New Virginia Ad - Ken Cuccinelli's "Witch Hunt"

[greenman3610]

Climate change's maturation as a political issue has finally come - when a candidate can be slammed as a "climate denier" in a state like Virginia - I'm savoring this moment.
http://climatecrocks.com/2013/07/29/breaking-ice-suddenly-climate-change-is-politically-potent/

Complex systems are hard to change, but when they do begin to transform, those changes can come rapidly. It’s true of politics as it is of ice sheets.

I posted last week on new polling data showing young people regard climate denial as a sure sign of ignorance, stupidity, and blindness. National Journal chimes in with analysis.

http://mobile.nationaljournal.com/magazine/why-it-finally-makes-political-sense-to-talk-about-climate-change-20130725

In the summer of 2009, a dozen Democratic members of Congress took a deep breath and put their political futures on the line, voting for historic global-warming legislation President Obama had told them was a top priority. After the bill squeaked through the House, Democrats pleaded with the White House: After taking this risk, they needed Obama to go to bat for them—and the bill—with speeches, campaign appearances, constituent outreach, anything.

He didn’t. Behind the scenes, White House advisers counseled the president not to waste his political capital on climate change. It was too risky. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pulled the plug on the bill in summer 2010. That fall, Republicans went hard after House Democrats who had voted for it, causing many to lose their seats—and Democrats to lose control of the House. And on the campaign trail last year, Obama followed the advice of his staff and barely mentioned climate change, to the dismay of his environmental base.

Suddenly, that’s all changed. Now, it seems, Obama can’t stop talking about climate change. In both his Inaugural Address and the State of the Union, he spoke at length and with passion about his commitment to tackling the warming climate. Last month, in a sweeping, nearly hour-long speech, Obama presented a historic set of new climate policies, centered on Environmental Protection Agency regulations to slash coal pollution. EPA’s new administrator, Gina McCarthy, will soon set off on a high-profile road trip to tout the climate rules in speeches, public meetings, town halls, and wherever else there’s a case to be made.

[longship]

1. Sometimes I think Obama doesn't get it.

I don't know if it's his advisors, or whether it's him. He has the fucking Oval Office at his disposal, arguably the most powerful home court advantage on the planet. And he has squandered that advantage more times than I want to admit.

I enthusiastically voted for the guy twice, but I have to now confess that his may be a weak presidency. I feel that his intentions are the best, but I fear that possibly his lack of experience is showing. The Republican Party won't give an inch and are talking like crazy people. So why won't our president say, "Gee, it seems like the Republicans are talking like crazy people! As long as they do that, I reserve the right to play hardball. You want me to meet you half way? Fine! But if you refuse to do that, I have to use the power of my office to get something done. And make no mistake, we will remember who is not being helpful."

That would be a President Obama I could cheer on.

[sulphurdunn]

3. If Obama took half the walk

he talks he would be a great president, but he doesn't.

[longship]

5. I am more cautious about Obama than you and many others here.

I think he just doesn't have the experience of growing up in national politics. He's very intelligent, but comes out of academia where there is a different set of rules. One doesn't get ahead at Harvard Law School by stirring the pot.

But when one occupies the Oval Office one must play a different game, one which regrettably, Barack Obama does not seem to be inclined to play.

There is a lot of talk about Warren for 2016. I have to go on record right now that I love Elizabeth Warren but would oppose her candidacy for president in 2016. We need her in the Senate where she can actually make policy and do some good. And she doesn't have the experience in national politics which seems to be also lacking in the partial term US Senator elected President, Barack Obama.

But apparently many here don't see the parallels nor see the president's weakness.

[sulphurdunn]

6. Well reasoned argument

and sound apologia.

[MotherPetrie]

2. K&R

[sulphurdunn]

4. Why heck.

Even if he is a Papist, Ken goes after them seclar-athteist-humanust-libruls and he has accepted Jeesus as his persnul savior. Hits all ah needs ta know.