Representative Baldwin has perfect response to Bush's climate speech

Representative Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin responded yesterday to Bush's speech on climate change, and she hit it right on the money.

“On September 12, 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed America’s goal of putting a man on the moon in that decade. In that famous speech, he not only set out the goal, but announced a commitment to invest the resources needed to achieve it within eight years. He did so even though he acknowledged it was “in some measure an act of faith and vision,” because no one knew what the future would hold.

Today, America is facing a real crisis--with oil supplies limited, prices of oil and gasoline skyrocketing, and climate change threatening serious damage to our planet. The benefits of energy independence and security would clearly be significant.

When President Bush addressed the nation today to outline his new global warming strategy, he had the opportunity to provide the same kind of bold leadership shown by President Kennedy, but he did not.

Instead, he offered vague proposals that fall far short of what is necessary to meaningfully curb greenhouse gas emissions. He is offering conditional measures when we need concrete solutions to end our dependence on fossil fuels.

What we need and what President Bush has failed to provide again today is bold leadership. American and global research has already resulted in amazing ingenuity in innovation as we design new technologies that reduce our energy use and lower our greenhouse gas emissions. With additional investment, incentives and a serious commitment to addressing this challenge—similar to the commitment made by President Kennedy—we will see significant results within 10 years.

While President Bush is finally talking about the problem in real terms, I am disappointed that he is apparently unwilling to act with real leadership.”