Nancy Pelosi: "I'm Not Taking Up Any Climate Change Until We Have A Democratic President"

grist.org

For House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), any action on climate change hinges on Barack Obama winning the White House this fall. Only the bully-pulpit of the presidency can hope to overcome the deep pockets of the "agents of the status quo," Pelosi said Saturday in a conversation with Grist.

Pelosi came to the Netroots gathering for an "Ask the Speaker" session, where attendees got a chance to pick her brain about what's going on in Congress. It was during this event that Al Gore made a special guest appearance.

Since Gore recently made an ambitious call to move to 100 percent renewable electricity in 10 years, Pelosi was asked in the session whether she will accept that challenge. "It is absolutely possible," Pelosi told the crowd.

After her speech, Pelosi sat down with David Roberts and me to talk about this goal, and about the politics surrounding climate and energy on the Hill.

Comments

[loki]

Gotta hand it to Pelosi. She has made a very lucrative career out of doing nothing except siding with the Neo Cons and President Bush, while hiding out under the guise of a democrat. Her career has proved just how stupid Americans are. Actually,, Bush's 2 terms have done that better, but she is a close runner up for 2nd place. She should be with Liberman giving speeches at the RNC convention this year. She has dome more to help them than she has to help us. We only get that two faced shat eatin grin of hers, and lies upon lies, followed with her famous back stab with a twist to open the wound more. She is a real piece of work, so are the people who keep re-electing her.

[NedFlanders19]

Finally Pelosi has come out and put it on the table. I'll translate since I speak Pelosi-ease.

"I'm not taking up and climate change until we have a democratic president."

Translation - Those meanies won't do what we ask, and since they know we won't press the issue, we'll have to cross our fingers and hope our guy is the leader to try and do our jobs. It's just so hard, and we don't want to have to go above and beyond the call of duty, because we secretly are placing party above country. To all who thought we'd actually do what we said - Suck It!

Reality is that both parties suck big time and all politicians are responsible for destroying this once great country. Woody Allen summed it up perfectly in regards to politicians - "You know the ethics those guys have, its like a notch below child molester."

Fortunately, the earth will have her say, because humans cannot control nature and our 15 minutes is just about up. Imagine the earth being a dog and humans having become like fleas on her. Now she's getting ready for a flea bath. Imagine how healthy the planet will be when most if not all people are gone. Let the good times roll...

[esquire07]

Right on the Mark with that comment. Save the Planet ??? What a joke... the Planet will take care of itself. Humankind will eventually destroy itself - led by the politicians and basic human greed - and the Planet will be just fine.

[JulieSA]

"For House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), any action on climate change hinges on Barack Obama winning the White House this fall."

Wow--McCain has been much more vocal on the climate change issue than Obama has, and has been excoriated by his party for it.

Pelosi says she will only try to work on this issue if a Dem is elected, implying that she won't work on this issue with McCain, if he's elected.

PROOF that Pelosi is more interested in politicizing this issue than solving it.

Gore politicized it, too. Obviously, he doesn't really care about this issue, except as a political tool.

What a bunch of frauds.

[clbalben]

Yeah! Do nothin' Pelosi cause there ain't no global wahmin' anyway. I love it.

[esquire07]

What else could we expect from "Impeachement of the Table" Pelosi ? Perhaps the most useless Democratic Speaker in the history of Congress.

Pelosi = Bush Enabler

[Mr Grey]

Sad! Why don't we just close Washington. Close the White House. Shut down Congress. Stop all federal work until next year. They are not really doing much of anything, except making things worse.

[Pquilson]

I believe "federal work" is an oxymoron, or at least a contradiction in terms. The rest of your post, Mr. Grey, I agree with.
I have heard it said that the worst thing that ever happened to this country was air conditioning. Before that, Congress only met when it was cool enough. Now they are there more, and still nothing gets done, we just spend more.

[drkazmd65]

Sadly - for once I find myself in agreement with the Speaker,...

At this stage of the game, even IF (and it is a big IF) Congress could get together some slim majority to pass legislation, that legislation would be so watered down to get it passed as to be essentially ineffective.

