Lindsay Graham says it will be impossible to pass climate legislation at this time.

[beachmom]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/graham-oil-spill-immigration-make-climate-energy-legislation-impossible.php?ref=fpb

Graham: Oil Spill, Immigration Make Climate-Energy Legislation 'Impossible'

In case you thought Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) hadn't been sufficiently clear about his position on climate and energy legislation, he now has new reasons to declare it dead--at least for now.

In a new statement to reporters, Graham says that, in addition to Democrats' new push on immigration reform, the oil spill in the gulf has made passing a climate and energy bill this year "impossible."

"Some believe the oil spill has enhanced the chances energy legislation will succeed," Graham said. "I do not share their view."

...

That's not likely to please Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), who coauthored climate and energy legislation with Graham. Yesterday, Kerry claimed that Graham would ultimately rejoin the push to pass their bill.

"He's going to vote for the bill," Kerry predicted. Less than two weeks ago, Graham told me otherwise.

I gave the bill a steep battle BEFORE Graham bolted. But as soon as the immigration reform issue came up & neither Reid nor Graham backing down, I pretty much figured it was dead. Now with the oil spill, and with Graham saying what he is saying (without him as a co-sponsor, I don't see how the bill gets off the ground), I see no hope. Of course, immigration won't pass either. In fact, financial reform will be the last big thing done this year. Next year will be even a worse situation. Sigh.

I get why Kerry is going to keep fighting for this. It is, after all, his baby. But the reality is, I see no process to get this bill through the Senate. It no longer has anywhere close to the 60 votes needed (and really, it is unclear if it ever did), and of course, it still hasn't been introduced.

[Inuca]

1. Unfortunately, I agree

Not much of consequence will happen after the financial reform bill. Except the supreme court nomination, of course. And who knows how nasty and/ or long that may be...

[TayTay]

2. It is unfortunate that the news of the oil spill is fading

There is an unwarranted amount of news right now about the failed bomb plot in New York City. There is an underreporting of news on the effects of the ctastrophic oil spill in the Gulf.

Yes, the threat of terrorism is bad. BUT, this would-be bomber was caught using existing methods and is talking with law enforcement. The system worked. Yet, because this crime occured in NYC, the media capitol of the world, it is getting more press than it should be getting.

The chances of an ordinary American being impacted by this incident is low. The chances of an ordinary American being impacted by the crisis in the Gulf is significantly higher. (Jobs, price of food, price of oil, cost to the environment, etc.)

Our priorities are screwed up and it is affecting legislation.

[beachmom]

3. I can give you an example of how it is affecting the area.

A friend of mine has a condo all lined up on the Gulf side of Florida for a vacation this summer. However, she is desperately checking the NOAA website to discern whether the oil slick will be coming that way. As it is she won't get all her money back, but she has to give 60 day notice if she wants to back out. There is nothing else to do in this area but go to the beach. That was the point of the vacation.

If this oil slick comes to Florida's shores there will be hell to pay. Think of all those tourist dollars that won't be coming there on account of this. No wonder Bill Nelson is blowing a gasket. The economy in Florida is still fragile; this could plunge it back into an even deeper recession.

[Inuca]

4. OTOH - Dems vow climate push despite loss of GOP ally

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37021254/ns/politics-capitol_hill/

Kerry and Lieberman said they plan to introduce the bill on Wednesday — two weeks after they first pledged to unveil it.

"We are more encouraged today that we can secure the necessary votes to pass this legislation this year in part because the last (few) weeks have given everyone with a stake in this issue a heightened understanding that as a nation, we can no longer wait to solve this problem which threatens our economy, our security and our environment," Kerry and Lieberman said.

They cited a growing and unprecedented bipartisan coalition from the business, national security, faith and environmental communities in support of the legislation.

"We look forward to ... passing the legislation with the support of Senator Graham and other Republicans, Democrats and independents this year," they said.

I have NO IDEA what to make of all this....

[beachmom]

5. If Kerry can work a miracle, no one will celebrate more than me.

But with the information I have, I don't see the bill passing. And at this point, it's a trust but verify situation. There is no way Kerry is going to be anything less than upbeat about this -- imagine him saying in Sept. 2004 that based on polls, he was going to lose! Well, that's not how a politician can roll. The bill is not dead yet. In fact, it's not even live yet. So Kerry has no choice but to plow through, and maybe by sheer force of will, he can get it done. But I just think it is important that we prepare ourselves for disappointment, and call them as we see them.

[karynnj]

7. I agree - I doubt the chances are greater than 5%

It's incredibly sad and at least Kerry will know that he used every ounce of intelligence and political skill that he has - that it was not enough is more a reflection on other Senators. Many have been disappointments.

[karynnj]

6. Unfortunately, I agree with your assessment

The only quibble - I think that the reason Kerry keeps fighting on this goes beyond it being his baby. I am fully convinced that he completely believes everything he has said about this being the critical issue of our day - the one that could truly ruin the world that our kids and grandkids inherit. If he does believe this, how does he stop pushing it before he is completely forced to do so. It is good that this is a fight that he and Teresa both care passionately about, because it means that the person who means the most to him likely agrees that - no matter what the odds - this is a necessary fight.

In addition, an exhaustive fight by Kerry - that is obvious to all, leads great justification to the EPA acting unilaterally. No one could say that they are usurping the role Congress should play. When (hopefully not if) they start to do that, there might even with a worse Congress be a new interest in compromising on the part of Senators.

[beachmom]

9. Well, it wouldn't be his baby if he didn't believe in it so much. nt

[karynnj]

10. Absolutely true

Chair of SFRC was not the natural place to look to lead this.

[wisteria]

8. I remain opptomistic. Nothing is over till it is over! n/t