U.N. climate talks deadlocked Wednesday, two days before global leaders hoped to sign an agreement. Police confronted protesters outside the Copenhagen conference venue with pepper spray and batons.
** COPENHAGEN BLUES: OBAMA’S WEAK HAND ON CLIMATE, AND THE CALIFORNIA OPTION. As he prepares to go to Copenhagen for the deeply troubled UN climate change summit, President Barack Obama does so with a weak hand. He has no enacted legislation to brandish, no binding agreements on big greenhouse gas cuts with some of the biggest polluters, and no big financing for the developing world of poorer nations.
Aside from that, it’s really great.
Obama has cobbled together some impressive looking cards. But starting from the zero point that was bequeathed him by the Bush/Cheney Administration, and with far less congressional support than many imagine, he’s nowhere near ready to sign a new Copenhagen Protocol, were one to emerge, which it will not. …
** OVER 60% WANT TO KEEP GITMO OPEN. When some activists criticize the Obama Administration for not having yet closed the infamous prison at Guantanamo Bay, they should look at public opinion in this nation. It’s overwhelmingly against closing Gitmo.
As I’ve said before, torture is a lot more popular than many would like to think.
According to a new Gallup Poll … Americans remain opposed to closing the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba and moving some of the terrorist suspects being held there to U.S. prisons: 30% favor such actions, while 64% do not. These attitudes could present a significant roadblock for President Obama at a time when he seeks congressional approval to move terrorist suspects from Guantanamo to a converted state prison in northwestern Illinois. …
At the end of May, it was 65-32 opposed.
President Obama signed an executive order after his inauguration that called for the closing of Guantanamo, and he recently reiterated his commitment to doing this in his West Point speech on Afghanistan. The plans announced this week represent the first concrete effort to follow through on his promise, but occur in the context of continuing opposition from the American public. About two-thirds of Americans in the Nov. 20-22 poll oppose such a move, virtually the same as measured last May.
An additional political challenge for Obama is the fact that he lacks strong support among rank-and-file Democrats as well. Half of Democrats agree that the Guantanamo Bay prison should be closed and some prisoners moved to the U.S., while 45% disagree. Twenty-eight percent of independents favor the prison closure. These partisan breaks are similar to what Gallup found in May.
Only 8% of Republicans favor Obama’s policy.
The regional breakdowns are the same across the country, with the West as opposed as the South.
** NANCY PELOSI RUNNER-UP FOR TIME’S PERSON OF THE YEAR. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is one of a few runners-up for Time magazine’s annual “Person of the Year.” Who’s the “Person of the Year?” Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke. Hmm …
Excerpt: “It can be foolish — maybe even dangerous — to underestimate Nancy Pelosi. A former stay-at-home mom of five who didn’t run for public office until she was almost 47, Pelosi holds the highest post ever attained by any woman in U.S. history, and stands second in line of succession to the presidency. She has consolidated more power than any other Speaker in modern history, scholars of the office believe. In the first year of the Obama presidency, she has used that power — and an 81-seat Democratic majority, the largest either party has enjoyed in the House in 14 years — to pass every item on his agenda: health care, energy, regulatory reform, education, pay equity. While most of the outside world’s attention has centered on the intrigue and machinations of the Senate, where bills get snarled in procedure and the 60-vote hurdle to overcome filibusters, “the amount of things the House has done this year has been mind-boggling,” says White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer.”
This is a good profile. But, typically of the East Coast “national” media, it doesn’t explain how she came to be a big player in California politics, which is what enabled her to be the dying Phil Burton’s choice to succeed him in Congress.
Pelosi, who I first met at a party at her home 30 years ago — she was a charming beauty who skillfully stage managed five kids and a doting husband while being the life of her own party — is the daughter and sister of Baltimore mayors. When Jerry Brown decided to run a late-breaking campaign for president in 1976, he had no national organization. But he knew Nancy Pelosi, then a socialite housewife in San Francisco. He made her his Maryland political director. And there, in his first presidential primary, he blitzed Jimmy Carter. Though Brown entered too late to stop Carter, who went on to win the presidency, he ended as the runner-up for the Democratic presidential nomination.
