Incredibly, there are still no signs that the massive environmental calamity in the Gulf will prove a real game changer, as the Beltway cliche has it, in the Senate's ongoing climate change debate. President Obama, for instance, has not used the spill in any meaningful sense to rally the public behind energy reform.
Now a very high profile figure is stepping forward to urge Obama to do just that: Actor and environmental activist Robert Redford.
Redford is starring in a new ad, to be unveiled today, urging Obama to show leadership on the issue. The spot is being aired by the Natural Resources Defence Council on national and D.C. cable, and an official sends over the Redford script:
The Gulf disaster is more than a terrible oil spill. It's the product of a failed energy policy...one that puts oil company profits ahead of people and the environment.
America needs safe, clean and renewable energy -- not more oil spills.
That means politicians in Washington have a choice: keep bowing to the demands of Big Oil, or stand up for the American people.
You can tip the balance.
Tell President Obama to lead America toward a clean energy future.
I've watched the video, which I'll have for you shortly, and as always, Redford is very compelling. In addition to the NRDC, other groups to be at today's presser are League of Conservation Voters and the Blue-Green Alliance, an enviro-labor partnership. They will be urging Obama to use his bully pulpit and his sway over elected officials to push the Senate to act on climate change this year.
The push suggests that environmental groups are going to ratchet up the pressure on Obama to seize on one of the most devastating environmental disasters in history to change the conversation on energy once and for all. Good.
