Obama shifting date of Copenhagen visit - signals a climate-change deal could emerge (AP)

[jefferson_dem]

AP source: Obama shifting date of Copenhagen visit
By BEN FELLER (AP) – 40 minutes ago

WASHINGTON — A White House official says President Barack Obama is changing the timing of his appearance at an international climate conference in Copenhagen because moves by India and China bolster chances for real progress.

The president was to be in Denmark briefly on Wednesday en route to Oslo for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies. The official said Obama is now scheduled to be in Copenhagen on Dec. 18 during the summit's more crucial period.

India pledged Thursday to significantly slow the growth of its carbon emissions over the next decade. China announced its own targets for cutting carbon emissions last week, a day after Obama announced the U.S. goals.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because Obama's plans were not yet public.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j_UNIFqthdwGpP1be2HmC708mqPAD9CCNVAO1

Obama Delays Trip to Copenhagen by One Week
By JEFF ZELENY

The White House said Friday that President Obama was delaying his appearance in Copenhagen at the international summit on climate change by a week so he could be there at the same time as other world leaders.

“The president believes that continued U.S. leadership can be most productive through his participation at the end of the Copenhagen conference on December 18th rather than on December 9th,” said a statement from Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary. “There are still outstanding issues that must be negotiated for an agreement to be reached, but this decision reflects the president’s commitment to doing all that he can to pursue a positive outcome.”

Mr. Obama was initially planning to visit Copenhagen on Dec. 9 as he makes his way to Oslo, Norway, where he is scheduled to accept the Noble Peace Prize on Dec. 10.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/obama-delays-trip-to-copenhagen-by-one-week/

[polichick]

1. That would be a wonderful holiday gift to the whole world! nt

[FrenchieCat]

2. Sounds like diplomacy works in ways that the Media doesn't understand.....

cause if you'd hear it from them, Obama's trip to China was for Naught...... :shrug:

[Clio the Leo]

4. And the way the WH handled the India state visit....

... "showed juvenile naivete."

[impik]

3. Gutsy man:

Going to Copenhagen during the second week of the summit is the president putting "a little more skin in the game," said MIT management professor John Sterman, an expert in modeling potential greenhouse gas pollution reductions. "The closer to the end of it that he attends, the more he's connected to whatever the outcome is."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091204/ap_on_bi_ge/obama_climate_5

[Clio the Leo]

5. Let's just hope it goes better than the LAST "end of the session" trip to Copenhagen....

... lol. I think as long as he leaves Oprah home this time, we'll be ok. (ha!)