Lieberman Tasked With Leading Climate Change Negotiations

[Mass]

Bad news for climate change. I am not sure what this means for Kerry's input in the bill,

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/11/lieberman-tasked-with-lea_n_608936.html

Leading Democratic senators tasked Joe Lieberman on Thursday with finding a compromise measure that would satisfy a diverse caucus split between doing energy-only legislation or a more comprehensive approach to climate change, Democratic aides said.

The full Democratic caucus will meet this coming Thursday to decide a way forward. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) met with the chairs of the committees with jurisdiction over climate change legislation on Thursday, where several pressed Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) to drop his effort to pass comprehensive legislation this year, arguing that the 60 votes needed simply aren't there.

Evidence of such soft support came later that afternoon, when only 53 Democrats voted to allow the EPA to regulate carbon as an air pollutant.

It wasn't clear, said people briefed on the meeting, if Kerry was still committed to pursuing full climate change legislation this year. But in the meantime, Lieberman, an independent Democrat from Connecticut, was asked to work with Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) to find a compromise.

Lieberman is a cosponsor, along with Kerry, of the leading effort in the Senate to address climate change. That bill, which had been known as Kerry-Lieberman-Graham, collapsed when the Graham leg of the stool backed away, questioning the legitimacy of climate change science. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) had up until then been the Democrats' best hope of finding Republican support.

Late last year, Bingaman's energy committee approved a bipartisan energy bill that is seen to have a legitimate chance of passage this year, if Democrats decide to move in that direction. Bringing in Baucus, chairman of the Finance Committee, would allow tax-incentive portions of Kerry-Lieberman to be blended with Bingaman's bill.

[beachmom]

1. Just speculation, but it seems to me that there is a push for energy only legislation.

Kerry simply cannot go along with that, and that is why Lieberman will do it. I suppose Kerry will have to hold his nose and vote for it, but what a big disappointment this must be for him.

[karynnj]

3. I agree that this has to be a huge disappointment to Kerry

Here is another article on the meeting, which has a different view. I don't know if Mass's article is newer information - which might be the case as it lists who is involved.

http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/102605-reid-claims-resolve-among-dems-on-energy-but-acknowledges-differing-views

I will not be surprised if it is true, but considering the Schumer episode and the fact that Grim seems to have Schumer as his source on things - I hope it is premature. One thing that might make that more likely is that this does not appear to be an announced situation and Ryan Grim of Huffington Post is not one of the most likely people to be given the story first.

Here is the NYT article from 6 hours ago, with some nice details and inferences on yesterday's vote. http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/06/11/11climatewire-effort-to-block-epa-fails-revealing-murky-pa-31482.html

Three hours after HP, there is no other article saying this.

[karynnj]

2. It sounds like they are undercutting even what Schumer spoke of

If true - and this is Ryan Grim (BLM was right last time - Schumer's guy), this really is a slap in the face for Kerry.

Reading between the lines, it seems that they could not push Kerry to abandon a comprehensive bill - and the compromise they want will have Lieberman as the environmental one. It might be that Kerry is unwilling to put out a bill that would likely contain all the freebies for fossil fuel, with no price for carbon. He did speak of the current bill having put each of them outside their zone of comfort - it might be that he is completely uncomfortable with the type of bill the leadership now wants.

One of the commenters at that link wrote:

Translation ...... LIEberman tasked with turning bill into fossil fuel corporation welfare plan.

It seemed to me, that the it was mostly trust in Kerry that was keeping the portion of environmentalists backing it with them. If they actually do not have even the relatively week carbon pricing plan, I assume Kerry might be the one to make sure they don't stop regional and state efforts or the EPA's efforts.

[blm]

4. notice the leading Dems weren't named....Schumer supplied this story....Grim is his stenographer.

If you went by Grim's healthcare reporting, Schumer was the hardest working senator for progressive healthcare. But....notice Schumer wasn't at the signing of the bill. But, damn, some left bloggers are so easily fooled.

[karynnj]

5. It is weird here that no one else has reported this yet that I can find

by googling. It would be big news as both the NYT and the CSM suggested the possibility that the failure of Murkowski's bill makes a comprehensive bill more likely - as the only way to avoid EPA regulation. The Hill article also had it up in the air. None are optimistic, but I doubt in his heart, Senator Kerry is either.

