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I bough the pass so I could see the whole thing - and Kerry was very very good.
Here is my summary:
Kerry was first given a chance to give some preliminary comments.
He said that there is more going on than there has been in any time he was in public life - and it was challenging - and likely to get more so. He then spoke of how even though so much is being done, they are still side stepping some of the biggest challenges. Then he listed what had been done - the stimulus and the bailout of the banks; healthcare; and financial reform - with smaller things like education and Lily Ledbetter.
But, on some things we are not keeping up with the rest of the world. Our biggest challenge is our economic future. We need to decide what the US will produce. That we need to figure out how to raise the standard of living of our workers. Need new jobs with higher value added to justify higher wages. We need to step up to the challenge - because India, Brazil and China are growing in both economic power and population. Canada, the US, and Europe aren't.
He then spoke of the American Power Act(APC) being the single biggest economic transformation opportunity to get a footing in the biggest market. He spoke of the technology market of the 1990s being a $ 1 trillion market with 1 billion users. Energy is a $6 trillion market with 6 trillion users. "the mother of all markets" China, Brazil, Mexico, and Germany are moving faster to exploit it. Alternative energy products now top German industry. China is a leader in solar and wind technologies - though much was invented her. (He spoke of A123 having to go to China to manufacture, because there was no investment money here. They are coming back to build in Detroit.
This is best opportunity to recalibrate the economy - quoted Peterson study (that Prosense posted) that the APA projected to create 200,000 jobs @ year for 10 years. It is also projected to cut by 40 - 50% the oil from foreign countries. (funding both sides of the war)
He asked that they not be intimidated by those that call everything a tax. This is an opportunity to strengthen national security, economic security and reduce pollution, which makes for healthier lives.
Only 2% of businesses are covered, but they account for 75% of the pollution and agriculture is not covered. Utilities covered in 2013 and heavy industry in 2016. He spoke of the unprecedented coalition behind this. Spoke of how putting a cost on carbon would help things like a solar heater by Honeywell that does not sell in teh US, but does in China nad India. McKinsey study spoke of the first 15 years being essentially free, because there are so many things that cut carbon and lead to chaper costs oaying for themselves.
Questions:
1)Impact on the Gulf (this was the free preview - and Kerry's only gaffe in this incredible 50 minutes - "2 states" = Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico - clearly meant two places.
He went on to make the case that APA gives states more power than they have now. They can reject projects off their shores or off the shores of a neighboring state if the EPA report says they can be harmed. Now, the President can open drilling anywhere 3 miles or more off shore with no state approval.
He spoke of other features of the bill - like the grid system which will allow energy from wind power produced in ND to be used elsewhere.
2) Asked about Graham moving to wanting just smaller bills from the APA. Kerry answered pretty aggressively that Graham had said that it would be "half assed" to have a bill without pricing carbon - something Kerry said was essential. He then said that he was not going to "negotiate with himself" on this before it was in Congress.
3) Asked if he was disappointed in Obama's support _ he defended Obama and said Obama supports it and spoke of Axelrod speaking in support of it. Said Obama spoke of it to the Republican conference and that he spoke to Reid. Kerry said the issue would be brought up in the caucus when they returned from Memorial Day and there would be a meeting with Reid and the 6 chairs involved.
Kerry then himself shifted to defending Obama against the attacks that he did not act. (lots of the BG article) Spoke of Stephen Chu pulling together many brilliant people to work on solutions. He spoke of the 8 year cozy relationship with gOv't and the energy companies - which is changing. Spoke of the split proposed in MMS. Agreed that the companies had an inadequate failsafe, level of preparation to deal with this - and that had to be improved. Spoke of having been consistently against off shore drilling in the past - at least in Massachusetts, but we are stuck with this untine we have new technology.
4) Asked if he thought it could pass this year - spoke of the year being really just June, July, Sept and October and there were lots of things that needed to be done including the budget. Again stressed it was the best thing to do for the economy, cleaner air and national security.
5) N Korea. - rouge state, follows no rules, imprisoned own people and it has thumbed its nose at the world. China is reluctant on sanctions which he thinks are needed - he does not think war likely.
6) Russia - Spoke of how Russia is in a different position than in the Bush years - then they were oil rich and now they have economic problems and see the need of connections with Europe. Spoke of a convergence of interests (the basis for good working relations)
7) Process on creating the bill. Interesting little comments that rather than immediately going to colleagues and having them tell them of the interests that hold them back (ex Kohl and coal), they went to work with the stakeholder interests. This has allowed them to get further. Said that some of these interests were themselves lobbying the Senate.
Mentioned the alternative is that the EPA can order changes, but they do not have the ability to have funds that cushion the transitions.
8) Susan Page asked about the Brown election asking Kerry if he ever saw this much anger in the electorate. Kerry said that the 1960s were angrier and that in 1974 there was anger over Watergate. Said that the current anger was less focused. He spoke of it being rooted in unemployment, reduced incomes, insecurity and fears over things like illegal immigration and things unravelling. He spoke of how they rail agaisnt government but want their social security and medicare and want the government to fix the spill in the Gulf.
Spoke of how the Obama administration has really responded remarkably even before he took office. We were on verge of another great depression - that we started to respond to under Bush and Paulson. There were 750,000 jobs lost the month that Obama took office and now we are gaining 200,000 - but jobs are not back to where they were, incomes have gone down. Mentioned again that APA should be the next stimulus act. Kerry said the Democrats had to do a better job selling what they did.
9) Asked about the National security strategy - has not seen the final copy.
Spoke of the criticality of doing something in the Middle east. This is the end of the window for the two state solution. he spoke of Syria having a huge number of kids reaching 18 each year with no jobs. spoke of the frustration level growing. Said that Hairi of Lebanon said that he was likely not to be in power in 5 years if there was no peace.
10) Asked if a government group would be created with the task of handling oil spills. Kerry didn't think that was a way Congress would go. Spoke of this being the job of the people drilling the wells. Spoke of more oversight and rules. (sub question on did he think it would stop leaking - mentioned that the relief well - which was a 90 day project would make many other things possible - but much damage in the meanwhile.
11) Last question was from MATT - very likely Matt Viser. Very young, dark curlyish hair, slender, nervous energy (seen from behind) Question was about the dynamics of the bill given the dynamics of the elections. Kerry said a month is a life time in politics - 5 months is 5 lifetimes - said he has seen the dire predictions. Said that some might have an ostrich strategy on this and that's their choice. Kerry spoke of the fact that it is still imperative to pass this bill. Spoke of meeting with sportsmen recently- mostly Republicans and Independents - concerned that the habitat is changing and this impacts their hunting. Said that they said that they want this bill passed. Spoke of people killing each other in the Sudan over wells. Said there might be 200,000 climate refugees. Said they might not get enough Senators out of This "election fear factory" this year - but it is not going away.
(Just a guess, Matt can relate better with a guy who says that painting his office is a highlight and tells little stories which go nowhere about how he is bonding with everyone than to a man who can intelligently speak on any issue without notes. Not once did he say that he needs a study it more to get a position.)
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