Pessimistic article in the WP on whether climate bill has a chance of passing:

[beachmom]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/01/AR2009110102593.html?nav=rss_nation/special/8

Climate bill faces long Senate odds
DEMOCRATS DEEPLY SPLIT Deal on nuclear plants offered to court Republicans

By Juliet Eilperin
Monday, November 2, 2009

The climate-change bill that has been moving slowly through the Senate will face a stark political reality when it emerges for committee debate on Tuesday: With Democrats deeply divided on the issue, unless some Republican lawmakers risk the backlash for signing on to the legislation, there is almost no hope for passage.

Like the measure adopted by the House, the legislation favors a cap-and-trade system that would issue permits for greenhouse gas emissions, gradually lower the amount of emissions allowed, and let companies buy and sell permits to meet their needs -- all without adding to the federal deficit, according to projections. But key Republicans are making their opposition clear, even as Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) has enlisted Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.) as his most visible GOP ally in gathering support for the bill.

Sen. George V. Voinovich (Ohio), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee who was initially seen as one of the few Republicans who might consider backing the majority, is helping lead the opposition.

"Why are we trying to jam down this legislation now?" he asked during a hearing last week. "Wouldn't it be smarter to take our time and do it right?"

I assume you heard about the boycott GOPers intend to launch when Sen. Boxer marks up the bill in committee.

Thing is, if you take a look at what is happening that bizarre NY-23 congressional race, the Republicans are radicalizing, and this will be most destructive on Republicans currently in Congress. And as stated in the article, lots of Dems don't want to vote for it. This is not like health care reform (and look at how hard that is!). I do not feel like the country is prepared at all to deal with this issue. And therefore, I doubt politicans will. In the article, it says Murkowski is now "skeptical" of the bill.

It just doesn't look good.

P.S. -- got the link via Grist on Twitter.

[wisteria]

1. Well, it is still being worked on with compromises. I hate to see this not get passed.

But, you have a point regarding the climate the Republican's find themselves in. But there are more than the "teabagger" types that will be casting ballots in the future. I would hate to think that all Republicans are going to be so swayed by this group of angry, misinformed, Limbaugh,Hannity,Beck, and Palin followers. The nuclear concessions bother me, but we really need to get something passed. Why is it so hard for people to recognize that climate change is real and that we need to address the issues of our dependence on foreign oil.
If it doesn't pass, at least Senator Kerry gave it his all and tried to work with the Republicans as well as hold-out Dems.
Do you know how Leiberman feels about this bill? I would be curious to know.

[beachmom]

2. Lieberman was mentioned in the WP article. He is actually a "good guy"

in this case. He is working behind the scenes on it. But McCain is being weird, saying Kerry isn't giving him the concessions he wants. But McCain used to be for this legislation. Very strange.

[Inuca]

3. What boycott? n/t

[beachmom]

4. Here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/31/AR2009103101048.html

Republicans move to delay climate bill progress

By Richard Cowan
Reuters
Saturday, October 31, 2009; 2:10 PM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - All seven Republicans on the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee plan to boycott next week's work session on a climate-change bill, an aide said on Saturday, in a move aimed at thwarting Democratic efforts to advance the controversial legislation quickly.

"Republicans will be forced not to show up" at Tuesday's work session, said Matt Dempsey, a spokesman for Republican senators on the environment panel.

Under committee rules, at least two Republicans are needed for Chairwoman Barbara Boxer to hold the work sessions that would give senators an opportunity to amend the controversial legislation and then vote to approve it in the panel, which is controlled by President Barack Obama's fellow Democrats.

But Republicans are demanding more detailed economic analysis of the bill by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency -- a task that could take more than a month -- before agreeing to participate in the work sessions that are called "mark ups."



Other word for boycott: TEMPER TANTRUM by a bunch of babies.

[Inuca]

11. Thanks

very constructive. Classy too.

[beachmom]

5. Maybe this will wake up Dixieland to the dangers of climate change:

http://www.ajc.com/news/non-native-snakes-getting-181512.html

Non-native snakes getting grip on Southeast
By Rob Pavey


The Augusta Chronicle

First it was the Burmese python. Now scientists believe as many as nine non-native snakes representing five species could become established in portions of the United States.

...

