Obama: "We Can't Solve Global Warming Because I F---ing Changed Light Bulbs In My House"

While most of Newsweek's behind-the-scenes Special Election Project reporting reveals serious campaign issues on both sides, there's one funny moment when Barack Obama talks candidly about dumb debate questions:

The debates unnerved both candidates. When he was preparing for them during the Democratic primaries, Obama was recorded saying, "I don't consider this to be a good format for me, which makes me more cautious. I often find myself trapped by the questions and thinking to myself, 'You know, this is a stupid question, but let me ... answer it.' So when Brian Williams is asking me about what's a personal thing that you've done [that's green], and I say, you know, 'Well, I planted a bunch of trees.' And he says, 'I'm talking about personal.' What I'm thinking in my head is, 'Well, the truth is, Brian, we can't solve global warming because I f---ing changed light bulbs in my house. It's because of something collective'."

Read more highlights here. Read Newsweek's story here.

Comments

[sklfcats]

08:27 PM on 11/10/2008

Ya, right, Obama has class ?!

[RoaringMoose]

12:54 PM on 11/08/2008

Changing Light bulbs may not make a big difference but not changing them does.

[pmag88]

11:10 AM on 11/07/2008

http://www.easywebcalculators.com/cf.htm

incandescent light bulbs vs

http://www.easywebcalculators.com/cf.htm

Here’s an easy way to calculate how much energy is saved by switching from incandescent to fluorescent.

Take the results and multiply by billions of lights burning and it's pretty significant. Now factor in how much of the US is lit up at night which could at least be switched on and off as necessary, and the numbers really add up.

Obama is right to be wary of misleading questions that plant a false image in peoples minds. These false images are the reason that we're so far behind the curve in both energy independence and curbing pollution and global warming.

The argument now is that we can't use batteries to move 18 wheelers, therefore hybrids aren't viable. When trains changed from steam to electricity they became the first hybrid transportation. The diesel engines in trains generate the electricity needed to drive the motors which move the train. The new GM 'Volt' is basically going to use a small gasoline engine to power the electric motors which move the car. The batteries involved increase the mileage but when the battery is down the gasoline engine kicks in. Now, if you want to retrofit hybrids to use natural gas instead of gasoline or diesel, great, but to suggest that hybrid technology is not ready yet is just another argument to slow down our move away from oil and other fossil fuels.

[SouthPrairie]

12:07 AM on 11/07/2008

I love the idea of having a LEADER rather than a DECIDER!! And it thrills me to the bone to think of my president pushing back at the MSM a bit. Not in a contemptuous way--like bush. But in a "bump it up a notch you guys!!" sort of way.

:^)

[GonzoFactor]

11:58 PM on 11/06/2008

Bush cusses worse than a sailor. I'm hardly worried about Obama saying the f-word. To Bush, it's part of "good morning."

[JFM]

05:04 AM on 11/07/2008

you missed the point of this piece. it's not about obama cursing. it's about what he says after.

[GonzoFactor]

01:17 PM on 11/07/2008

I didn't miss anything. You've obviously not been reading the other posts.

[obidennvr]

10:43 PM on 11/06/2008

All the suggestions here on the comments only address the symptoms. MANMADE global warming will occur as long as MAN is still living here. STOP HAVING CHILDREN! And like it or not, all the poor should stop first, as they are the least green.

[Mannock]

11:34 PM on 11/06/2008

Hear, hear!

Having children is the ONLY way that pollution cannot be stopped. When I hear people say "I want to save the earth for my children and grandchildren", I cannot help but wonder why not just help the earth? Often discredited today, Malthus was spot on right!

[char982]

05:34 PM on 11/08/2008

The poor should stop having children first because they're the least green? I hope you're kidding... Could you please share the study that found that poor people are collectively less green? I'm sure there are a whole lot of very wealthy who also don't give a crap about taking care of our planet.

[frappe]

07:14 PM on 11/06/2008

I love Barack He's genuine. He's real. He is brilliant and eloquent, combined with a wonderful dose of common sense. He doesn't let his ego get the best of him. He's empathic and, therefore, compassionate. He has that unique ability to put himself in someone else's shoes -- which is a wonderful attribute for a world leader to have. His feet are solidly on the ground but he's a visionary who can easily see the forest above the trees. God bless you, Barack Obama.

[GAPeach99]

04:22 PM on 11/06/2008

God I love this guy! That is MY F--king President!!

[edgraham]

08:54 AM on 11/07/2008

I'd love a T-shirt with your comment on it. Maybe in a few years I could wear it.

Obama is great already.

Ed Graham

[piquet]

02:50 PM on 11/06/2008

Love it! An actual real person.

[GPMeg]

01:25 PM on 11/06/2008

LOL, Fantastic! That's exactly what I would have said-- but he has the class not to actually say it out loud ;)

[SwingVoter]

12:44 PM on 11/06/2008

This headline is quite misleading.

[SwingVoter]

12:49 PM on 11/06/2008

It appears it has been corrected. nevermind.

[SwingVoter]

12:44 PM on 11/06/2008

This headline is quiet misleading.

[MissingAmerica]

12:29 PM on 11/06/2008

Fantastic! This man is human after all! Good one, Obama!

[Mnemanth]

12:26 PM on 11/06/2008

Tell it like it is, Mr. O. As it is, here's the logic:

Auto manufacturers: You have the technology, now make the more efficient vehicle?
Energy developers: You receive huge subsidies and tax cuts, so put that money toward developing better energy?
Citizens: Get to car pooling, utilizing what mass transit we have, and park that duely F1000 highrise pickup that you like driving to the grocery store?
Nah, nope, and heck no!
No, change a light bulb- that'll fix everything up just right!

Yes, stupid. Time to quit f*ckin' around and get down to the uncomfortable business we keep putting off.
Go, Mr. O!

[mikematic]

12:19 PM on 11/06/2008

LOL...Im lovin this...