AP ID: 090729017674
DCL
John Kerry may forever be best known as the 'elite liberal' who failed to dethrone Bush in 2004, and whispers of 'botox' and 'swift boat' might forever lurk around his persona. But he's hands down one of the best proponents for climate action in Congress, and one of the most effective. He's been instrumental in getting legislation moving in the Senate, and is a savvy political negotiator—and the American people should listen when he talks about climate change.
This week, he revealed the climate bill he drafted with Barbara Boxer, and so far, it appears to be a solid, well-designed bill. And while there are many climate action proponents in Congress, Kerry has a flair for framing the issue well. Take, for instance, this excerpt from his op-ed in Politico:
Reinventing the way we use energy can also be the cornerstone for decades of economic growth and a stronger, more powerful America. Today, 15 million Americans are out of work. We send $1 billion per day overseas to feed our oil addiction. Scientists and generals warn that climate change caused by carbon pollution threatens our health and our national security. Each of these factors weakens America.
Kerry understands the scope of climate change--he recognizes that it will impact national security, and also knows that can be a strong way to pique interest in climate legislation. He's also aware that perhaps the strongest selling point for climate legislation is that it'd move us away from our dependence on foreign oil.
He didn't include the words 'cap and trade''—words that are oft-maligned by those convinced that a climate bill is nothing but a tax—a single time in his legislation. His bill is also smartly designed to entice moderates to support it: there's nuclear power measures for GOPers like McCain who've long called for it, no tough regulations on agriculture to appease the powerful ag lobby, and an easier-to-use carbon offset scheme.
Of course, these provisions weaken the bill a bit, but right now, it's this blogger's belief that we have to get a bill passed as soon as possible—to show the international community the US is serious about fighting climate change, and to ramp up the regulations later. John Kerry seems to be of the same school of thought—which is why it's worth watching how he weighs in on the great climate debate.
