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Ninth time’s the charm?

Yesterday, for the eighth time this session, the Senate took up the extension of the critical tax credits for solar and wind. The Republicans filibustered and the cloture vote failed. Read the sordid story here.

Congress is now adjourning for a summer vacation. While our representatives recharge their batteries, we think they should be thinking about America's batteries. Take action here.

Ads from Sierra Club and MoveOn hit McCain over energy policy

“Big Oil companies have our economy and politics in a choke hold,” says a new TV ad released today by the Sierra Club Political Committee. “They are getting billions from the government, raking in record profits, while we pay more and more for gas.” “John McCain’s answer?” the ad continues. “Another $4 billion giveaway to […]

New Obama ad responds to McCain’s Britney ad

Barack Obama is hammering back after John McCain ran an ad comparing him to Britney Spears. In a new ad of his own, Obama accuses the Republican candidate of taking “the low road.” “John McCain: Same old politics, same failed policies,” says the ad, before touting Obama’s plans to grant a $1,000 middle-class tax, fight […]

McCain compares Obama to Britney and Paris in new energy ad

In the ongoing energy ad battle, John McCain released another television ad today on the subject. Or at least it purports to be about energy. The ad juxtaposes video of Obama at his recent speech in Berlin with photos of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, and alleges that while he might be celebrated the world […]

Obama responds to McCain’s ‘Pump’ ad with call for higher mileage standards and renewables

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama released a new television ad on energy prices yesterday — a direct response to John McCain’s recent ad blaming Obama for high gas prices. “Have you seen John McCain’s TV ad?” the Obama ad asks. “John McCain is blaming Barack Obama for gas prices. The same old politics.” “Barack Obama […]

Richard Cizik and enviro religious leaders speak to Grist on climate leadership

Evangelicals have been absent without leave from the climate change discussion, failing to push the Republican Party to take the issue seriously, according to Richard Cizik, the vice president for governmental affairs at the National Association of Evangelicals. Evangelicals, Cizik said, are looking for "prophetic leadership" to champion the climate cause. Surprisingly, he said that voice may not come from traditional conservative circles.

"The advantage that Barack Obama brings to the equation is that he doesn't have the rest of his party -- a significant wing of his party -- telling him to go slow or do nothing," Cizik told Grist last week when he was in Seattle for an exhibition of wildlife photography at the Burke Museum on the University of Washington campus. He stopped by Grist's office with LeeAnne Beres of Earth Ministry and Peter Illyn of Restoring Eden to discuss the need for religion to engage in the climate debate and take responsibility for its lack of action on the "moral and spiritual problems" of climate change.

Evangelicals AWOL from climate debate

2008 presidential race

Though unwilling to endorse any political candidate and open about his personal alliances to the GOP, Cizik did express his disapproval of the Republican party's stick-in-the-mud attitude toward climate change. He called for "bold action," and rejected the "climate-light Bushisms" that the party has been dangling before the American people. He said he "always liked John McCain for his green stand," but recognized Barack Obama as the "greener" candidate who could take climate action without having to drag his party along kicking and screaming.

A pro-life view of creation

Known primarily for focusing on abortion and other social issues, Evangelicals are latecomers to the climate debate. However, as Illyn said, "creation care" can be considered a way to strengthen and enlarge the pro-life vision.

Illyn also acknowledged Barack Obama for his climate positions, but he's not eager to give up on John McCain:

Four encouraging signs from Big Oil’s backyard

After Nerdi Gras (Netroots Nation), I took a couple days off to dry-out and trotted over to Houston to visit my parents. It came as no surprise that Houston is booming due to the skyrocketing price of oil. But I also learned a few surprising things that gave me hope that brighter days are ahead for the rest of us well. Because if Houston can get it right, who can't?

Energy-smart Debbie

One of the more impressive speakers I saw at Netroots Nation was Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook, who spoke on the Energize America panel with an amazing depth of knowledge and blunt honesty. She’s running this year against the far-right Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.). TPM caught up with her for a brief interview:

Dem presidential candidate calls on world to unite to fight climate change

Obama spoke at the Brandenburg Gate yesterday; 100,000 people were expected, 200,000 showed up. This is the moment when we must come together to save this planet. Let us resolve that we will not leave our children a world where the oceans rise and famine spreads and terrible storms devastate our lands. Let us resolve […]