What Does the 2005 Energy Bill Vote Say About Obama?

It's conventional wisdom that Clinton and Obama are fairly close on policy, so the choice between them will come down to "character" and theories of change. While I think that's broadly accurate, there are some differences in their voting records, and recently Elana Schorr took a close look at them to find where the candidates had made different decisions.

One of the few matters of real consequence (other than the war) was the 2005 energy bill, a legendary porkfest -- Clinton voted against it; Obama voted for it. I've had a few people write me and request details, asking, basically, "is this a big deal?"

The answer is, that's a bit of a gut call. Personally, I don't think so.

First, some background:

• Here's an article by Amanda that describes Harry Reid's failure to maintain party unity, which led to about half the Democratic caucus voting for the bill.
• Here's a post I did at the time that looks a little more closely at why some high-profile Dems voted for the bill -- including Obama.
• Here's a press release from Obama on the bill.

The headline of the press release makes it crystal clear why Obama (and fellow Ill. Sen. Dick Durbin) voted the way they did -- ethanol subsidies and "clean coal" research money (recall that as of Dec., the feds' $1.8b FutureGen boondoggle will sited in Ill.).

So, is this a strike against Obama? In some sense, yes, obviously it was the wrong vote on a horrible bill and he bears responsibility. But this kind of provincial vote -- for the financial interests of a legislator's home state, against the broader national interest -- is not exactly rare. Any Senator that runs for president is going to have some of these votes in their record. The question is, what do they propose to do as president, and what are the chances they'll actually do it?

On that campaign trail, Obama's been a mixed bag; there have been some green gaffes. Early last year, he pushed legislation boosting liquid coal. When greens threw a fit he backed off somewhat, making clear that liquid coal is kosher only if it meets low-carbon fuel standards, but it was a less-than full-throated renunciation. In November, he pandered to the mining industry in Nevada by coming out against a crucial reform bill in the House that would have updated the notorious Mining Law of 1872. He hasn't backtracked a bit on his support for ethanol, and even used it as a cudgel against Hillary in the Iowa primary.

That said, recent panders aside, he entered the race with solid green cred and a good overall green record. The climate/energy plan he released during the campaign is top-notch. I interviewed him briefly in 2006, before he was running for president, and he struck me as having a good grasp of the long game on energy. There are signs that he really gets the huge divide between what's possible on climate change and what's needed.

But of course, all these impressions are through a glass darkly. We cannot know what's in Obama's heart, or what he would do as president. On climate change, as on so many things, he's given us both hope and reason to pause.

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Comments

[Guitarsandmore]

And if you have been watching the debates you found out that Hillary absolutely believes hands down that alternative energy is the way of the future, not nuclear, coal, or oil; and that's why she voted against Dick Cheney's energy bill in 2005. This is the one issue where she shines almost as brightly as John Edwards.

Obama is way off target on this issue.

[OSUMercutio]

Nothing against Obama. However, I did find the phrase "clean coal" absolutely hilarious. But I guess it's better than Saudi Oil

[Idytme]

Thank-you for at least one person talking about the polcies of the candidates and not the personalities.
This is such a breath of fresh air!

[cynara]

Obamas actions, or possible lack there of, as congress attempts to destroy the bill of rights (specifically the 4th ammendement) this week will let us know a little bit better if there is substance in that suit. He wants to be leader of the highest post in the land? Let's see if he, as an ex. Constitutional law professor, has the guts to stand up for the American people against ATT, or whether he will let the constitution be trampled while he begs for votes in SC.

The balls in Obama's court, if he truly wants netroots support he should get his butt back to Washington and fight telecom immunity and warrentless wiretapping NOW. If not, he's no better than Clinton.

[factanonverba]

Yes it matters because his current energy proposals different remarkably from both Clinton and Edwards. His has huge subsidies for both coal and nuclear.

And how telling that he has receive money from both the coal and nuclear industry.

The more you learn about this man the clearer it becomes he stinks.

[hopeless277]

It says that he will sell out the American public just as fast as Hillary will. We're just a bunch of suckers lined up to have our pockets picked by both parties. It's sick. It's disgusting. It's America, land of torture. Fleecing ground for the rich. See you all in the bread line.