And even then - Bush would likely veto it.

We are in a holding pattern regarding environmental legislation until early next year I fear.

[avraamjack]

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Obama / Pelosi 08 ?

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[Lex10]

Well, Huffpo has gotten my blood boiling again today about her. So, I have a question: How would one unseat an inactive, Republican pandering Jet flying (maybe that why no climate talking) agenda betraying speaker? Does congress have to decide to do it? How? I wanna know.....

[RTIII]

Yes, the House can decide at any moment to replace their speaker. Once invoked, the Speaker cannot stop the motion. However, woe to the person who initiates the change and does not succeed - the Speaker can really trash someone's committee appointments.

We cannot count on a replacement for Madame Speaker coming from an initiative from the House itself.

We CAN however, replace her in November. Please donate generously to her competition, Cindy Sheehan. Cindy has the name recognition and a great platform, and just needs the war chest competitive with Nancy's - Donate Generously at CindyForCongress.org.
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[esquire07]

Time for the plastic face "Impeachement off the Table" Pelosi to go - vote her out !!! She has betrayed her oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

[monkeymuggs]

Your right Lex10.

She's a joke anyway. Reid and Pelosi won't go anywhere near proponets of the Constitution and upholders of the law. And to watch all of it go by and not do anything, not just environmental issues either.

[thefringecenter]

There you have it. Climate change and impeachment are off the table. Pelosi has made a history. Let us all applaud. Now can we please have a Speaker of the House.

[JackND]

What are you talking about?

Polarizing, hot button issues are almost always tabled during election years because they can be used against one or the other of the candidates...this is no different and nothing new.

[RTIII]

And, we can likely get a LOT tougher standards in place and a more aggressive plan to address problems when the congress is more strongly D and the presidency too.
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[OhComeOnNow]

"I'm not taking up any changes." Period.

[bobdob]

Nancy Pelosi: "I'm Not Doing Anything Until The Coast Is Clear"

I got a big laugh out of Pelosi calling Bush a total failure the other day. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black...

[NC4Obama]

Well not much she can do until next year since Bush has already said he will veto anything and they wont get enough republicans to vote for it to override the veto. Not to mention they will be able to get a much stronger environmental bill once a democratic is in office.

[elbzee]

Fabulous. Impeachment off the table and climate change just has to wait. Wow. Now, there's amazing representation, huh??? I want a new damned speaker! *Pppfffffft­tttttttttt­ttpppppppp*

[RTIII]

Put that sentiment into ACTION! HELP IT HAPPEN!

You can help by donating generously to Cindy Sheehan's campaign to replace Nancy in November. CindyForCongress.org
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[SEQUOIABISON]

She has her priorities exactly right. Nothing is more important than getting a democratic president elected and supported by a democratic congress.

She has struggled with the frustrations of having a warmongering republican president and an inability to override his veto.

[LarBear]

SEQUOIABISON.... QUOTE: "Nothing is more important than getting a democratic president elected and supported by a democratic congress."

Then you personally are speaking out to Obama supporters who continue to bash the Clinton's and Clinton supporters? Those Obama supporters who say WE don't need those 18 million Democrats money/votes/time who supported Hillary... Warning though... When I have commented on it, I have been called a Repuke, told to pout on the sidelines, even called a Mc Sane supporter, etc...
Nearly 1/2 of Democrats wanted Hillary... ( Note: I personally wanted Hillary the Washington Insider/ Fighter, faults and all, not slick talking Obama... The two Corrupt Branches of the Dominant Political party will still be intact... The very ones Obama has already caved to... That's why I personally wanted an Insider/ Fighter, not a "Change" talking person, for me to unwisely project my Hope onto... To me Obama's words do NOT match his behavior... ) *shrugs* My choice did not make it...
Having said that, why would I be advising people to stop insulting 1/2 of the Democrat base, if you want your pick to win... From the replies, it's like shining a light and it's going into a Black Hole...

[HallStyle]

This is the right decesion on this issue. I honestly believe that she shouldn't send any bill to the Senate or the President.

They WANT ACT. THE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE WANT ACT, THE PRESIDENT WANT ACT.