As a reward, Brown made Pelosi Northern California chair of the Democratic Party. In the order of things in those days, she became state Democratic chair when the party leadership rotated back from Southern California. And she was off and running.
After meeting with Senate leaders yesterday, President Barack Obama says he is confident that Congress is on the verge of passing significant health insurance reform legislation.
** OBAMA TODAY. President Barack Obama is in Washington today.
Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have received the daily intelligence and economic briefings in the Oval Office.
At 8:45 AM Pacific, Obama meets with Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams in the Oval Office.
At 9:10 AM Pacific, Obama meets with Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum in the Oval Office.
At 12:05 PM Pacific, Obama meets with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in the Oval Office.
At 2:15 PM Pacific, Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host a Hanukkah reception on the State Floor.
Obama is prepping for the troubled UN climate summit in Copenhagen. He’s there at the end of the week.
He is also monitoring several geopolitical crises.
In Afghanistan, an assassination attempt was made yesterday on the brother of the best commander in the fight against the Soviets, who himself was assassinated by Al Qaeda two days before 9/11. The country’s former vice president survived the attack, though some of his bodyguards did not.
The Iranian nuclear crisis continues percolating. The House yesterday passed a bill by Los Angeles Congressman Howard Berman to impose new sanctions on Iran and on companies which aid the regime with refined petroleum products. Iran lacks the refining capacity to provide gasoline to at least a third of its people.
The vote was 412 to 12.
Iran today conducted what it called a successful test of a solid fuel missile with a range of 1200 miles. That brings Israel easily into range, as well as some of southern Europe.
Recycling is a big business in China, but it’s still not keeping pace with the country’s growing waste production. Experts say the rubbish problem means increased greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
** FROM THE ARNOLD FILE. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is in Copenhagen for the UN climate summit today.
He is holding a variety of private talks today.
He also appeared on panels at the UN climate summit. The time in Copenhagen is nine hours later than the time in California.
Schwarzenegger addressed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change yesterday in Copenhagen. The speech can be viewed here on NWN in yesterday’s edition below.
Schwarzenegger received an award last night night in Copenhagen from the international Climate Group as the world’s top state or provincial level official on climate change. Earlier in the day, he ripped Sarah Palin on the issue in an interview with London’s Financial Times.
Schwarzenegger is pushing for a UN subnational summit in California next year. It would take place prior to the likely follow-on to Copenhagen — the talks this week aren’t likely to result in a new Copenhagen Protocol to follow the Kyoto Protocol — which will probably be in Mexico City.
** OBAMA’S LINCOLNESQUE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE. Who expected, two months ago when the surprise award was announced, that President Barack Obama, in accepting his Nobel Peace Prize, would deliver a speech that in many respects is about the ethics of war?
Obama has surprised many with his escalations in Afghanistan, and in winning the Nobel Peace Prize. I was surprised by his winning the Nobel. It’s undeserved, as I wrote here on the Huffington Post right after it happened two months ago.
But Obama’s emergence as more the liberal warrior than the reflexive dove surprises me not in the least, for I was paying close attention to what the president said and wrote before and during his campaign. … From my December 11th column.
** HOW JERRY BROWN CLEARED THE DEMOCRATIC FIELD FOR GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA. How did former Governor-turned-Attorney General Jerry Brown clear the Democratic field for governor of California over half a year before next year’s primary election? Without even announcing his candidacy for governor? Let’s count the ways as we set the stage for one of the biggest races in America next year.
Most California political experts did not expect this result. The state’s much diminished press corps anticipated a big primary fight. Nor was Jerry Brown expected to be the easy winner. In fact, a site run by well-known state Democratic consultants put up an online poll in early 2007 to gauge early insider support for possible candidates. And, amusingly, neglected to include Brown. Despite the fact that the two-term former governor, two-time Democratic presidential runner-up, and two-time mayor of rugged Oakland had just won the biggest victory of any contested statewide race. Bigger even than Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s landslide 17-point romp over his Democratic challenger.