[wisteria]

13. I think you have Shumer figured out pretty well. n/t

[karynnj]

6. Graham is walking back from the not sure on the science stuff, but still against the bill

To me he sounds like he is edging away from the comments on not being sure on global warming - but he is backing Lugar's bill which says it is climate change, but does far too little. http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/06/11/climate.change.legislation/

Still no other article backing Grim's. I would think it big news if Kerry were out as one of the negotiators - so I think Grim printed something that is not necessarily true -- at least yet.

[karynnj]

7. Latest NYT article - depressing, but not as depressing as Grim's

Mr. Reid has asked top committee leaders for ideas on how to structure a package of energy initiatives to bring to the Senate floor in July, a clear sign that he does not believe that the Kerry-Lieberman bill has a chance to pass on its own. An aide said Mr. Reid would refine his strategy this week after meeting with the entire Senate Democratic caucus. Mr. Kerry is to deliver a plea for his broad measure at that session, aides said.

Mr. Graham said that until the causes of the BP oil spill were identified and addressed, he would not vote for any sweeping climate change legislation. Instead, he endorsed a bill introduced last week by Senator Richard G. Lugar, Republican of Indiana, that sets higher fuel economy standards for cars, provides incentives for the development of alternative fuels and imposes stricter efficiency standards on buildings. The Lugar proposal includes no cap on carbon emissions but would seek to reduce greenhouse gas pollution through energy-saving steps.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/science/earth/13climate.html

Graham's comment is insane. I can see logic in saying that he would not vote for an ENERGY bill that has offshore drilling provisions for this reason. Note, it actually is an admission that Lugar's bill is not "sweeping".

[beachmom]

8. Thanks for the follow up.

The situation stinks but I guess I have been bracing for it for months. I kind of wish there would be a vote for K/L, even if it is defeated. I want to see the votes. Graham is pathetic, and the thing is he is a smart guy who I have grudgingly respected (he really kicked everyone's butt in those torture hearings much to my dismay). But this turnaround is bizarre and it's not going to help him electorally. His state, South Carolina, is nuts.

[Inuca]

9. Bizarre is indeed

the best word to describe Graham. I agree with you that he is smart and in his own bizarre way often well intentioned, i.e., he means what he says and has the guts to say what he means. That is unfortunately rare and is admirable. But on this issue as in the past he at times behaves in a way that seems to defy reason.

[beachmom]

10. FWIW (probably not much), David Corn doesn't think Kerry is out of the game:

http://twitter.com/DavidCornDC/status/16148984255

Trading in Washington today? Obama, hold. Steele, sell. Kerry, buy. Lieberman, buy. Jeff Greene, buy. #DCticker

[karynnj]

11. Cool - as you said - FWIW

[Inuca]

12. More hopeful signs

from DKos http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/6/14/875828/-Obama-pushing-clean-energy-bill

In addition, while tomorrow's presidential address on the national response to BP's oil disaster will focus on relief efforts for the Gulf Coast, Mike Allen reports it will also highlight the urgency of passing comprehensive clean energy legislation.

According to Allen, the administration is insisting that any energy legislation focus on the urgency of breaking our addiction to fossil fuels.

A Senate Democratic leadership aide tells Playbook that the administration has told Sens. Kerry and Lieberman, who last month introduced an “American Power Act,” that an energy deal MUST include some serious effort to price carbon as a way to slow climate change.

[karynnj]

14. Two more articles on the likelihood of passing something

Here is Politico's assessment. It says, "Last week, Reid ordered Kerry and Lieberman to start working with Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, to figure out a winning formula.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38526.html#ixzz0qvIxCVmN

(Now the real reason I post this one is because they have one of the best Kerry photos I've seen in a long time - yeah, I know that is shallow.)

The Hill has this article on both the climate legislation and the Start treaty. He really does have a huge amount on his plate. They label him the "player of the week", which he really is more weeks than he gets credit for.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) has a lot on his plate, and this is a pivotal week for two pieces of high-profile legislation he wants.

Kerry, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, needs at least eight Republicans to back a strategic arms treaty with Russia.
<snip>
Kerry has put in the hours to move his climate legislation, but political momentum is working against him, as Senate Democrats are considering moving an energy bill without climate provisions.

Kerry’s effort to move START has a better chance than his climate measure, but just getting one of the two to pass Congress this year would be impressive.

