senate strategy, and on the real details of the bill that make it important for the things you and I care about. So, I hope I bring something new to that discussion that we can use as a jumping-off point.

First, the Senate dynamic -- the politics of this place. I want to be candid about this, and I do so with a record on this issue that I think earned me the spurs to say this. We've been at this a long time. Al Gore and I held the Senate's first climate-change hearings in the Commerce Committee way back in 1988. Since then, precious little progress has been made and ground has been lost internationally, all while the science has grown more compelling. I can barely even count any more the number of international summits I've attended, or press conferences we've held after losing climate-change votes in the Senate where our message was, “Next year, we can get this done -- don't give up on the United States or the Senate.” Two Congresses ago, we had 38 votes for a bill. Last Congress, we had 54 votes for cloture out of 60 needed -- and we said then -- me, Joe, Barbara Boxer -- that this Congress we could get to 60 and pass a bill.

<snip>

So, the straight scoop on the details, the real down-in-the-weeds details:

<snip>

[FreeJG]

1. Right., and Kerry wants Florida to vote on drilling themselve.with our voting machines & weak audits