Articles by David Roberts

David Roberts was a staff writer for Grist. You can follow him on Twitter, if you're into that sort of thing.

All Articles

  • Are the politics of public investment really easier?

    I'm somewhat dismayed to see the normally sharp Ezra Klein falling for the goofiest parts of the new Breakthrough/Brookings/AEI report. In fact he seems on the verge of drinking the Breakthrough kool-aid entirely. Consider this my attempt at an intervention. In particular, I want to take issue with the notion that investment is some sort of political skeleton key that can bypass the vicious partisan fighting that's characterized energy policy these last few decades.

    David Roberts Politics

  • There is no one correct climate policy

    One of the most important lessons from the implosion of cap-and-trade is that monocrops are as dangerous in policy as they are in nature. It's time to get over the notion that climate/energy efforts need to "revolve around" any single policy strategy. More importantly, we need to leapfrog the noxious notion that different policy approaches are at war with one another. We need them all.

    David Roberts Politics

  • The incredible shrinking Manchin

    West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin is running for the Senate and running scared from the Tea Party. In his latest ad he shoots cap-and-trade legislation. With a rifle. Here's why he's flailing to the right and why he's wrong about everything.

    David Roberts Politics

  • Telling the truth about climate change is good politics

    The GOP has united in rejecting climate science. Dems should tell the truth about climate change, without apology. It's smart long-term politics.

    David Roberts Politics