I wonder if Voinivich might be the "second" Republican. He is not running for re-election and the missile defense stuff is bogus. Corker, who has been better than other Republicans and more engaged than lots of Democrats, is another hope - though he might be too ambitious to go against McConnell. On climate change, I guess we have to hope that with Obama's help, we can get something that prices carbon. Collins joined with Cantwell to do so with their bill and Kerry did move to use many of their ideas. The question is how many Democrats Obama could push. (I don't see him getting Lincoln.) The elections being close is a problem - though about two thirds of the Senate are not up for re-election. (There are so many appointed Senators running that it might be a bit higher.)

http://thehill.com/opinion/editorials/103115-player-of-the-week-sen-john-kerry-d-mass

[karynnj]

15. The Hill has another curious article - that speaks of Kerry's ability to work with former enemies

To me, this is curious because it is seriously challenging several of the worst (and untrue) attacks on Kerry. Especially that he is aloof or that that he is loner. He is portrayed as very serious, purposeful and gracious, putting the country ahead of personal grudges. (Now, I think it ironic that the article ignores all have severe character flaws Lieberman, Pickens and Graham. It is strange that Kerry has to defend supporting the DEMOCRATIC candidate in the general election in CT.) Still, I wonder why this article now. The optimist in me hopes is that insiders think their is a better chance than what we see on the surface. It could just be grudging admiration for Kerry as a person. The person the media hid from sight in 2004.

Anyway,

Kerry’s personable approach to putting together a coalition to pass climate change legislation cuts against his reputation as one of the Senate’s more aloof members.

“It’s just a misunderstanding,” said David DiMartino, a former aide who served Kerry over five years. “He approaches things with a level of seriousness that people mistake for aloofness.

“Kerry worked 25 years in the shadow of Ted Kennedy, who was a perennial Senate backslapper,” DiMartino added. “Kerry was always taken as someone a little detached. The reality is he spends a lot of time on his relationships. He’s loyal to the people he works with.”

<snip>
Chris Greeley, a former aide and longtime friend of Kerry’s, said, “Those who know him and those who experienced that graciousness civility — they know that getting the job done is bigger than any personal grudge.”

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/103145-sen-kerry-mends-fences-with-pickens-lieberman

(A little sadness reading this because every Kerry trait shown here - graciousness, civility, purpose, seriousness, loyalty, honesty are all what we say we want. Yet, look at the left's or right's "rock stars". Most are the opposite. )

[MBS]

16. this quote seemed to be right on the money

“He approaches things with a level of seriousness that people mistake for aloofness."

I think this is absolutely right. Sometimes (OK, maybe always), the Washington political circus seems to me exactly as shallow and juvenile as junior high school

Nice to see those two former aides not only "getting" JK, but explaining him to the shallow press. .and having their insights passed on

[YvonneCa]

20. Could it be that the press...

...is finally waking up? Maybe questioning old assumptions and looking for truth? Or is that too much to hope for... :7

[Inuca]

17. JK tweeting 5 minutes ago

(thanks beachmom :-))

EPA analysis of APA back: saves Americans money on energy bills.
http://kerry.senate.gov/press/release/?id=bf231888-4ec9-4377-af2b-df5b81adf23f

[ProSense]

19. Cool, this is getting coverage.

Dave Roberts at Grist: A analysis of Senate climate bill shows modest costs, omits benefits

Posted Kerry's statement here

[ProSense]

18. EPA assessment is in

Article posted here

It's also in LBN.

[karynnj]

21. yesterday, my husband and I saw a documentary on the Senate

http://www.philanthropynewyork.org/s_nyrag/doc_event.asp?CID=117&DID=39300

This documentary had incredible access following Senators, staff, lobbyists, advocates etc on the 2006 effort to get a Senate bill on immigration. Kennedy was even more awesome than I remembered when seen close up - as was his staff. Relevence to current day? Reid and Schumer at one point intentionally killed the bill - with one advocate repeating that Schumer thought it could give them 5 more seats. This would be so because with that bill dead, Sennsebrenner's awful bill - also dead with no Senate counterpart would hurt the Republicans. (Both Kennedy and McCain and their staffs were furious. Kennedy called it politics winning out over policy - publicly and he refused to attend the Democratic press conference. )

Remember this was in the time of "Hey, John" and when the Democrats bashed Kerry on Kerry/Feingold.

One other thought, one of the others angry over what Reid and Schumer did was Graham. Could the Sxchumer push to rush immigration have been deja vue for him?

[beachmom]

22. That is good info to know. nt