Even after the main rivals to Brown dropped out, some kept pushing ever more unlikely prospects forward. Only to see them vanish like a desert mirage. Nevertheless, some amongst the thinned ranks of California reporters and bloggers still imagine that Brown and his capable and witty wife Anne Gust Brown are simply winging it. This view is, let’s say, not entirely accurate.
The last major candidate to withdraw was San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, as I broke on my NewWestNotes.com on October 30th. Before explaining the sudden end of his heavily-hyped candidacy, let’s go through the others. All the others, I should say. … From my December 9th column.
** BARACK OBAMA’S WAR: 10 KEY THINGS TO KNOW. … From my December 4th column.
** NORTH BY NORTHWEST‘S 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION: ENDURING APPEAL AND THE MAD MEN FACTOR. … From my December 2nd essay.
** HEADS SHOULD ROLL OVER OBAMA STATE DINNER SECURITY BREACH. … From my November 27th column.
** TONY BLAIR’S CAUTIONARY TALE FOR OBAMA. … From my November 24th column.
** MAD MEN: THREE SEASONS ON AND LOOKING FORWARD. … From my November 21st essay.
** THE INEVITABLE FLUKE THAT IS SARAH PALIN. … From my November 17th column.
** OBAMA IN FLUX. … From my November 13th column.
** OBAMA: RIDING WITH HISTORY. (NOTE: As Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, this column was the featured column on the top of the front page of the Huffington Post.) … From my January 19th Huffington Post column.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM RUSSIA TODAY. Russia has re-emerged as one of the world’s great powers. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer, bringing you English-language, jargon-free, fast-paced coverage of global and Russian news from the Russia Today channel. You probably already know about CNN International, BBC World, and Al Jazeera. Russia Today, which also features culture, entertainment, and sports, is based in Moscow and is owned and operated by the TV Novosti division of Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti. While it’s quite foolish to expect to see, say, criticism of Vladimir Putin on Russia Today, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. With U.S. cable news chattering away as it does, this sort of respite can be informative. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM AL JAZEERA. With the US entangled in two wars in the region, it’s valuable to keep up with news and perspectives from the leading Middle Eastern-based TV news network. Based in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar, Al Jazeera is very influential and more than a bit controversial. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer. The NWN live link to AJ does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** SCHWARZENEGGER’S CALIFORNIA. Here is my series of five columns on the governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger for the Los Angeles Times in debate last fall, prior to the global economic meltdown, with Pulitzer Prize-winning former Times reporter/editor Bill Boyarsky, whose columns are also included. Among them is what I’m sure is the first piece examining Schwarzenegger’s legacy as governor of California. Since he will actually be governor of California until 2011. No technology known to be disruptive to the space/time continuum was used in its preparation. You can listen to my recent video webchat with Schwarzenegger here.
** TRACK GLOBAL AND NATIONAL ENERGY PRICES IN NEAR REAL TIME VIA BLOOMBERG ENERGY MARKET WATCH. Having crashed over $147 for yet another record on July 11th, 2008, crude oil is trading around $72 per barrel.
This is near a two-month low, occasioned by high inventories and a strengthening dollar.
This is up about $38 from the low of $34 per barrel prior to enactment of the Obama economic recovery program, reflecting a low point in global economic activity.
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| Comments (44) |
The President looks good in the video with Senate leaders.
China isn’t on board is it?
Barack got something out of China but there’s a long ways to go.
He is getting health care done.
Jonas Blane says:
December 16, 2009 at 7:53 am
The President looks good in the video with Senate leaders.
That’s pretty cool!
… Schwarzenegger is pushing for a UN subnational summit in California next year. It would take place prior to the likely follow-on to Copenhagen — the talks this week aren’t likely to result in a new Copenhagen Protocol to follow the Kyoto Protocol — which will probably be in Mexico City.
