Obama's call on energy bill fails to sway Congress

[Jeffersons Ghost]

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama's muted call for comprehensive energy legislation failed to sway a hesitant Congress on Wednesday, with hopes for approval before November elections fading fast.

In his first national address from the Oval Office, Obama said on Tuesday the Gulf of Mexico oil spill provided a chance to break the U.S. dependence on fossil fuels and find new ways to power factories, automobiles and electric utilities so they emit fewer global warming pollutants.

But he offered no specifics, and the lack of guidance frustrated some supporters and lent little urgency to an issue that has fallen down a crowded list of congressional priorities less than five months before the election.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65F56220100616

[emulatorloo]

1. He gave no "specifics" about the BP 20B fund last night. And yet now there is one.

The speech was an overview, much as all Oval Office speeches are.

Now there is a TO DO list.

I expect Obama will now go into hard core campaign mode now on the energy legislation.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

2. he better, Congress better follow his lead if they want to keep their jobs

[polichick]

4. Well, that BP deal was probably cut before the speech...

But I sure do hope the prez goes into hard core campaign mode. We have to do that too - CALL YOUR SENATORS DUers!

[emulatorloo]

7. I think they probably have their "strategery" in place for this too. But YES CALL YOUR SENATORS! n/

[Cant trust em]

3. The president saying "Do something" rarely gets congress to do it.

But what it does is brings the issue up to national importance, and then voters start getting interested.

[gateley]

5. Okay - correct me here, but I thought the House had passed some legislation

and it has been languishing in the Senate, so I assumed the legislation is THERE, just needs to be brought up for a vote?

[Skidmore]

6. I believe you are correct and it is up to us to help sway the Senate.

So let's get to work.

[FrenchieCat]

8. I think that part is up to us!

So the question is, are we up for it?
Do we really only demand change....as long as we ain't got to do shit for it?

If so, that would make us the incompentent lazy ones who are willing to let
opportunity get by us because we simply don't feel like having to act.
Is that courage? Cause I don't think so.