Colleagues and Dr. Willson are monitoring 10 pythons captured in south Florida, where the exotic snakes have already created a breeding population numbering in the tens of thousands. The test snakes at SREL range up to 11 feet in length, although the giant constrictors can reach 20 feet and weigh more than 200 pounds.

According to the new report, high-risk species — Burmese pythons, northern and southern African pythons, boa constrictors and yellow anacondas — all put larger portions of the U.S. mainland at risk than previously thought. Medium-risk species — reticulated python, Deschauensee's anaconda, green anaconda and Beni anaconda — constitute lesser threats.

Boa flipping constrictors??????? To be clear the pythons took hold because people got them as pets, then when they became too much of a burden, they just released them into the wild. Real brilliant. But this is directly related to climate as well:

Although the new list of potential exotic invaders includes more snakes than the Burmese python, most of them would remain confined to the warmer climates, the report said. "Based on climate alone, many of the species would be limited to the warmest areas of the United States, including parts of Florida, extreme south Texas, Hawaii, and America's tropical islands, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and other Pacific islands," the authors concluded.

The Burmese python remains one of the most adaptable of the giant constrictors, as evidenced by its ability to establish itself in south Florida, where it continues to spread. Scientists determined they can travel 40 kilometers in a month and documented a clutch of 107 eggs.

But if the climate continues to warm, see that list to expand.

[karynnj]

6. This is so depressing to hear after the unexpected optimism a few weeks ago

I knew it was cautious optimism, but it was optimism. It is ridiculous that the Republicans are refusing even to meet in the Boxer committee. That is complete obstructionism - but that's the Republicans. I'm kind of surprised by Voinivich as I thought he was not intending to run for re-election.

McCain is beyond weird - though you would think that if any 2 people could move him it would be Graham and Kerry.

[TayTay]

7. Climate change activity is moving to the states

I think that as the federal government sinks into more paralysis on this issue, that the States are really leading on taking action.

I heard a report last week on NPR on a massive die-off of trees in Montana and the response to that locally. It seems that this deeply red state has been forced to confront the evidence that change is happening and it is happening to them. The cost of dealing with the negative consequences is immense. One retired resident has to pay over $30K to get rid of dead trees that are a fire-hazard now to his land and to greater Montana, including the city of Helena.

I wonder how much of the mitigation measures needed are going to be done by executive orders, either through governors or the President. The Congress doesn't seem able to pass anything due to the stalemate over cost.

[wisteria]

8. I caught this good interview with Al Gore tonight on CBS. I thought you might be interested.

He was talking positively about the bill passing.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5500244n

[beachmom]

9. Thanks for the clip! Also, here is a diary that just hit the rec list

about the GOP hissy fit on the committee and Boxer overriding it:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/11/2/799838/-Boxer-Stands-Tall-To-Inhofes-Delay-Dodge-

[wisteria]

10. Thanks. n/t

[karynnj]

12. I had forgotten that Kerry quote

"As Sen. Kerry stated 2 years ago, "Delay is no longer just a former Republican leader; it has become a Republican way of life""


(wonder if that was David Wade or Kerry himself - whoever, it was good.)

[beachmom]

13. Alternative viewpoint on WP article:

http://theenergycollective.com/TheEnergyCollective/50892

WashPost gets climate bill politics story backwards, buries the big news: Graham and Kerry are in talks with White House “to discuss a possible compromise.”

by Joseph Romm

Read the whole post.

Oh, and I can't figure out this BG item:

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/11/senate_republic_1.html

Many Republicans deride the cap-and-trade system at the heart of the legislation's heart as a job killer and energy tax hike. And two high-profile Republicans whom Democrats had hoped would cross the aisle -- -- Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and George Voinovich of Ohio -- are now vocally opposed.

Since when is Graham opposed? Is this an error by the Globe? And it won't let me comment. I think they made a giant error here. If Graham had switched sides it would have been a big deal.

[wisteria]

14. I think it is an error. Maybe they meant McCain or Murkowski?

If it Gramm, he is quite a flip flopper.
Voinovitch is a surprise-at least for me. Maybe the Republican leadership are holding his pension and other retirement perks as hostage if he goes along with the bill.
And, the fact that Repubs are framing the cap and trade portion as an economic nightmare with job loss and taxes just proves to me they are playing politics with this and are not being serious about wanting to negotiate. We can not take out the cap and trade, it is important that it remain in the bill. It is a shame that Repubs do not consider anything other than what benefits them politically.