I am in near despair about the climate summit.
Will there be no good news?
Those Iranians are pretty pesty.
They are at that.
We’ll see. Negotiations on occasion stall before resolving.
> lorena says:
December 16, 2009 at 9:36 am (Edit)
I am in near despair about the climate summit.
Will there be no good news?
Yes, Arnold will be Secretary-General of the US, the United Subnations …
> Capitol Boy says:
December 16, 2009 at 9:04 am (Edit)
That’s pretty cool!
… Schwarzenegger is pushing for a UN subnational summit in California next year. It would take place prior to the likely follow-on to Copenhagen — the talks this week aren’t likely to result in a new Copenhagen Protocol to follow the Kyoto Protocol — which will probably be in Mexico City.
It isn’t pretty, but it’s happening.
> Capitol Boy says:
December 16, 2009 at 9:00 am (Edit)
He is getting health care done.
Jonas Blane says:
December 16, 2009 at 7:53 am
The President looks good in the video with Senate leaders.
To say the least …
>#
Jonas Blane says:
December 16, 2009 at 7:57 am (Edit)
China isn’t on board is it?
#
Capitol Boy says:
December 16, 2009 at 8:59 am (Edit)
Barack got something out of China but there’s a long ways to go.
Additional video today?
Nice bit on Pelosi.
JB invented Nancy Pelosi’s career. Cool!
NPR characterized Lieberman as exhibiting “toddler-like behavior”.
Seems a bit unkind to toddlers…
Great news video from Copenhagen.
Public opinion can often times be dangerously ill-informed and therefore easily persuaded by spurious arguments.
The closing of Gitmo and the use of torture are classic cases on point. I wonder how the majority of those responding to polls like this would explain that keeping Gitmo open and the use of torture as condoned and justifed by their government would keep them safer. I’d love to debate that with them!
So, it’s the chairman of the Federal Reserve who walks away with the Man of the Year honours. Hmmm, indeed.
At least it wasn’t President Obama. I mean, seriously, how many accolades can one man possibly bear.
Still … it could quite easily have been a shared honour with the treasury secretary but, alas, Geithner’s praise is obviously being saved for another lifetime.
I doubt anyone but the two polar wings of both parties have GITMO at the top of their cares/wants/desires. I would guess that most Americans experience overwhelming ambivalence to the issue when stacked against the economy, jobs, health care, retirement, rising college costs, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation, global warming, water and air quality, crumbling infrastructure and having to take off your shoes at the airport.
That’s just a guess…
OOH denying reality.
I don’t like it, either. However, facts are facts. The fact is people are very anti-terrorist. They don’t want terrorists around. They don’t care what happens to them.
What debate, Elizabeth? That’s what they think, by 2 to 1.
Elizabeth Miller says:
December 16, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Public opinion can often times be dangerously ill-informed and therefore easily persuaded by spurious arguments.
The closing of Gitmo and the use of torture are classic cases on point. I wonder how the majority of those responding to polls like this would explain that keeping Gitmo open and the use of torture as condoned and justifed by their government would keep them safer. I’d love to debate that with them!
Like a ton of toddlers, he gets his way, doesn’t he?
Brasky says:
December 16, 2009 at 12:21 pm
NPR characterized Lieberman as exhibiting “toddler-like behavior”.
Seems a bit unkind to toddlers…
China doesn’t give a shit.
Jonas Blane says:
December 16, 2009 at 7:57 am
China isn’t on board is it?
Capitol Boy says:
December 16, 2009 at 8:59 am
Barack got something out of China but there’s a long ways to go.
Is Jerry Brown going to Copenhagen?
** COPENHAGEN BLUES: OBAMA’S WEAK HAND ON CLIMATE, AND THE CALIFORNIA OPTION.
I wish it were different, yet I have friends who want the terrorists real or not to suffer. The poll does not surprise here.
