Grist on Obama's new energy plan: "Obama has put himself out ahead of all the other frontrunners"

[maximusveritas]

Here's a sampling of the analysis from David Roberts of Grist on the energy plan released by Obama today:

Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised -- even shocked -- at its quality. It's a deft mix of good politics and strong, substantive policy. Here are what I see as the three headlines:

* 100% auction of cap-and-trade credits. This is a home run, a real act of standard-setting boldness (the kind that Obama always promises but rarely delivers). The green community should immediately use it to push Clinton and Edwards into making the same commitment, insuring that it's the new baseline for any cap-and-trade program.
* Smart investment. The revenue from auctions will be considerable, up to $50 billion a year, and Obama's smart about putting it to work, dividing it between energy R&D, protections for low-income workers, and market deployment of existing clean tech.
* A focus on efficiency. Clearly Obama gets that efficiency is the easiest route to emission reductions, and he's got a set of thoughtful, detailed initiatives to make it work.
...
Much has been said about Edwards' important role in this campaign: pushing the other candidates toward stronger, more ambitious policy. You can see it at work here -- in several respects Obama's energy proposal echoes Edwards'.

However, with his promise to auction 100% of cap-and-trade credits, Obama has put himself out ahead of all the other frontrunners. He deserves the praise he'll get for it.

You can read the full analysis here:
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/10/8/13403/3579
And here's the full text of Obama's speech:
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/10/8/122051/195

[wyldwolf]

1. DLC policies often get that reaction

[maximusveritas]

2. That doesn't make sense

Are you saying Obama's plan is like a DLC policy?
Or are you saying that Hillary's policies also get praise from Grist?
I don't think either interpretation is true.

[BeyondGeography]

3. He's saying he doesn't like good press for Obama

[wyldwolf]

5. I'm saying a major portion of his plan is straight from the DLC's playbook

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/10/obama_energy_policy.html

---------------

DLC links:

http://www.ppionline.org/ndol/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=110&subid=900115&contentid=254448
http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=131&subid=207&contentid=3859
http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ci.cfm?knlgAreaID=126&subsecID=900096&contentID=254443
http://www.newdemsonline.com/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=131&subid=207&contentid=250326

Now, please don't try to spin this and say it's not the same.

This isn't the first time Obama has borrowed ideas from Clinton/DLC.

[maximusveritas]

10. I like how you pre-emptively tell us not to "spin"

As the analysis I linked to makes clear, Obama's plan isn't just the ordinary cap-and-trade programs proposed by the DLC. Instead, "it's the new baseline for any cap-and-trade program." The difference is in the details. And it's clear Obama's plan goes much further than the DLC and probably Hillary are willing to go.

[wyldwolf]

12. You made no association to "ordinary cap-and-trade programs proposed by the DLC."

In fact, you were unaware of the DLC's position on this until I pointed it out.

[maximusveritas]

20. I was unaware that anyone would have the gall to actually make that comparison

solely on the grounds that they were both cap-and-trade programs. It's almost like calling Kucinich's Iraq withdrawal proposal a DLC proposal just because they both advocate a "withdrawal". Uh oh, I think I gave you an idea for another post. I better stop here.

[sandnsea]

8. If two words match in their policy platforms

then the Hillary people say they're the same. A take-off on triangulating the right wing. In simpler terms, they lie.

[wyldwolf]

11. which two words are those?

[wndycty]

4. I have never ever been an anti-DLC DUer, but your desire to tie Barack to the DLC. . .

. . .ignores Hillary's even stronger ties to the DLC. . .such an immature pissing match you are trying to start. . .LOL

[wyldwolf]

7. that's silly. By his policy positions, Obama ties himself to New Dem ideas AND...

...as someone pro-DLC, I have NEVER denied Hillary's connection.

[sandnsea]

9. I'll trust Grist

who says Obama's plan is superior.

The Clintons say a lot of things that sound progressive. They never measure up when they're put into practice. That's the problem with them.

[madrchsod]

14. "Obama ties himself to New Dem ideas"....?

what pray tell are "New Dem" ideas? i must have missed these talking points from the "New Dems"

[wyldwolf]

16. you know, those evil ideas the DLC proposes

Obama has a long history of adopting them and/or agreeing with them. Welfare reform, merit pay, etc.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[wyldwolf]

17. you obviously don't get paid to debunk it. How was it an attack? I AGREE with DLC ideas...

I've studied them, that's how I know this is a DLC policy.

[Mythsaje]

6. I'll K&R this...

I like to see Obama doing something right.

[Adelante]

13. Very good notice

:)

[L0oniX]

18. There's no way anyone is going to keep us from running out of oil

even if they try to steal it from Iran too.

[obamian]

19. Video of Illinois Environmental Leaders Speaking out for Obama

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1126028636/bctid1126051527

[maximusveritas]

24. Good video; hopefully, this plan will get the attention of the rest of the nation

I know people in Illinois have known about his strong environmental record for a while, but he's going to have to put in some extra effort on a national level. Today was a great first step.

[incapsulated]

21. He deserves praise for this

He has put himself ahead of the pack on the environment with this stance.

:thumbsup:

[Nedsdag]

22. But..but..but..but

Hillary is winning by 1,000 percentage points and he doesn't have a chance!

:sarcasm:

[democratsin08]

23. oddly enough

obama's plan doesnt produce 1 kilowatt of actual energy.