Last night came the surprising news that Speaker Pelosi is speeding the comprehensive clean energy and climate protection bill to the House floor this week despite uncertainty whether it will pass. And today, President Obama sought to boost the bill’s chances by opening his news conference with a strong endorsement for the compromise, deeming it “historic legislation that will transform the way we produce and use energy in America,” signaling to skittish congresspeople that there will be presidential political cover.
Yet as David Roberts incredulously observed, the White House press corps could not muster one question about the bill for the president. In turn, the early news coverage of the press conference has buried the climate news.
The meager press attention is warning: if we want to spark grassroots pressure to move congressional fence-sitters off the fence, we’re likely going to have to do it without the help of the traditional media letting people know that the bill actually exists.
Presumably, Al Gore has an idea up his sleeve, which he will share at the Repower America conference call tonight at 8 PM ET, and you can sign up to participate here.
