President Barack Obama delivered this brief address on Friday at the UN climate change summit in Copenhagen.
MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK.
A short week on tap in presidential politics, and a nearly non-existent week in California politics.
This is due to Christmas, naturally — and incidentally, let me now quote Lane Pryce from the Mad Men season finale: “Very good, Happy Christmas!” — but the week will go on longer than otherwise due to the progress of national health care reform in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada is determined to pass the bill before Christmas. And if the Republicans continue their tactics of delay — which allow them to demand lengthy readings of amendments — the final vote will take place on Christmas Eve.
Not that the giddy Democrats of last night would care much. In a very unusual middle of the night session, as Ted Kennedy’s widow Vicki watched in the visitors gallery, they defeated the Republican attempt to filibuster national health care reform on a straight party-line vote of 60 to 40.
Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson gave the Democrats the 60th vote needed to avert a Republican filibuster. As expected, Nelson came on the bill Friday night after marathon negotiations, which included California’s Barbara Boxer, over his concern that public funds not be used to fund abortions and to gain more federal funding for medicaid in his state.
After the Senate passes the bill, it then goes to conference with the House, which has already passed another version, one which includes the public option for health care coverage to compete with private insurers.
As expected, its removal was the price of Senator Joe Lieberman’s support. Which provoked a firestorm of sorts on the left, though hardly one as large as the firestorm on the right about the bill as a whole.
With Speaker Nancy Pelosi shepherding things in the House, the national health care bill will almost certainly achieve final passage next month, probably before Obama’s State of the Union address. There are differences between the two bills, with the House version having a public option yet stronger limits on abortion.
Is this a win for Obama? Of course. Though it does not include a public option, it does include many other things long sought by health care reform advocates.
How big a win is not yet clear.
The bill is not popular now, mainly due to the snowstorm surrounding it and the inherent complication of health care policy. Frankly, voters don’t understand the bill, and never have understood the interplay of health care issues beyond the sheerest generalities, which is why I’ve never liked the health care issue from a political standpoint. Once passed, it will be up to Obama to define the bill again. Which I gather he will do.
The dust starts settling from the deeply troubled UN climate conference this week. Generally, it went as I expected. However, Obama improvised to salvage a little something from the big nothing it was for most of its duration.
Obama returned late Friday night from Copenhagen, where he cobbled together a Copenhagen Accord of sorts. It’s a non-binding agreement that he worked out with the leaders of China, India, Brazil, and South Africa.
The UN climate conference Saturday, going into overtime over the weekend, accepted the accord, without actually adopting it.
Which is to say that, on a voice vote gaveled by the conference chair, the conference voted to “take note” of the accord. Nations are free to sign individually.
Which is more than a bit underwhelming, to say the least.
All this happened after Obama, upon arriving Friday in Copenhagen, scrapped most of his schedule to plunge into crisis talks with a wide variety of world leaders, including two long meetings with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Obama, staying nine hours longer than planned, had to press hard to salvage something from the deeply troubled UN climate summit. The accord is described in the NWN Weekend Edition.
Clearly, there is far more to do. Another UN climate summit is slated for December 2010 in Mexico City.
There may also be a UN summit of subnational governments prior to that in Los Angeles.
See my Wednesday piece linked below on what’s happening, what’s not happening, and why, and where it can go from here.
Landmark health care legislation backed by President Barack Obama passed its sternest Senate test late last night, overcoming a Republican filibuster on a 60-40 vote that all but assures its passage by Christmas.
** OBAMA TODAY. President Barack Obama is in Washington today.
Obama has received his daily intelligence briefing and met with the National Economic Council in the Oval Office.
He has also honored SAVE Award winner Nancy Fichtner, who found a new way to save money for the federal government, and delivered remarks on making government more efficient in the Diplomatic Reception Room.
At 9 AM Pacific, Obama meets with senior advisors in the Oval Office.
At 1:30 PM Pacific, Obama meets with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office. Their topics? The Iranian crisis, Israel, and Pakistan.
In other action, Vice President Biden hosts a conference call with mayors from across the country to discuss the economic stimulus.
The Senate is meeting today to deal with national health care reform.
** NEW ESSAY COMING UP … COMMON THREADS: AVATAR AND THE FILMS OF JAMES CAMERON.
Director James Cameron received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday. The Avatar director was joined at the unveiling ceremony by long-time pals Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and actress Sigourney Weaver.
** FROM THE ARNOLD FILE. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is in Los Angeles and Sacramento today.
At noon, he holds a press conference with Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully to announce $26.5 million in awards to counties across the state to help combat and reduce fraud in the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program.