I appreciate your article on Copenhagen, Bill. It’s still distressing. Thank the Lord we passed AB 32 in California.
Indeed.
No, he’s not.
> Capitol Boy says:
December 16, 2009 at 3:59 pm (Edit)
Is Jerry Brown going to Copenhagen?
** COPENHAGEN BLUES: OBAMA’S WEAK HAND ON CLIMATE, AND THE CALIFORNIA OPTION.
He’s a very effective baby …
> Jack Aubrey says:
December 16, 2009 at 3:11 pm (Edit)
Like a ton of toddlers, he gets his way, doesn’t he?
Brasky says:
December 16, 2009 at 12:21 pm
NPR characterized Lieberman as exhibiting “toddler-like behavior”.
Seems a bit unkind to toddlers…
Probably not at the top, and not at the bottom, either.
There’s a reason the Senate is opposed.
> Brasky says:
December 16, 2009 at 1:56 pm (Edit)
I doubt anyone but the two polar wings of both parties have GITMO at the top of their cares/wants/desires. I would guess that most Americans experience overwhelming ambivalence to the issue when stacked against the economy, jobs, health care, retirement, rising college costs, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation, global warming, water and air quality, crumbling infrastructure and having to take off your shoes at the airport.
That’s just a guess…
Ah, yes, Geithner as Person of the Year. Not ever happening …
> Elizabeth Miller says:
December 16, 2009 at 1:35 pm (Edit)
So, it’s the chairman of the Federal Reserve who walks away with the Man of the Year honours. Hmmm, indeed.
At least it wasn’t President Obama. I mean, seriously, how many accolades can one man possibly bear.
Still … it could quite easily have been a shared honour with the treasury secretary but, alas, Geithner’s praise is obviously being saved for another lifetime.
I can assure you they think the same of you.
One doesn’t ignore this sort of opinion.
> Elizabeth Miller says:
December 16, 2009 at 1:28 pm (Edit)
Public opinion can often times be dangerously ill-informed and therefore easily persuaded by spurious arguments.
The closing of Gitmo and the use of torture are classic cases on point. I wonder how the majority of those responding to polls like this would explain that keeping Gitmo open and the use of torture as condoned and justifed by their government would keep them safer. I’d love to debate that with them!
Well, not exactly …
> Capitol Boy says:
December 16, 2009 at 12:19 pm (Edit)
JB invented Nancy Pelosi’s career. Cool!
Thanks. The perspective is key.
> Brasky says:
December 16, 2009 at 12:19 pm (Edit)
Nice bit on Pelosi.
Oh, I’m well aware of that…on both counts.
Bill Bradley says:
December 16, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I can assure you they think the same of you.
One doesn’t ignore this sort of opinion.
The debate where it is resolved, through the use of rational arguments, that keeping Gitmo open and condoning/justifying the use of torture keeps us more safe.
I would come down on the other side. And, frankly, I like my chances.
Jack Aubrey says:
December 16, 2009 at 3:11 pm
What debate, Elizabeth? That’s what they think, by 2 to 1.
I am saddened to read the excellent essay on the Copenhagen Conference.
What new video today?
Hillary in Copenhagen, and Avatar.
That’s good.
> Elizabeth Miller says:
December 16, 2009 at 9:04 pm (Edit)
Oh, I’m well aware of that…on both counts.
Bill Bradley says:
December 16, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I can assure you they think the same of you.
One doesn’t ignore this sort of opinion.
Yeah, in civics class.
Elizabeth Miller says:
December 16, 2009 at 9:09 pm
The debate where it is resolved, through the use of rational arguments, that keeping Gitmo open and condoning/justifying the use of torture keeps us more safe.
I would come down on the other side. And, frankly, I like my chances.
Jack Aubrey says:
December 16, 2009 at 3:11 pm
What debate, Elizabeth? That’s what they think, by 2 to 1.
Great site, exactly what I was looking for, I can’t get your RSS feed to work right in google chrome though, is it on my end?