The event will be webcast live on www.gov.ca.gov.
Schwarzenegger honored director James Cameron, whose new science fiction epic Avatar — an immersive, highly detailed 3D experience — opened around the world yesterday, at a Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Friday.
Cameron and Schwarzenegger worked together on The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and True Lies.
I expect them to work together again in the future.
The Canadian-born Cameron has also directed Titanic, The Abyss, and Aliens.
In its opening weekend, the nearly three-hour long Avatar grossed over $242 million worldwide. The studio calls this the “highest original content (non-sequel, non-franchise) opening weekend ever.” That included $77.35 million in domestic box office, depressed some by the massive snowstorm on the East Coast, yet still the highest December opening in history.
** 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 to aid 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. … From my December 16th column.
** 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? …
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. … 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.
** 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 $74 per barrel.
This is up about $40 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 (33) |
Obama’s Copenhagen speech is good and realistic.
The Senators look happy with last night’s health care vote.
Sigourney Weaver is a hoot!
Barack got all that was to be gotten in Copenhagen. Critics need to get a life.
Jonas Blane says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:23 am
Obama’s Copenhagen speech is good and realistic.
This is a great win for Barack and the country!
Jonas Blane says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:25 am
The Senators look happy with last night’s health care vote.
I’ll see “Avatar” tonight.
Jonas Blane says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:27 am
Sigourney Weaver is a hoot!
lol
— and incidentally, let me now quote Lane Pryce from the Mad Men season finale: “Very good, Happy Christmas!” —
I don’t get it.
It’s better than nothing.
Jonas Blane says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:25 am
The Senators look happy with last night’s health care vote.
A ringing endorsement, to be sure …
It’s what Pryce says to his now ex-boss in London as he slams down the phone, having executed a coup against him.
> Len says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:33 am (Edit)
I don’t get it.
Indeed.
> Ann says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:56 am (Edit)
lol
— and incidentally, let me now quote Lane Pryce from the Mad Men season finale: “Very good, Happy Christmas!” —
She’s terrific.
> Jonas Blane says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:27 am (Edit)
Sigourney Weaver is a hoot!
As well they might.
> Jonas Blane says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:25 am (Edit)
The Senators look happy with last night’s health care vote.
I missed that.
Bill Bradley says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:59 am
It’s what Pryce says to his now ex-boss in London as he slams down the phone, having executed a coup against him.
> Len says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:33 am (Edit)
I don’t get it.
Bill Bradley says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:59 am
Indeed.
> Ann says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:56 am (Edit)
lol
— and incidentally, let me now quote Lane Pryce from the Mad Men season finale: “Very good, Happy Christmas!” —
Additional video today?
Where’s Schwarzeneger?
There’s Schwarzei.
What was that gabble?
It has a lot of lefties whining.
Jonas Blane says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:23 am
Obama’s Copenhagen speech is good and realistic.
That’s pretty whack. I like it.
Bill Bradley says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:59 am
It’s what Pryce says to his now ex-boss in London as he slams down the phone, having executed a coup against him.
> Len says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:33 am (Edit)
I don’t get it.
Arnold looked nervous at that Hollywood deal. Did he think Cameron was going to yell at him? I take the week off so I’ll see Avatar one of these nights.
Jonas Blane says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:27 am
Sigourney Weaver is a hoot!
I am very happy to see President Obama has a large victory.
What new video today?
Health care and terror.
It will be a good one.
> sergei says:
December 22, 2009 at 1:00 am (Edit)
I am very happy to see President Obama has a large victory.
Looking forward to the take.
> Jack Aubrey says:
December 21, 2009 at 4:27 pm (Edit)
Arnold looked nervous at that Hollywood deal. Did he think Cameron was going to yell at him? I take the week off so I’ll see Avatar one of these nights.
Jonas Blane says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:27 am
Sigourney Weaver is a hoot!
There’s a lot of that lately.
> Jack Aubrey says:
December 21, 2009 at 4:23 pm (Edit)
It has a lot of lefties whining.
Jonas Blane says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:23 am
Obama’s Copenhagen speech is good and realistic.
It was a cool moment.
> Capitol Boy says:
December 21, 2009 at 11:23 am (Edit)
I missed that.
Bill Bradley says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:59 am
It’s what Pryce says to his now ex-boss in London as he slams down the phone, having executed a coup against him.
> Len says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:33 am (Edit)
I don’t get it.
Bill Bradley says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:59 am
Indeed.
> Ann says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:56 am (Edit)
lol
— and incidentally, let me now quote Lane Pryce from the Mad Men season finale: “Very good, Happy Christmas!” —
wow what a interesting post , its really
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